With the numerous treatments designed to treat the different symptoms of the autism spectrum disorders, it can be difficult for a parent to understand which treatments are appropriate for their child. Fortunately, parents are not expected to figure these things out on their own; in fact, they are actually expected to reach out to professionals to figure out which approaches should be used with their child. However, the process does begin with parent and child at home. In order to develop the best treatment, the professional will be at least partially relying on the parents’ report of the child's symptoms and behaviors.

 

First, a parent needs to make note of all the symptoms they observe in their child. The next step is for a parent to take this list of symptoms to their child’s pediatrician or neurological specialist. In order to figure out how to tackle all the symptoms, a full assessment of a child’s strengths and weaknesses must be performed by a team of specialists, which may include a psychologist, physician, psychiatrist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, and/or speech therapist. The specialists will do some assessments to observe which symptoms are affecting the child. They will also ask the parents some questions to get a better idea of how the child behaves at home and around family members and other familiar people. The specialists will then choose treatments based on these assessments.

 

When planning for services, it is important that the parents/guardians agree upon who will monitor the child’s progress during the treatment, and decide how often treatment will take place. Progress should be measured by the changes in the initially assessed behaviors. Using the measurement of these changes, parents can decide whether or not they want to continue a particular treatment for their child. To continue with a treatment that is not beneficial is a waste of time and resources, and it takes away from the time that could be used for other, possibly better treatments. However, it is necessary that parents approach each new treatment with an open mind, because at first it is difficult to tell which treatments will be beneficial and which will not. Each child is unique, and, therefore, outcomes of treatments can vary greatly from child to child. It is also a good idea to read about each treatment and discuss them with the specialists in order to better understand the treatment and set appropriate milestones.

 

Parents should not be afraid to trust their own judgment about the different treatment options they are presented with. The following is a list of “warning signs” that a treatment may not be a good one:

 

           - The treatment is not based on a thorough assessment of the child and family.

 

           - The treatment does not involve identification of specific objectives, target skills, or behaviors, and/or  there is no individualized aspect of the treatment plan.

 

           - It is claimed that the treatment is effective for everybody with autism or that

will cure children.

 

           - The evidence that gives support for the treatment is not generated from studies, which include groups of children, and is rather supported by reports of  individual cases or anecdotes.

 

 

The following treatment characteristics usually lead to better outcomes:

 

            - The intervention is started as early as possible in a child’s life. Some of the best programs have been used with children in preschool (age 3-5).

 

           - The treatment is altered to fit a specific child’s needs and challenges.

 

           - There is a comprehensive assessment that helps determine whether or not a treatment should be used with a child, and if so, all the services included in the treatment plan should be mentioned.

 

          -  A written plan is made to determine what behaviors and skills will be addressed and how progress will be measured.

 

          - The treatment uses systematic and structured teachings.

 

          - Treatment is served in heavy quantity (sometimes 20 + hours a week).

 

          - Family is involved in creating and carrying out the treatment plan.

 

          - The planning team makes an effort to change the service when a child has achieved the target objectives, fails to progress after a certain time, or if there is an unexpected change in the child’s behavior or health condition.

 

          - All individuals working to help the child do so cooperatively.

 

 

 

There is no medication for the autism disorder itself, but medications are used to treat particular symptoms that often accompany the disorder. For example, some children on the spectrum have seizures as one of the symptoms of their disorder. After a long period of time, seizures can cause permanent brain damage, so it is important to treat these as soon as possible. To reduce seizure activity, a doctor may prescribe an anticonvulsant, such as carbamazepine, lamotrigine, topiramate, or valproic acid.

 

Many people on the spectrum suffer from anxiety or depression, which is frequently treated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. There is some evidence that children with autism have lower than normal serotonin levels, but the reason for this and its exact effect on development are not yet fully understood. Another symptom that may accompany an ASD is an attention deficit and/or hyperactivity, which is often treated with methylphenidate—more commonly known as Ritalin.

 

Some of these medications may have harmful side effects, so it is important for doctors to balance the benefits of the medication with the likelihood of these side effects. Individuals on these medications should be closely monitored to see if any of the side effects occur; and if they do, the individual should be seen immediately by the prescribing specialist of the medicines. Young children are the most vulnerable to the side effects of psychotropic drugs, and because of that, these drugs are usually not used for children of young age.  

 

The symptoms of autism can appear more readily and with more severity if a child’s nutritional needs are not being met. Though most children are somewhat picky about food, children with an ASD may avoid entire food groups or colors of food, thus eliminating some important nutrients from their diet. So, it is important for parents to work with their child’s doctor to investigate the areas of their child’s diet that need more attention and explore alternative means of obtaining missing nutrients.

 

Sources:

 

[Day, Shirley R. Autism: A Guide for Parents and Other Caregivers. Pp.33, 34]