Autism

Because research and understanding of autism is still fairly new, there has not been enough time to find concrete answers on why and how to fix or prevent autism. There are number of different current approaches that are still in trials. The following are approaches that have shown improvement in some capacity, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Sensory integration therapy uses sounds and materials to help to rehabilitate children with autism. Play therapy is therapist to child play time directed by the child to foster social skills. Social stories therapy is taught by the therapist to the child and to the child’s caregivers to help them navigate through social situations.

Nutritional Therapy is controversial because the results are inconclusive. What is known is that outbursts or temper tantrums could be induced by indigestion or food allergies, so adjusting a child’s nutritional intake could alleviate some of the outbursts.

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps a child build mental processes or constructs on how to do normal social activities.

Early intervention is crucial in order to maximize the rehabilitation for each autistic child. The sooner the child can start therapy, the more prevention or intervention can take place.

Education and school based therapies can help teach basic functions to children, and allow them to assimilate into a normal life.

There has not been an effective medication created to alleviate symptoms of autism, or to develop cognitive growth. Some antipsychotic medications and attention medications have been used, but not consistently and only for extreme cases of autism.

Occupational therapy, like educations/school based therapies, helps a child one-on-one with daily life skills and social skills. Appropriate conversations, how to brush ones teeth, and how to make a bed, are examples of what an occupational therapist could introduce to an autistic child.

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