Treatment of Autism

Therapies and behavioral interventions designed to remedy specific symptoms are vital to the treatment of autism. Treatment of autism can also involve medications. Most professionals agree that the sooner the treatment of autism begins, the better.

 

Treatment of Autism: An Overview

There is no cure for autism. Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement.
 
The ideal autism treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism:
 
  • Impaired social interaction
  • Problems with verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Obsessive or repetitive routines and interests.
     
Most professionals agree that the earlier the treatment of autism begins, the better.
 

Treatment of Autism: Educational/Behavioral Interventions

Treatment of autism involves educational/behavior interventions. Therapists use highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training sessions to help children develop social and language skills. Family counseling for the parents and siblings of children with autism often helps families cope with the particular challenges of living with an autistic child.
 

Medications for the Treatment of Autism

Treatment of autism can also involve medications to treat specific symptoms. For example, doctors often prescribe an antidepressant medication to handle symptoms of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
 
Antipsychotic medications are used to treat severe behavioral problems. Seizures can be treated with one or more of the anticonvulsant drugs.
 
Stimulant drugs, such as those used for children with attention deficit disorder (ADD), are sometimes used effectively to help decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity.
 
(Treatment of Autism Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD