Treatment for Autism

Is there a cure for autism?

At present, there is no known cure for autism, though with suitable treatment, education and support, many children with infantile autism can learn and develop into useful and independent adults. The earlier the treatment is started, the better is the outcome. In fact, earlier intervention has often led to reduced challenges and difficulties associated with the disorder, including reducing the disruptive behavior and a higher degree of independence.
What sort of treatment is available to the patient with autism? A variety of treatment is available, but what is chosen will be dependent on the needs of the individual. It is common that a combination of treatment methods is used to provide more effectiveness than a single method. Also, autism usually requires treatment for the lifetime of the patient.

In general, occupational therapy and physical therapy are two common prongs of treatment for the person with autism.

Occupational therapy helps improve independent function and teaches basic skills (e.g., buttoning a shirt, bathing). Physical therapy involves using exercise and other physical measures (e.g., massage, heat) to help patients control body movements.

Treatment includes the following:

* Behavior modification
* Communication therapy
* Dietary modifications
* Medication

We will cover these in more details in subsequent posts.