Autism Spectrum Therapy

One of the most common autism treatment approaches (for children and adults) is Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). In fact, 46 states require health insurers to cover ABA training for autism and Asperger’s syndrome. This therapy approach uses a reward system to encourage positive behaviors as well as discourage negative behaviors. ABA utilizes positive reinforcement to teach and promote social skills, communication abilities, learning and academic skills, and self-care habits.

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, also known as EIBI, is a type of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) tailored for children younger than five years old. This approach involves personalized teaching that can take place in the home or a clinical environment. The National Research Council advises that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) should receive a minimum of 25 hours per week of focused interaction.

Another approach commonly used in the treatment of autism is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This modality is often referred to as “talk therapy,” indicating that sessions are geared toward helping autistic individuals connect feelings, thoughts, and behaviors together. The goal of this therapy is to help these individuals recognize negative thoughts and feelings that are possibly triggering unhealthy and destructive behaviors.

A 2010 study on autism and cognitive-behavioral therapy found that CBT may indeed help autistic individuals better manage their conditions by lowering their stress levels. Results also suggested that CBT may help autistic individuals identify other people’s emotions, so they can interact with them better.

Occupational therapy (OT) is also used to treat individuals with autism. This approach concentrates on teaching children and adults with autism the skills they need to function effectively in daily life. An occupational therapist can help improve a child’s or adult’s fine motor skills, handwriting abilities, and self-care practices. Additionally, this professional can teach adults skills for independent living, such as paying bills, cooking, working, grocery shopping, cleaning, and budgeting.

For individuals with sensory issues (sight, sound, and/or smell), sensory integration therapy (SIT) is often recommended. A specially trained occupational therapist can help individuals with to balance or minimize distractions, enabling the individual to learn healthy skills and behaviors. Some of the methods and techniques employed during these therapy sessions include drawing in the sand, jumping rope, and meditating.

People with autism often experience difficulties with speech. Consequently, speech therapy is frequently recommended. Speech therapists assist individuals with autism in improving their clarity of speech by teaching them enhanced verbal skills. This form of therapy is typically conducted by an occupational therapist or a speech-language pathologist.

The objective of this therapy is to assist adults and children in enhancing their speech, including its rate and rhythm, and in utilizing words correctly. Additionally, it aims to aid both children and adults with speech difficulties in more effectively expressing their thoughts, opinions, beliefs, and emotions.

Social skills training (SST) is a method for helping individuals with autism, particularly children, to develop the necessary skills for proper interaction with others. For some, socializing can be extremely challenging, thereby limiting their ability to make and maintain friendships and engage in romantic relationships. Therefore, social skills trainers instruct individuals with autism on how to initiate and sustain conversations, understand humor, and interpret emotional cues or non-verbal gestures.

Note: This training is typically recommended for children; however, it has also proven effective for teens and young adults.

Another treatment sometimes used for autism is medication. Currently, there are no medications specifically designed to treat autism; however, there are a variety of medications that may alleviate certain symptoms or associated with autism.

Medications used to help manage autism include: Antipsychotics, Anti-anxiety meds, Antidepressants, Stimulants, Anticonvulsants

Although not as popular as more traditional treatments for autism, alternative therapies may be beneficial for some individuals with autism when used in conjunction with their prescribed treatment plans. However, it is important to understand that studies supporting these treatments are severely limited at this time. The few studies that have been conducted on autism and alternative therapies remain inconclusive regarding their effectiveness. More so, a couple of studies have found that alternative treatments sometimes used for autism like chelation therapy (the removal of metals from the body), may actually do more harm than good. Consult your physician before substituting or adding alternative treatments to an autism maintenance regimen.

Alternative treatments sometimes used to manage autism symptoms include: Specialized Diets (i.e Gluten-Free and/or Casein-Free), Weighted Blankets, Melatonin Supplements, Vitamin C, Omega-3, Dimethylglycine, Vitamin B6 with Magnesium, Oxytocin, CBD oil.

