Treatments

When families and doctors begin looking into available treatment, they are surprised to find that there are many options. Unfortunately, what works for some families, may not work for others. Since individuals with autism disorders are not exactly the same, treatment plans need to be made specific for each individual.


VARIOUS TREATMENT OPTIONS

Early Intervention
Chelation Therapy
Behavior Modification
Dietary Intervention
Vitamins and Supplements
Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Speech Therapy
Music Therapy
Vision Therapy
Canine Companions
Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Myths about Autism

MYTH #1

Autism has a psychological causation, in that the mothers of these children, intentionally or not, did not love their children. The term "refrigerator mother" was born, referring to the fact that the mother was cold toward her child. For many years, this was believed to be the cause of autism. Parents, desperately seeking help for their children, were told by professionals whom they trusted, that they were the cause of the condition. This caused much needless guilt on the part of the parents.

MYTH #2

A common misconception is that children are unloving and do not have any emotional feelings. On the surface this may seem to be the case because children don’t always express their emotions in a way that people recognize. As parents of children with autism, people know that although our children are unable to show their emotions in a traditional way, they certainly do have them and many children with ASD are very attached to their parents. For anyone willing to take the time to recognize them, you will be able to pick up on the ways our children do show emotions and love. It takes looking at things from a different perspective, to see the many ways individuals with autism show their emotions. After all, how do we explain autistic children’s behavioral issues if there are no emotions.


MYTH #3

We’ve all been out to a grocery store or running errands when we come across a child throwing a temper tantrum, including screaming, throwing, and hitting. We may wonder why a mother or father is letting their child do this without any discipline or reprimands. If this is a child with autism, he has most likely lost control due to sensory overload. The sounds, visual stimulation, and the overwhelming crowds are just too much for this child to take in which results in a melt down. Parents are unrightfully blamed for not disciplining their children. Imagine not being able to filter out sounds. So many of us are used to having the power to control what we take in of our environment that we cannot conceive how this child’s brain just went into overload. Individuals with autism often are not able to filter out all the other sounds in the environment, isolate sensitivity issues about bumping into people in crowds, or be capable of sorting out all the visual stimulation that exists around them at once. All this that we take for granted, an individual with autism usually has to handle item by item and sometimes they just can't take it, their brain just gets too confused from all the input, resulting in a "blow out" or "overload". Imagine not being able to filter out sounds. So many of us are used to having the power to control what we take in of our environment that we cannot conceive how this child’s brain just went into overload. Individuals with autism often are not able to filter out all the other sounds in the environment, isolate sensitivity issues about bumping into people in crowds, or be capable of sorting out all the visual stimulation that exists around them at once. All this that we take for granted, an individual with autism usually has to handle item by item and sometimes they just can't take it, their brain just gets too confused from all the input, resulting in a "blow out" or "overload".

Autism Awareness

The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) was most recently revised in 2004 (and, in fact, renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, but most people still refer to it as IDEA). The law mandates that the state provide all eligible children with a free and appropriate public education that meets their unique individual needs. The IDEA specifies that a child is legally entitled to receive early intervention services or special education services if the child meets the state eligibility requirements that define disability. Autism is mentioned specifically in the IDEA as a condition that constitutes a disability. Therefore, if your child has been diagnosed with an ASD, this diagnosis is generally sufficient to determine that your child is entitled to the rights afforded by the IDEA.The IDEA establishes an explicit role for you as a parent in planning and monitoring your child's individual education program. You are entitled to be treated as an equal partner in deciding on an educational plan that contains the elements that your child needs. This provision enables you to be a powerful advocate for your child. It also means that you, as a parent, must be not only an active participant, but an informed and knowledgeable participant of the IDEA process as well.

What it Autism

Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism is characterized by three distinctive behaviors. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, display problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and exhibit repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling. Autism varies widely in its severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or when more debilitating handicaps mask it. Scientists aren’t certain what causes autism, but it’s likely that both genetics and environment play a role.Is there any treatment?There is no cure for autism. Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. Most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.What is the prognosis?For many children, autism symptoms improve with treatment and with age. Some children with autism grow up to lead normal or near-normal lives. Children whose language skills regress early in life, usually before the age of 3, appear to be at risk of developing epilepsy or seizure-like brain activity. During adolescence, some children with autism may become depressed or experience behavioral problems. Parents of these children should be ready to adjust treatment for their child as needed.What research is being done?The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducts research in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and also supports additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. As part of the Children’s Health Act of 2000, the NINDS and three sister institutes have formed the NIH Autism Coordinating Committee to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH’s autism research. More information about the Autism Coordinating Committee is available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/autismiacc/index.cfm. Eight dedicated research centers across the country have been established as “Centers of Excellence in Autism Research” to bring together researchers and the resources they need. The Centers are conducting basic and clinical research, including investigations into causes, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, and treatment of autism.