WHILE ASD IS NOT CURABLE, THERE ARE SEVERAL TREATMENT OPTIONS, SUCH AS ABA, THAT CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH ASD COPE WITH EVERYDAY SITUATIONS AND DEVELOP SKILLS. FIND A PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TEAM TO HELP YOU AND YOUR CHILD THROUGH THIS JOURNEY.
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) IS A NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER THAT AFFECTS COMMUNICATION AND BEHAVIOR. "NEURODEVELOPMENT" MEANS THAT THE DISEASE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.
usually, these signs appear in early childhood, usually between 12 and 24 months. but the diagnosis may not appear until later, especially if the symptoms are subtle.
BECAUSE SYMPTOMS VARY FROM PERSON TO PERSON, MEDICAL EXPERTS REFER TO ASD AS A RANGE OF SYMPTOMS RATHER THAN A FIXED SET OF SYMPTOMS THAT ALL PEOPLE EXPERIENCE.
MOST EXPERTS AGREE THAT THERE IS NO CURE FOR AUTISM. THAT'S WHY MANY OF THEM APPROACH ASD IN A WAY THAT FOCUSES ON SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT OR SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT, WHICH INCLUDES BEHAVIORAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND EDUCATIONAL THERAPY.
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT TREATMENTS FOR ASD?
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TREATING ASD TO AGREE TO START SUPPORTIVE CARE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
According to Dr. Ashanti W. Woods, a pediatrician at Mercy Medical Center, early intervention has been shown to be associated with optimal outcomes.
"YOUNG CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER OFTEN USE EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES IN THEIR STATE TO ASSESS AND MEET THEIR NEEDS, WHICH MANY STATES REFER TO AS THE PERSONALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PROGRAM (IFSP)," WOODS EXPLAINS.
the goal, he says, is to help toddlers communicate better, minimize anxiety in social settings, and reduce challenging behaviors. these services are usually available until the age of three.
when autism spectrum disorders range from mild to severe, woods said, most, if not all, treatment strategies will involve and involve some sort of speech therapy, behavioral therapy, and occupational therapy.
AS CHILDREN GROW UP AND MOVE INTO SCHOOL, WOODS SAYS MANY OF THEM CAN BENEFIT FROM SPECIALIZED PERSONALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS (EPPS) WITH THE SAME GOAL OF IMPROVING COMMUNICATION, BEHAVIOR, SOCIALIZATION AND SELF-CARE.
IN ADDITION, WOODS EXPLAINS, ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRISTS MAY ALSO CONSIDER USING MEDICATIONS TO ADDRESS COMMON CONDITIONS IN ASD, INCLUDING ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD), OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER (ODD), OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD), OR DEPRESSION.
One treatment used by many therapists, schools, and healthcare providers is applied behavioral analysis (ABA) for specific treatment options. The goal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is to encourage positive behaviors to teach and improve a variety of skills.
other forms of treatment include:
- social skills training
- sensory integration therapy
- occupational therapy
WHILE THE PROCESS OF FINDING RESOURCES CAN SOMETIMES FEEL OVERWHELMING, KEEP IN MIND THAT HAVING TRAINED PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT PEOPLE WITH ASD AND THEIR LOVED ONES.
resources to remember
- PERSONALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN (IFSP)
- PERSONALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP)
- psychiatrists and counselors
- occupational therapist
- speech and speech therapist
continue research
WOODS ALSO NOTED THAT ONGOING RESEARCH TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTS OF LIFESTYLE (LOW-STIMULUS SETTINGS) AND DIETARY MODIFICATIONS (SUCH AS VEGAN OR GLUTEN-FREE DIETS) ON CHILDREN WITH ASD.
"however, the medical community is waiting for these results to see if there are statistically significant results related to the modifications described above," he explains.
in addition to lifestyle and dietary changes, researchers are also looking at several other studies, such as the ability to detect autism during pregnancy, the ability to have an autism diagnosis that affect your genes, and future cord blood therapy.
ways to support people with autism
IN ADDITION TO SEEKING PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH ASD, IT'S ALSO HELPFUL TO LEARN HOW TO HELP THEM WHILE TAKING CARE OF THEMSELVES.
here are some ways to help, support, and encourage your loved ones to develop skills.
help them feel safe and loved
THE FIRST TASK IN SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH ASD IS TO HELP THEM FEEL SAFE AND LOVED.
communicate with your team
communicating with doctors, therapists, teachers, and other healthcare providers can help you with your daily tasks with ease.
for parents, this may mean seeking advice to continue practicing the skills your child learns in therapy, which makes it easier for them to be more successful.
consider the environment
what you do at home can affect the severity of certain symptoms. one recommendation is to keep the environment predictable and familiar. another is to be regular. minimizing sensory inputs in the home, such as noise and activity levels, is also a smart idea.
there are routines on the road
in the face of new situations, go through what might happen ahead of time. this may help make the transition smoother. bring familiar comfort items.
decelerate
convey information in a simple and effective way. the clearer, conciseer and more specific you are, the better. wait a minute. give them time to respond as you listen and observe.
helps encourage positive behavior
consider using visual aids to help your child schedule and complete daily tasks. strengthen the behavioral skills they learn during treatment. celebrate the good things by recognizing and acknowledging abilities and strengths.
stay up-to-date with current trends
woods believes that an important way for parents to support children with autism is to get resources and reliable information about autism from websites like autismspeaks.org and kidshealth.org.
valuing neurodiversity
WHEN CARING FOR PEOPLE WITH ASD, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND VALUE NEURODIVERSITY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT ASD THROUGH THIS LENS, IT HELPS REMOVE THE STIGMA THAT OFTEN OCCURS DURING DIAGNOSIS AND ALLOWS YOU TO SEE DIFFERENCES AS NORMAL RATHER THAN DISABLED.
look for an autism support group
connecting with others in the community can help you learn new information, share tips and strategies to help manage situations, and feel supported when you connect through similar experiences.
take some time for yourself
make time just for you every day. even if it's just a short time to exercise, read, or spend time with friends, self-care is a key component of caring for others.
summary
WHILE ASD IS NOT CURABLE, THERE ARE SEVERAL TREATMENT OPTIONS, SUCH AS ABA, THAT CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH ASD COPE WITH EVERYDAY SITUATIONS AND DEVELOP SKILLS. FIND A PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TEAM TO HELP YOU AND YOUR CHILD THROUGH THIS JOURNEY.