Treatment
There is no cure for autism. Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed
to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. The ideal
treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms
of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication,
and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. Most professionals agree that
the earlier the intervention, the better.
Educational/behavioral interventions
Therapists use highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training sessions to help children develop social and language skills. Family counseling for the parents and siblings of children with autism often helps families cope with the particular challenges of living with an autistic child.
Medications
Doctors often prescribe
an antidepressant medication to handle
symptoms of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive
disorder. Anti-psychotic medications
are used to treat severe behavioral problems.
Seizures can be treated with one or more
of the anticonvulsant drugs. Stimulant
drugs, such as those used for children
with attention deficit disorder (ADD),
are sometimes used effectively to help
decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Other therapies
There are a number of controversial therapies or interventions available for autistic children, but few, if any, are supported by scientific studies. Parents should use caution before adopting any of these treatments.