Autism Treatment

There is no cure  for autism; however, with appropriate treatment  and education,  many children with the disorder can learn  and develop. Early intervention  often can reduce challenges associated with the disorder, lessen disruptive behavior, and provide some degree of independence. 

Treatment depends  on the individual needs of the  patient. In most cases, a combination of treatment methods is more effective. Autism usually requires lifelong treatment. 

Occupational therapy  and physical therapy  are sometimes used to treat autism. Occupational therapy helps improve independent function and teaches basic skills (e.g., buttoning a shirt, bathing). Physical therapy involves using exercise and other physical measures (e.g., massage, heat) to help patients control body movements. 

Treatment includes the following: 

• Behavior modification 
• Communication therapy 
• Dietary modifications 
• Medication  
• Behavior modification 

There are several methods  of behavior modification that  are used to treat inappropriate, repetitive, and aggressive behavior and to provide autistic  patients with skills necessary  to function in their environment. Most types of behavior modification are based on the theory  that rewarded behavior is more likely to be repeated than behavior that is ignored. This theory is called applied behavior analysis (ABA). 

Behavior modification often involves highly structured, skill-oriented activities that are based on the patient's needs and interests. It usually requires intense, one-on-one training  with a therapist and extensive caregiver involvement. 

Sensory integration therapy is a type  of behavior modification that focuses on helping autistic  patients cope with sensory stimulation. Treatment may include  having the patient handle materials with different textures or listen to different sounds. 

Social interaction is often affected  by limited emotional development  that is common in autistic patients. Play therapy is  a type of behavior modification that is used  to improve emotional development, which in turn, improves social skills  and learning. Play therapy involves adult-child interaction  that is controlled by  the child. 

Social stories can  also be used to improve undeveloped social skills. Stories are designed to help autistic patients understand  the feelings, ideas,  and points of view of others, or to suggest an alternate response to a particular situation. They also  may be used to help patients understand  and cope with their own feelings. Behavioral therapists can teach caregivers how to develop social stories. 

Communication therapy 

Communication therapy  is used  to treat autistic patients who are unable  to communicate verbally,  or to initiate language development  in young children with  the disorder. Speech therapy may be used  to help patients gain  the ability to speak. 

Picture exchange communication systems (PECS) enable autistic patients  to communicate using pictures that represent ideas, activities, or items. The patient is able  to convey requests, needs, and desires to others by simply handing them a picture. 

Dietary modifications 

Autism is not caused by diet  and the use of dietary modifications  and supplements  to treat the disorder is controversial. Changing  the diet or adding vitamin supplements  may improve digestion  and eliminate food intolerances  or allergies, which may contribute to behavioral problems in autistic patients. 

Researchers have found elevated levels of proteins found in wheat, oats and rye (gluten) and casein (protein in dairy products) byproducts in patients with autism, suggesting  that the incomplete breakdown or excessive absorption  of these substances may affect brain function. Eliminating foods that contain gluten  and casein from  the diet may cause side effects  and should not be done without  the advice of a health care practitioner. 

Studies have shown that vitamin B, magnesium (improves  the effects  of vitamin B), and cod liver oil supplements (which contain vitamins A and D) may improve behavior, eye contact, attention span, and learning  in autistic patients. Vitamin C has been shown  to improve depression and lessen the severity of symptoms in patients  with autism. 

Autism Prognosis 

Patients with autism have normal life expectancies. With early intervention  and appropriate treatment, some autistic patients can function productively and attain some degree of independence. Most patients require lifelong assistance.