Tantalizing Clues
Some studies have suggested that all types of autism involve a malfunction in the way the body deals with metal regulation. This indicates 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 most recent studies imply that the digestive systems of autistic children do not fully break down food. Autistic persons also seem to have low levels of secretin.
Autism Treatment Research
A fundamental obstacle in useful autism research has been the lack of a valid means of measuring the effectiveness of various treatments. Clinical research reports 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 data 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. Ultimately, ATN hopes to form treatment procedures for autism based on credible research and rigorous clinical trials. Further, ATN conducts its own research on the causes, methods of prevention, diagnosing, and treatments for autism and related disorders. Newly evaluated children with autism might attain intensive, quality, effective treatment that is based in research. Recently, the NIH Autism Coordinating Committee (NIH/ACC) has undertaken a fresh research initiative in the area 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.
Autism Education
Meeting the challenges of autism can be better described as education instead than treatment. While there is no cure for autism, there are treatment and education approaches that may lessen some of the challenges associated with the disability. Although education is the primary form of treatment for autism, educators are frequently poorly equipped to deal with these children.
Autism Treatment Diets
There are various non-traditional or alternative therapies and treatment approaches that have been suggested for autism, including 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. Following treatment for candida and an elimination diet, some have successfully treated several patients and have largely overcome their autism. Slowly, the gluten free / casein free diet is becoming a mainstream recommendation for the treatment of autism.
Books
SKF Books ( http://www.skfbooks.com ) exists to produce and publish book and videos sorely needed in the world of Autism treatment and advocacy. "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 important, effective treatments for autism in a friendly, concise tone. This broad-ranging, authoritative book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in autism and its treatment.
Secretin
The use of secretin seems to be the most promising treatment yet discovered for the treatment of autism. The hormone secretin has gotten recent attention as a breakthrough treatment for autism. Some further children with autism showed limited improvement after treatment with secretin. Evidence indicates a lack of benefit of a single dose of synthetic human secretin in the treatment of autism and pervasive developmental disorder. In spite of these results, interest in secretin in the treatment of autism continues.
Autism Therapy
The most usual autism treatment options involve both occupational and physical therapy. A vitamin and mineral therapy was developed, which is currently considered an effective treatment for certain 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 common autism treatment options involve both occupational and physical therapy.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
For children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, a genetic test has helped to identify which treatment options might lead to the best results. One study suggested that methylphenidate is a treatment selection for children with autism spectrum disorder and hyperactivity. Parents Helping Parents ( http://www.php.com ) is a support group for parents interested in researching bio-medical treatments for autism spectrum disorders, including pervasive development disorder (PDD) and Aspergers.
Conclusion - Autism Treatment Evidence
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 clear test that can be quantified before and after an intervention. ABA ( applied behavioral analysis )/EIBI (early intensive behavioral intervention) has the biggest body of scientific evidence supporting its methodology as an effective treatment for autism. With scientific evidence, a large amount of of these interventions could turn out to be part of the future treatment protocol for subtypes of autism. A large array of non-traditional treatments exist for autism, most with only anecdotal evidence of their utility.
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