What are some Autism treatments?

Answer:
A diagnosis of autism can be devastating and

heart breaking for parents. It is an unfamiliar world with many unanswered questions. However, there are treatment programs and support groups that can help a family deal with this affliction.

Once it is felt that a child is suffering from autism, a pediatrician will refer both the parents and the child to someone who specialises in developmental disorders for further assessment. It is up to the caregiver to decide whether they want this specialist to treat the condition or whether to seek treatment elsewhere.

There is no standard treatment for autism in existence. Often, different professionals may have differing views and practices in caring for their patients. It is a good idea to see more than one professional in order to find one that you are comfortable with. Ask family members, friends, and your health care provider for referrals. You can also get in touch with autism support groups for referrals. The Internet is a great place to find this information. This is an important part of dealing with autism.

Be sure to interview specialists in order to find out what kind of treatment programs they will make available to your child. Knowing all of your treatment options will help you in making a decision that you are comfortable with.

Most medical treatments revolve around the treatment of seizures and other behavioral and emotional effects that go along with autism. The newer antipsychotics, such as risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), and quetiapine (Seroquel), are being used in lieu of the older, more traditional antipsychotics, which had more unwanted side effects.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are one class of antidepressants that are often prescribed to treat people with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety. They have also been found to reduce the repetitive behaviors, irritability, tantrums, and aggression that often go along with autism. These SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil). Other antidepressants, such as Clomipramine (Anafranil), Mirtazapine (Remeron), amitriptyline (Elavil), and bupropion (Wellbutrin), are prescribed less frequently.

The most effective treatment programs for children with autism are centered around behavioral therapy. Applied behavioral methods have been shown to improve communication, learning, and adaptive behavior. It also increases the amount of appropriate social behavior while reducing the amount of inappropriate behavior. Studies have proven that beginning these interventions at an early age, usually during the preschool years, makes them more effective. A range of scientifically proven behavioral treatment have been developed for children with autism. These are mainly based on the principles of applied behavior analysis.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is centered around the principle that behavior can be altered by rewarding a desired behavior and not reinforcing less desirable behavior.

Education plays an important role in the treatment of autism as well. Each child that is effected by autism has their own strengths, weaknesses, and functional level. The education program should be developed around these unique qualities and individual requirements.