While information is plentiful, understanding the proper autism treatment is a work in progress. There are still many unanswered questions about how and why autism happens. There are currently no medical tests available for diagnosing autism, commonly referred to as "autistic spectrum disorder".
A diagnosis is based upon behavior and developmental history. Autism does have specific patterns of behavior that doctors look for. However, not all autistic children display the "typical" autistic behavior. Some children may have some of the behaviors, but not all of them, which can sometimes delay the official diagnosis of autism. The one thing that all experts can agree on is the importance of early treatment and intervention programs. Early intervention can offer significant improvement in symptomatic behavior and can improve the overall prognosis.
Understanding proper autism treatment requires an understanding of the importance that must be placed on the proper environment. A high quality treatment plan for a young child includes 25 hours per week of intensive interaction with other children and therapists in a tightly controlled setting offering highly structured daily routines, and visual cues. Visual cues can show the child through the use of pictures or drawings, the sequences in their daily activities, and what the child can expect. Because deviation from routines can cause anxiety, advance preparation for any kind of deviation from the normal routine is part of the treatment plan. Visual cues are used to compensate for language deficits experienced by autistic children. These are sometimes also referred to in autism treatment environments as visual schedules.
Understanding proper autism treatment must include a basic understanding of the disorders that commonly go along with the autism diagnosis. ADHD, depression, OCD, behavioral problems and anxiety are all conditions that are commonly associated with autism. These conditions can be treated with medications that will ease symptoms. Diet and vitamin supplementation are also widely thought to have a role in easing some symptoms associated with autism for some people. A reduction of gluten in the diet, and an increase in B vitamins, are the most common adaptations when utilizing these options. Scientific data is not clear on how or why this treatment works for some people. For some people this small adjustment eases symptoms and can provide a degree of relief.
Understanding the proper autism treatment can make a significant difference in the overall severity of the condition, and the ability of people with autism to learn the strategies necessary to enable them to reach their highest possible potential.
0 comments:
Post a Comment