Autism

Treatment Overview

Early diagnosis and treatment helps young children with autism develop to their full potential. The primary goal of treatment is to improve the overall ability of the child to function.

Symptoms and behaviours of autism can combine in many ways and vary in severity. In addition, individual symptoms and behaviours often change over time. For these reasons, treatment strategies are tailored to individual needs and available family resources. In general, however, children with autism respond best to highly structured and specialized treatment. A program that addresses helping parents and improving communication, social, behavioural, adaptive, and learning aspects of a child's life will be most successful.

Experts in Canada and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend the following strategies for helping a child to improve overall function and reach his or her potential:^{4, 5}

• Behavioural training and management. Behavioural training and management uses positive reinforcement, self-help, and social skills training to improve behaviour and communication. Many types of treatments have been developed, including Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), and sensory integration.
• Specialized therapies. These include speech, occupational, and physiotherapy. These therapies are important components of managing autism and should all be included in various aspects of the child's treatment program. Speech therapy can help a child with autism improve language and social skills to communicate more effectively. Occupational and physiotherapy can help improve any deficiencies in coordination and motor skills. Occupational therapy may also help an autistic child learn to process information from the senses (sight, sound, hearing, touch, and smell) in more manageable ways.

• Medications. Medications are most commonly used to treat related conditions and problem behaviours, including depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and obsessive-compulsive behaviours.
• Community support and parent training. Talk to your doctor or contact an advocacy group for support and training.

Stories about alternative therapies, such as secretin and auditory integration training, have circulated in the media and other information sources. When considering any type of treatment, it is important to know the source of information and to ensure that studies are scientifically sound. Accounts of individual success are not sufficient evidence to support using a treatment. Look for large, controlled studies to validate claims.

Experts have not yet identified a way to prevent autism. Public concern over stories linking autism and childhood vaccines has persisted. However, numerous studies have failed to show any evidence of a link between autism and the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.⁶ If you avoid having your children immunized, you put them and others in your community at risk for developing serious diseases, which can cause serious harm or even death.

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Author:	Carrie Henley Sabra L. Katz-Wise	Last Updated: August 17, 2006
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Fred Volkmar, MD - Child Psychiatry
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