Autism (cont.)
How is autism treated?
Misinformation about autism is very common. Claims of a cure for autism are
constantly presented to families of autistic individuals. There are various
treatment models found within both the educational and clinical settings. Yet,
there is only one treatment approach that has prevailed over time and is
effective for all persons, autistic or not. That treatment model is an
educational program that is suitable to a student's developmental level of
performance. For adults, that treatment model refers to a vocational program
that is suitable to the individual's developmental level of functioning.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) Act of 1990,
students with a handicap are guaranteed an "appropriate education" in the Least
Restrictive Environment (LRE), which is generally considered to be as normal an
educational setting as possible. As a result of this legislation, autistic
children have generally been placed in a mainstreamed classroom and pulled out
for whatever supplementary services were needed. Depending on the child's needs,
he or she could be placed up to 100% of the school day in a mainstreamed or a
special education setting or any combination of the two.
There is an increasing
trend, however, among the advocates for autistic children, to segregate these
children into small, highly structured and controlled academic settings that are
almost free from auditory and visual stimulation. All instruction is broken down
into manageable segments. Information is presented in tiny units and the child's
response is immediately sought. A classic stimulus-response approach is used to
maximize learning. Each unit of information is mastered before another is
presented. A fundamental behavior such as putting hands on the tabletop, for
example, must be mastered before the child is required to perform any other
tasks, or before more information is presented. The long-term effects of this
type of treatment as well as the ability of the child to transfer this to a
broader context continue to be evaluated.
Autistic individuals must be taught how to communicate and interact with
others. This is not a simple task, and it involves the entire family as well as
other professionals. Parents of an autistic child or adult must continually
educate themselves about new treatments and keep an open mind. Some treatments
may be appropriate for some individuals but not for others. Many treatments have
yet to be scientifically proven. Treatment decisions should always be made
individually after a thorough assessment and based on what is suitable for that
child and his or her family.
It is important to remember, despite some recent denials, that autism is
virtually a lifelong condition. Treatment will change as the individual
develops. Families must beware of treatment programs that give false hope of a
cure. Acceptance of the condition in a family member is a very critical,
foundational component of any treatment program and is understandably quite
difficult.
Several medications have been tried or are under current scrutiny for the
treatment of autism. No medication has consistently proven to be of benefit in
closely controlled clinical trials. In the past, a piece on a television news
show prompted a great deal of interest in the
hormone secretin as a treatment
for autism. An autistic child with chronic gastrointestinal complaints showed
dramatic improvement following some routine testing performed by a
gastroenterologist during which a small dose of secretin was administered. The
family and their physicians felt that the secretin may have resulted in the
improvement in the symptoms of autism. Many physicians began prescribing
secretin, which can be costly for their autistic patients. However, studies published appear to completely refute
the claim that secretin treatment benefits autistic patients. This example
underscores the importance of good clinical trials in determining whether a drug
will help patients with autism.
- Autism is characterized by impaired development in social interaction, communication, and behavior.
- The degree of autism varies from mild to severe.
- Severely afflicted patients can appear to have a profound intellectual disability.
- The cause of autism is unknown.
- The optimal treatment of autism involves an educational or vocational
program that is suited to the developmental level of the child or adult,
respectively.
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