Another alternative treatment that has skyrocketed in popularity in the last few years is massage therapy. In fact, one review found that massages can relieve symptoms, like stress, anxiety, and sensory issues. Many people, who struggle with autism, attest to the benefits of massage therapy, however, there is little-to-no scientific evidence to back this theory up on a larger scale. Also, it’s important to understand that some people with autism do not like to be touched, so this type of therapy would not be suitable for these individuals.

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)can help people with autism, who have little-to-no ability to verbally communicate, express their wants, needs, thoughts, feelings, and opinions through pictures. Through the use of PECS, individuals with autism can engage with others by presenting pictures that represent their wants or needs. They are also able to express their emotions or thoughts without relying on verbal communication. For instance, a child with autism may utilize PECS to request an item or to communicate an idea or message by indicating symbols, words, images, or illustrations on a picture card. One of the primary advantages of PECS is its versatility, allowing it to be implemented both at home and in educational settings.

The TEACCH Method stands for Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped CHildren. The TEACCH method was developed in the 1960s by Dr. Eric Schopler and Dr. Robert Reichler, professors at the University of North Carolina, as a treatment for pediatric autism.

The TEACCH method offers a “structured teaching” or “regulated” approach to visual learning. The TEACCH method can be extremely beneficial for individuals with autism because it recognizes the traits, behaviors, and challenges that some people, especially children, struggle with on a daily basis. This recognition makes it easier for doctors to customize treatments for these individuals. This is achieved by providing accommodations for individuals with autism, such as modifying the environment and offering alternative forms of communication, enabling them to express themselves. Another advantage of the TEACCH method is that it can be utilized independently or in conjunction with other treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, medications, self-help tools, and so on.

An autistic child’s environment plays a crucial role in his or her development. Thus, this space should be warm and inviting. Parents and teachers are considered “responsive adults,” and as such, they play an essential role in the learning environment.

Responsive Teaching, also sometimes referred to as Relationship-Focused Interventions (RFI), involves teaching parents how to support their autistic children in healthy ways. This environment should include the autistic child’s home, public spaces, daycares, classrooms, and other areas that they frequent regularly. Responsive teaching should also incorporate daily or classroom schedules and learning materials within these environments. This approach to autism treatment is designed for children under the age of 7; however, it is sometimes utilized to treat children older than this age.

In 2007, Responsive Treatment emerged as a therapy for young children with autism, particularly for those experiencing developmental delays. The objective of RT is to assist parents in becoming more attuned to and responsive to their autistic children’s cognitive processes, communication, and social and emotional skills during interactions. Thus, responsive learning environments should be modified to address and accommodate an autistic child’s developmental levels, interests, skills, communication mode(s), and needs.

Ultimately, researchers suggest that a learning environment can encourage healthy relationships and positive behaviors in children with autism. Studies have also found that Responsive Teaching has positive effects on child learning and development. However, further research is needed to definitely determine the overall effects of this treatment for autism.

Pivotal Response Training (PRT), a comprehensive intervention model, was developed by Dr. Robert Koegel and Dr. Lynn Koegel to incorporate a more holistic or “natural” approach to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). PRT is a notable autism treatment because it is not only “child-led” but also reinforces positive behaviors with clear and natural stimuli. According to the Koegel Autism Center at the Gevirtz School, Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) should be considered a ‘go-to’ treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This is primarily because it targets key developmental areas that are known to support a child’s ability to develop a wide range of aptitudes or skills.”

The primary objective of Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) is to concentrate on crucial areas of a child’s development, including motivation, responsiveness to cues, self-regulation, and social interactions. The prevailing view is that improvement in these domains can support a child across a range of emotional, behavioral, and social contexts, and that the skills acquired in these areas may benefit them throughout their lifetime.

Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) is a parent-led approach that focuses on helping children develop their social skills, think flexibly, understand different perspectives, and learn to engage with others and form close relationships. This is a relatively new approach in the field of autism, but has shown promise in reducing autistic symptoms and increasing social emotional functioning. Preliminary studies show that the quality of parent-child interaction significantly improves outcomes.