Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex condition that affects individuals differently. While there is no cure for autism, experts agree that the best way to manage symptoms and develop independence skills is through ABA therapy. This type of therapy is the only scientifically proven treatment for autism, but it is not a cure. The goal of treatment is to maximize an individual's ability to function by reducing symptoms and supporting development and learning. Early intervention during the preschool years can help children learn critical social, communication, functional, and behavioral skills.
It is important to remember that autism is a lifelong condition and cannot currently be cured. There have been a number of unproven and unhelpful assumptions about autism that have made associating the word cure (or even treatments) with autism unnecessarily controversial. Most dollars from autism research in the United States go to understanding the biological basis of autism for diagnosing and treating young children. However, there is no definite, large, placebo-controlled double-blind study that establishes beyond doubt that any single approach could be an effective treatment for all people affected by autism. Questions remain about why girls and people of color are diagnosed later in life, why autism has so many co-occurring conditions, why people with autism tend to react differently to medications, and why they engage in self-injurious behaviors. To address these questions, the government is trying to attract and fund more research in this area. In addition to ABA therapy, there are other interventions for autism that may be beneficial.
A survey conducted by Thinking Autism of more than 200 families who used various combined nutritional and dietary interventions found that 95% found them beneficial and 24% found that some of the treatments were “life-changing”.If your child has any symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, you'll likely be referred to a specialist who treats children with ASD, such as a child psychiatrist or psychologist, pediatric neurologist, or developmental pediatrician, for evaluation. The variety of treatments and interventions at home and at school for ASD can be overwhelming, and your child's needs may change over time. Child Autism UK specializes in helping children diagnosed with autism reach their full potential. When ASD ranges from mild to severe, most treatment strategies will address and involve some form of speech therapy, behavioral therapy, and occupational therapy. The prevalence of autism has increased over time. While part of this increase may be due to a true increase in cases, CDC says a broader definition of the autism spectrum and improved diagnostic efforts likely contributed to the higher numbers.
