| ugh there is no known cure for autism, a combination | | | | helpful in improving patient's deficiencies in social and |
| of specialized treatment and education programs can | | | | communication skills. |
| often help many patients. The most common autism | | | | Yet another alternate treatment option for patients |
| treatment options involve both occupational and | | | | with autism is the use of Dolphin Assisted Therapy. |
| physical therapy. Occupational therapy helps improve | | | | The foundation of the Dolphin Assisted Therapy |
| independent function and teaches patients basic skills | | | | program in dates back to Eastern Europe, the former |
| such as buttoning a shirt or bathing - while physical | | | | Soviet Union, and the Black Sea. This field of medicine |
| therapy involves using exercise and other physical | | | | has shown extraordinary results in relation to the |
| measures such as using massage and heat in order to | | | | conventional methods of treatments such as |
| help patients control body movements. | | | | prescribed medication. |
| Other common autism treatment options include: | | | | An overview of Dolphin Assisted Therapy is available |
| " Behavior modification | | | | at : |
| " Communication therapy | | | | Dietary modifications |
| " Dietary modifications | | | | Autism is not caused by diet so the use of dietary |
| " Medication | | | | modifications and supplements to treat the disorder is |
| Behavior modification: | | | | somewhat controversial. Changing the diet or adding |
| There are several methods of behavior modification | | | | vitamin supplements may improve digestion and |
| that are used to treat autistic patients. Most behavior | | | | eliminate food intolerances or allergies, which may |
| modification principles are based on the theory that | | | | contribute to behavioral problems in autistic patients. |
| rewarded behavior is more likely to be repeated than | | | | Scientific Researchers have discovered the |
| behavior that is ignored. For instance, Sensory | | | | byproducts found in wheat, oats and rye (gluten) and |
| integration therapy is a type of behavior modification | | | | casein (protein in dairy products) have appeared at |
| that focuses on helping autistic patients cope with | | | | elevated levels in patients with autism. This may |
| different sensory stimulation. The treatment may | | | | suggest that the digestion of these substances may |
| include having the patient handle materials with | | | | affect brain function. However, eliminating foods that |
| different textures or listen to different sounds. | | | | contain gluten and casein from the diet may cause |
| Play therapy is yet another type of behavior | | | | side effects and should not be done without the |
| modification used to improve emotional development. | | | | advice of a health care practitioner. |
| Play therapy most often helps patients understand | | | | Studies have also shown that vitamin B, magnesium |
| and cope with their own feelings and involves | | | | and cod liver oil supplements (which contain vitamins |
| adult-child interaction that is controlled by the child. | | | | A and D) may improve behavior, eye contact, |
| Along the same lines, another behavior modification | | | | attention span, and learning in autistic patients. |
| technique called "social stories" can also prove helpful | | | | Vitamin C has been shown to improve depression |
| in improving an autism patient's undeveloped social | | | | and lessen the severity of symptoms in patients with |
| skills. Using social stories helps a patient better | | | | autism. |
| understand their feelings, ideas, as well as the points | | | | The DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Protocol is another |
| of view of others, and may suggest to the patient | | | | dietary modification program gaining popularity. |
| an alternate response to a particular situation. | | | | The protocol involves a combination of changes to |
| Communication therapy | | | | the diet and implementation of vitamin supplement |
| Many other alternate treatment options for autistic | | | | therapy in order to produce changes in autistic |
| patients involve the use of communication therapy | | | | behaviors. These diet changes include eliminating |
| Communication therapy is used to treat autistic | | | | certain dairy and grains while supplementing the |
| patients who are unable to communicate verbally, or | | | | patient's diet with the vitamin and mineral therapy. |
| to it may be used to initiate language development in | | | | An overview of the DAN Protocol is available at : |
| young children with the disorder. | | | | Medication |
| Today, clinical studies show that Video Modeling | | | | Medication may be also be used to treat various |
| Therapy Programs are highly effective in teaching | | | | symptoms of autism and can also be used to help |
| children with autism. One such program entitled | | | | other conditions that may accompany the disorder. |
| "Special Kids" ( was pioneered by a father of a boy | | | | Depression, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and |
| with autism, Special Kids maintains a distribution to | | | | anxiety may be treated using antidepressants. These |
| over 500 different school systems within the USA as | | | | drugs often reduce the frequency and intensity of |
| well as 30 different countries. The program helps | | | | repetitive behavior; decrease irritability, tantrums, and |
| children with a variety of developmental, cognitive | | | | aggression; and improve eye contact and |
| and learning disabilities acquire speech, reading, writing, | | | | responsiveness. |
| early academics, personal hygiene, self-help, social and | | | | Benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium®), |
| play skills. | | | | lorazepam (Ativan®), and alprazolam |
| Another program, called 'Safety Harbor' is the | | | | (Xanax®) can also be used to treat behavioral |
| brainchild of two school therapists, Anne Pesacov and | | | | problems. While antipsychotic medications such as |
| Betty Dixon, as well as teaching artist Emily Harris. | | | | clozapine (Clozaril®), risperidone (Risperdal®), |
| This series of eight workshops is designed to teach | | | | olanzapine (Zyprexa®), and quetiapine |
| social skills to children with Asperger's syndrome | | | | (Seroquel®) may decrease hyperactivity, |
| through the use of puppets. To learn more about | | | | behavioral problems, withdrawal, and aggression in |
| puppet-assisted relationship therapy, contact Betty S. | | | | autistic patients. |
| Dixon of Tampa at (813) 431-9790, Emily Harris of | | | | Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin®), |
| Tarpon Springs at (727) 934-5890 or Anne Pesacov | | | | amphetamine (Adderall®), and |
| of Safety Harbor at (727) 738-9232. | | | | dextroamphetamine (Dexedine®) may also be |
| The use of music has also proven to be an effective | | | | prescribed for autism. These drugs may increase |
| communication therapy for autism patients. Professor | | | | focus and decrease impulsive behavior and |
| Tony Wigram. Head of PhD Studies in Music Therapy | | | | hyperactivity in patients. |
| at the Institute for Music and Music Therapy at the | | | | It's best to consult a medical expert before |
| University of Aalborg, Denmark has authored several | | | | considering any medications as the patient's medical |
| books on the subject. He has concluded that since | | | | history needs to be taken into consideration as well |
| music therapy can be easily adjusted to an individual | | | | as possible side effects. |
| child's strengths and weaknesses it is often quite | | | | |