Treatment Options for Autism

1. Treatment Options for Autism It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the village. – Elaine Hall Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder refers to a range of condition characterized by challenges with social skills, speech and nonverbal communication, repetitive behaviors and unique strengths and differences. Each autistic patient is unique. No two children on the autism spectrum are the same, so each autism intervention plan is tailored to address specific problems. Autistic treatments: An Overview Autistic children face two major distinctive features – difficulty with communication and social interactions, and tendency and repetitive & restricted interests, activities and behaviors which may be even included over or under-sensitivity to sound, smell, light, and touch. Autism can be diagnosed at an early age of 18 months. The signs usually become to appear at the age of 2-3. Early intervention is necessary to address autism spectrum disorder. Though there are no medications to cure ASD or treat its core symptoms, there are medications available to help people with ASD function better. For example, medication helps autistic patient manage energy levels, depression, seizures and inability to focus. But, medication does not affect all the children in the same way. In fact, this is true for all treatment options including therapies for autism. Let us take a quick look of major treatment options to address autistic spectrum disorder. Early intervention treatment It can greatly improve a child’s development. Early intervention helps children from 2-3 years old learn important skills. The treatment includes therapy to help the autistic child talk, walk and interact with each other. Stem cell therapy Stem cell therapy has given a new dimension to the treatment of autism and has been very successful among many children. In this process, stem cells collected and preserved through Cryoviva cord blood banking is used. Umbilical cord-derived stem cells are considered ideal for the treatment as they eliminate the arduous process of bone marrow stem cell collection and allow doctors to administer uniform doses of stem cells.

2. Behavior and communication approaches It helps the children with ASD to provide structure, organization, and direction. It takes multiple therapies into account, like: Applied behavior analysis (ABA) Relationship-based approach Occupational therapy Sensory integration therapy Speech therapy The picture exchange communication system (PECS) Dietary approaches Some therapists have also developed dietary approaches. It includes biomedical interventions call for changes in diet, like removing certain types of food from child’s diet and use mineral and vitamin supplements. Complementary treatments To lessen the symptoms of ASD, some parents use complementary treatments which might include special diets, biologicals or body-based systems. It is important for parents to understand that autism is often a lifelong condition and the cure for Autism Spectrum Disorder varies from one child to another.