Autism Spectrum Disorder
Parents Helping Parents ( http://www.php.com ) is a support group for parents interested in exploring bio-medical treatments for autism spectrum disorders, including pervasive development disorder (PDD) and Aspergers. For children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, a genetic test has helped to identify which treatment options may lead to the best results. One study indicated that methylphenidate is a treatment option for children with autism spectrum disorder and hyperactivity.
Autism Therapy
The most common autism treatment options involve both occupational and physical therapy. A vitamin and mineral therapy was developed, which is now considered an effective treatment for particular individuals with autism. Many insurers will not pay for autism treatment, leaving families holding the bag on up to $40,000 per year in therapy costs. The most prevalent autism treatment options involve both occupational and physical therapy.
Autism Treatment Research
Recently, the NIH Autism Coordinating Committee (NIH/ACC) has undertaken a new research initiative in the realm of treatment interventions directed at autism symptoms. The NICHD (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , is one of several Institutes doing research into various aspects of autism, including its causes, prevalence, and treatments. Newly diagnosed children with autism might be given intensive, quality, effective treatment that is based in research. A major obstacle in useful autism research has been the lack of a valid means of measuring the effectiveness of different treatments. Clinical research studies continue to watch for more promising treatments for autism. The Autism Treatment Network (http://www.autismtreatmentnetwork.org ) (ATN) is intended to develop clinical and research centers of excellence which will share current information on patient care, education, and research on autism. Intensive behavioral/psychoeducational treatments for autism and research needs and future directions are being evaluated by the ATN. Eventually, ATN hopes to create treatment procedures for autism based on credible research and rigorous clinical trials. Additionally, ATN conducts its own investigation on the causes, methods of prevention, diagnosing, and treatments for autism and linked disorders.
Secretin
The utilization of secretin seems to be the most promising treatment as of yet discovered for the treatment of autism. The hormone secretin has gotten the most recent attention as a breakthrough treatment for autism. Some other children with autism showed limited improvement after treatment with secretin. Evidence shows a lack of benefit of a single dose of synthetic human secretin in the treatment of autism and pervasive developmental disorder. Despite these results, interest in secretin in the treatment of autism continues.
Books
"Autism Treatment Guide" by Elizabeth Gerlach, is the first complete guide to autism treatment. "Facing Autism" by Lynn Hamilton ( http://www.facingautism.com ) is an outstanding new book that covers all of the central, effective treatments for autism in a friendly, concise tone. This broad-ranging, authoritative book is necessary reading for anyone with an interest in autism and its treatment. SKF Books ( http://www.skfbooks.com ) exists to generate and publish book and videos sorely needed in the world of Autism treatment and advocacy.
Tantalizing Clues
Some studies have implied that all types of autism involve a malfunction in the way the person deals with metal regulation. This means a malfunction of a certain metal binding protein called metallothionein (MT) . Thus, a recent therapy for autistic children involves zinc, amino acid and glutathione supplementation.
The latest studies imply that the digestive systems of autistic children do not completely break down food. Autistic persons also seem to have low levels of secretin.
Autism Treatment Diets
There are a good number of non-traditional or alternative therapies and treatment approaches that have been suggested for autism, together with nutritional supplements, dietary restrictions, and chelation therapy. One dietary autism treatment is a gluten-free, casein-free diet. An outcome of a reduction in autism traits was reported after a valuable beneficial treatment effect for the combined gluten- and casein- free diet. Subsequent to treatment for candida and an elimination diet, some have successfully treated several patients and have largely overcome their autism. Gradually, the gluten free / casein free diet is becoming a mainstream recommendation for the treatment of autism.
Autism Education
Notwithstanding education is the primary form of treatment for autism, educators are often poorly equipped to deal with these children. Meeting the challenges of autism can be better described as education rather than treatment. While there is no cure for autism, there are treatment and education approaches that may diminish some of the challenges associated with the disability.
Conclusion - Autism Treatment Evidence
A large array of non-traditional treatments exist for autism, most with only anecdotal evidence of their utility. ABA ( applied behavioral analysis )/EIBI (early intensive behavioral intervention) has the highest body of scientific evidence supporting its methodology as an effective treatment for autism. With scientific evidence, a large amount of of these interventions should turn out to be part of the future treatment protocol for subtypes of autism. There is no evidence to validate adopting a single autism treatment program as the gold standard. The challenge for autism treatment research is that there is no simple test that can be quantified before and after an intervention.
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