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Autism is problem that affects more children than we are aware of. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 out of every 88 children who are 8 years old, suffer from autism. This gender specific problem is 5 times more common in boys than in girls. The reason for this, however, may be because girls do not exhibit some of the common symptoms, making diagnosis more difficult in girls.

Autism Spectrum Therapy

Autism is a part of three complex neurodevelopmental disorders called ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). This disorder is a life-long disease that is diagnosed before the child turns three.

Children with autism tend to handle situations differently when compared with normal children. These children tend to have social, behavioral and communicational problems. The severity of the disease also varies with every child as it affects different people differently, which is why it is called a spectrum disorder.

Caring for children with autism involves identifying the problem, seeking help early, and providing constant support throughout their lives. In this article, we will discuss the basics of autism and the therapy options.

Listed below are some of the symptoms of autism:

• Not responding to their name by the time the child is a year old
• Lack of interes
• Not playing pretend games
• Avoiding eye contact
• Keeping to themselves
• Delay in learning language skills
• Repetitive usage of certain words
• Lack of adaptability to new surroundings

There is no single therapy that will help in caring for children with autism. Usually, a combination of different therapies is used to provide or enhance basic skills. Therapies that are used in autism help the child to grow up to be an independent person.

Autism spectrum therapy involves what is known as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This therapy reinforces positives and discourages negatives. Listed below are some of the common therapies for autism:

Discrete Trial Training (DTT)

• Uses a stepwise process to inculcate right behavior
• Each good behavior step is rewarded
• Bad behavior is ignored

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI)

• Uses ABA therapy for young children under the age of 5

Pivotal Response Training (PRT)

• Motivates children to initiate social interaction with others

Verbal Behavior Intervention (VBI)

• Focuses on improving the child’s verbal skills

DIR (Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-Based Approach)

• Also known as ‘floor time’
• Teaches children with autism to relate better to sights, sounds, people and their environment

Occupational Therapy

• Teaches children to live independent lives
• Helps children take care of their basic needs such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene and basic social interaction

Sensory Integration Therapy

• Helps children deal with sensory impulses such as sight, sound and smell

Speech Therapy

• Focuses on increasing verbal and communication skills
• The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
• Uses pictures to learn the art of conversation

While there is no cure for autism, earlier diagnosis and treatment goes a long way towards helping a child with autism cope with life better. If you feel that your child may be exhibiting symptoms associated with autism, check with specialists such as child neurologists, psychologists and developmental pediatricians. These specialists will help in both diagnosing the problem earlier and put you on to the right course of therapy as well.

References:

1. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
2. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
3. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

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