All about treatments for autism
There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for autism therapy, and intervention since every child or adult with autism has different strengths and challenges. For example, sleep disturbances, seizures, and gastrointestinal (GI) problems are common medical concerns among people with autism. Attention, learning, and related behaviors can all benefit from addressing these issues. In addition, many people benefit from therapy to improve their speech, social skills, or motor problems and learn new abilities like eating and self-care.
Meanwhile, you are reading this we have also created a detailed information guide on Autism. To read it please follow the link. Autism Information Guide
Each autism intervention or treatment strategy should be adapted to the individual's unique requirements. Behavioral interventions, other therapies, drugs, or a combination of these can all be part of a person's treatment strategy.
There is currently no cure for ASD; however, numerous therapies for young children have been created and tested. These therapies may help the kid function and participate in the community by reducing symptoms, improving cognitive ability and daily living skills.
People with ASD have unique strengths and limitations in social communication, behavior, and cognitive capacity due to the variances in how ASD impacts each person. As a result, therapy regimens are often interdisciplinary, include parent-mediated interventions, and are tailored to the child's specific requirements.
Behavioral intervention tactics have centered on developing social communication skills, particularly at young ages when children are naturally learning these abilities and the elimination of restricted interests and repetitive and problematic behaviors. In addition, occupational and speech therapy and social skills training and medication may be beneficial to some children. However, the optimum treatment or intervention may change depending on age, skills, challenges, and characteristics.
It is also crucial to realize that children with ASD, like children without ASD, can get sick or hurt. A child's treatment plan should include regular medical and dental checks. It is often difficult to discern whether ASD or another medical problem causes a child's behavior. Headbanging, for example, could be a sign of ASD or a sign that the youngster is suffering from headaches or earaches. In such circumstances, a comprehensive physical examination is required. Monitoring a child's healthy growth entails paying attention not only to ASD symptoms but also to his or her physical and mental health.
The effective interventions for older children and people with ASD are unknown. Although the little study has been done on social skills groups for older children, there is insufficient data to prove successful. More study is needed to examine programs aimed at improving adult outcomes. Furthermore, supports are necessary to assist people with ASD in completing their school or job training, finding work, securing housing and transportation, maintaining their health, improving everyday functioning, and participating as fully as possible in their communities.
Types of Treatments
There are numerous therapy options available. Some options are applied behavior analysis, social skills training, occupational therapy, physical therapy, sensory integration therapy, and assistive technology. The types of treatments generally can be broken down into the following categories:
Behavior and Communication Approaches
Dietary Approaches
Medication
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Behavior and Communication Approaches
Behavior and communication practices that aid children with ASD, according to reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Research Council, are those that provide structure, direction, and organization for the kid, as well as family participation.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Applied behavior analysis is a well-known therapeutic method for people with ASD (ABA). ABA has gained widespread acceptance among healthcare experts and is now employed in various schools and clinics. To enhance a variety of skills, ABA encourages positive behaviors and discourages negative actions. In addition, the progress of the youngster is monitored and measured. ABA comes in a variety of forms. Read more about Behavioural Therapy here. However, some instances are as follows:
Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
DTT is a teaching method in which each stage of a desired action or response is taught through trials. Lessons are simplified down into their simplest components, and successful answers and behaviors are rewarded with positive reinforcement. Incorrect responses are not taken into account.
Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI)
This is a kind of ABA for children with ASD under the age of five and commonly under three. EIBI employs a highly structured training method to promote beneficial behaviors (such as social communication) while reducing undesirable behaviors (such as tantrums, aggression, and self-injury). Under the guidance of a trained expert, EIBI takes place in a one-on-one adult-to-child setting.
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
This is a kind of ABA for children aged 12 to 48 months who have ASD. Parents and therapists use to play and collaborative activities in ESDM to assist children in progressing their social, verbal, and cognitive skills.
Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
PRT attempts to boost a child's motivation to learn, as well as their ability to monitor their conduct and communicate with others. Positive modifications in these behaviors are thought to have a wide range of consequences.
Verbal Behavior Intervention (VBI)
VBI is a kind of ABA that emphasizes the development of verbal abilities.
Other therapies for a kid with ASD that can be included in a comprehensive treatment plan include:
Assistive Technology
People with ASD can benefit from assistive technology such as communication boards and electronic tablets to help them communicate and engage with others. Picture symbols, for example, are used in the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to teach communication skills. The person is taught to ask and answer questions using pictorial symbols and has a conversation. Other people might use a tablet as a voice generator or a communication gadget.
Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-Based Approach (also called "Floortime")
The focus of floortime is on emotional and relational development (feelings and relationships with caregivers). It also considers the child's reactions to sights, noises, and odors.
Visual cues are used in TEACCH to teach skills. Picture cards, for example, can assist a youngster in learning how to dress by breaking down information into tiny steps.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy provides skills that enable a person to live independently as much as feasible. Dressing, eating, bathing, and interacting with others are examples of skills. If you are looking for occupational therapy please follow Occupational Therapy by Daffodil Health
Social Skills Training
Through social skills training, children are taught the abilities they need to connect with others, such as conversation and problem-solving skills.
Speech-Language Pathology
Speech therapy aids in the development of a person's communicative abilities. Some persons can learn verbal communication abilities. However, it is more realistic for others to use gestures or graphic boards. Read more about Speech Therapy here. If you are looking for speech therapy please follow Speech Therapy by Daffodil Health
Dietary Approaches
To address the symptoms of ASD, some dietary interventions have been created. However, a systematic evaluation of 19 randomized control trials published in 2017 showed no evidence to support the use of dietary interventions for children with autism.
Some biological therapies necessitate dietary adjustments. For example, certain foods should be removed from a child's diet, and vitamin and mineral supplements should be used. Dietary treatments are based on the theory that ASD symptoms are caused by food allergies or a lack of vitamins and minerals. In addition, some parents believe that dietary changes affect their child's behavior or feelings.
If you are thinking of modifying your child's food, consult a doctor or a qualified dietitian first to ensure that your child's diet contains the vitamins and minerals required for their growth and development.
Medication
There are no drugs that can cure ASD or alleviate its symptoms. Medications, on the other hand, can help some persons with ASD operate better. Medication may be used to treat symptoms such as excessive energy, inability to focus, anxiety and despair, behavioral reactivity, self-injury, or seizures.
Medications may not have the same effect on all children. Therefore, working with a healthcare provider who has experience treating children with ASD is critical. In addition, while a kid is taking medicine, parents and healthcare providers must regularly watch his or her progress and reactions to ensure that any harmful side effects do not exceed the advantages.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments
Some parents and healthcare professionals employ treatments that pediatricians do not usually suggest to alleviate the symptoms of ASD. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments are what they are called. Products or services utilized in addition to or instead of traditional care are complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). For example, special diets, nutritional supplements, chelation (a treatment to eliminate heavy metals like lead from the body), biologicals (such secretin), and mind-body medicine are options.
Many of these treatments have not been thoroughly researched; a review of chelation trials found some harm and no evidence that it helps treat children with ASD. According to recent research, up to one-third of parents of children with ASD may have tried complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, and up to 10% may be taking a potentially harmful treatment. Consult your child's doctor before beginning any treatment.
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