Autism - Treatment



There is no cure for autism. Treatments are aimed at reducing specific symptoms. Since symptoms differ from person to person, no single treatment program works for every patient. Some of the treatments used include training in music, listening, vision, speech, and language. Special diets and medication may also be prescribed.

People with autism can improve significantly with proper treatment. A child with autism learns best in a well organized environment with a single specially trained teacher. The two treatments used most often include educational or behavior treatment and medication.

Educational or Behavioral Treatment

In this form of treatment, autistic children are rewarded for correct (good) behaviors. A child who speaks correctly, for example, might be given a piece of candy or other favorite food. Over time, correct behaviors become more common and incorrect behaviors less common. This form of treatment should be started as early as possible. It seems to affect the way the child's brain develops, making autistic behavior less likely.

Educational and behavioral treatments seem to work best when carried out at home. In many cases, however, these treatments occur in specialized schools, at day care, or in psychiatric hospitals.

Medication

No single medication has been found to work with all features of autism. A combination of drugs can be used, however, to treat the most serious symptoms.

Autistic children sometimes respond to behavioral and educational treatments in schools such as this one in Salt Lake City, Utah, that offer teachers specially trained to work with autistic children. (Reproduced by permission of AP/Wide World Photos.)
Autistic children sometimes respond to behavioral and educational treatments in schools such as this one in Salt Lake City, Utah, that offer teachers specially trained to work with autistic children. (Reproduced by permission of
AP/Wide World Photos
.)

These symptoms include aggressiveness and the tendency to injure oneself. Drugs can also be used to control epilepsy (see epilepsy entry), which affects about 20 percent of patients with autism.

Five types of drugs are used to treat autism:

  • Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (pronounced meth-uhl-FEN-uh-date, trade name Ritalin)
  • Antidepressants, such as fluroxamine (trade name Luvox)
  • Opiate blockers, such as naltrexone (pronounced nal-TREK-sone, trade name ReVia)
  • Antipsychotics
  • Tranquilizers

Most experts recommend a combination of drug therapies that begins early and continues through the teenage years. Behavioral treatments are used in combination with medications.

Alternative Treatments

Many parents report success with megavitamin therapy. Megavitamin therapy involves the use of very large doses of vitamins. Vitamin B 6 seems to improve eye contact and speech. It may also reduce tantrums. Vitamin B 6 has few side effects and is considered safe to use. However, many health practitioners are not convinced by parent reports or scientific studies reported thus far.

Dimethylglycine (DMG)

DMG is chemically similar to glycine, a naturally occurring amino acid. It is available in many health food stores. Some people believe that it improves speech in autistic children. Those who respond to DMG usually do so within a week. Again, many doctors are not convinced about the effectiveness of this compound.

Exercise

One research study has found that vigorous exercise decreases some of the symptoms of autism. Additional research is needed to confirm this finding.

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