8 Best Therapies For Children With Autism

Autism is a puzzling disorder. As of this writing, the cause and cure remain unknown and mysterious. Yet several different types of therapies have emerged as being potentially useful in treating autism spectrum disorder. Children are all different so it is difficult to predict the best therapies for children with autism. Parents must try and decide for themselves. Following are some of the best therapies for children with autism:

1. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Applied Behavior Analysis is a very widely used therapy in which complex skills are broken down systematically into a series of simpler tasks. Positive reinforcement is used to teach children complex skills like language.

2. Dietary Interventions. Many children with autism are on one or several of various choices for special dietary interventions. These special diets often entail gluten- free, casein- free or specific carbohydrates. For more information, contact the Autism Network for Dietary Intervention (ANDI.)

3. Augmentative Communication. Some children who are nonverbal or only limited verbal can be taught to use augmentative communication devices such as the DynaWrite. DynaWrite is a keyboard with a language engine inside it that can voice what is typed- a kind of "talking computer." Some nonverbal autistic people have gone to universities and colleges with these enormously helpful devices.

4. Floor Time Therapy. The Floor Time model of therapy emphasizes the development of receptive and expressive language and relationships. It was developed by Stanley I. Greenspan, MD. For more information contact the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders.

5. Son Rise Program. The Son Rise program at the Autism Treatment Center of America Option Institute teaches families how to implement a home based child centered program based upon acceptance and "joining." Parents are taught how to recruit and train support team.

6. DAN! (Defeat Autism Now) Conference. The DAN! Conference is an annual conference at which the DAN! Treatment protocol for treatment of autism is discussed by parents and professionals. The conference is put on by the Autism Research Institute.

7. Fast ForWord. Some parents and speech pathologists have used a software program called Fast ForWord with their children. Fast ForWord generally slows speech sounds down and then gradually speeds them up again so that children can learn to process them.

8. Auditory Integration Training. Some children experience hyperacute (painful) hearing. This does not have to do with deafness at all, rather the sounds are heard at distorted pitches which causes pain for the child. Some children put their hands over their ears. Auditory Integration Training attempts to address this.

Those are eight of the best therapies for children with autism. Hopefully one approach if not some combination of approaches will produce improvement for a child over time.

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Autism Treatment - Stopping Biomedical Treatments and Autism

I want to discuss the issue of starting and stopping biomedical therapies and what the normal protocol is. I am often asked a question like "Dr. Woeller, if my child is taking B12, or my child is on various supplements or medications like Diflucan or maybe Nystatin, should I be weaning my child off of these supplements or can they just be stopped all of a sudden?". In my experience, and this applies to the majority of the biomedical therapies that we use, if your child reaches a plateau where you are no longer seeing improvements, and if your doctor is in agreement on this, it is my experience that you can stop these therapies all at once without seeing any negative reactions.

And certainly when you look at other medications for other medical issues like certain steroid medications or certain anti-depressant medications and various types of psychiatric medications that often times do need to be removed slowly, where you are backing off slowly from one dose to a lower dose. But when we are talking about vitamin therapies like B12 or anti-fungals or even most supplements, in my experience there is no need to wean your child off. And this again is something that you would still want to run by your own doctors but in my opinion there is no weaning process for these types of therapies. But a very common question I get in my practice is whether someone can stop B12 with their child suddenly or whether or not their child needs to be weaned off. With B12, in my experience, if it is time to stop that therapy you can just do so immediately and if you want to resume that therapy at a later time then you can.

So when we are discussing biomedical treatments, many of the therapies are the same way. You are not usually going to see dangerous reactions occurring, we are not using highly toxic substances and they are not highly stressful medications either. There are definitely medications that do require weaning and this is still an issue where you would always want to work with your own physician on this. But, for the most part, the biomedical therapies that we traditionally use like anti-fungals, supplements, etc. can many times be stopped without a need to wean a child off of them.

Autism really is treatable! Biomedical Autism treatments and therapies have resulted in many, many children improving, or even even losing their autism-spectrum disorder diagnosis. For lots more free biomedical autism intervention information and videos from Dr. Woeller, go to http://www.AutismRecoveryTreatment.com.

Dr. Kurt Woeller is an biomedical autism Intervention specialist, with a private practice in Southern California for over 10 years. He has helped children recover from autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders, and has the information you need to help your child. Download his free ebook at http://www.AutismActionPlan.org.

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Autism - The Best Autism Treatment Options

Autism is a dreadful disorder, which affects an individual's ability to communicate and associate with others. Generally the symptoms are detected in the first three years of the child's life. In the United States, 1 in 166 people are affected by this disease. Although information about autism is scarce, some non-profit organizations have dedicated themselves to increasing the quality of the research in autism in order to bring out new treatments of autism.

Low levels of vitamins and minerals like calcium, folic acid, iron, magnesium and chromium continue to be the main attributed causes for the autism in children. It has been widely accepted that children suffering from autism who are treated with multivitamin/ mineral nutrient supplements show marginal improvement. Introduction of these nutrient supplements into the diet of autism-affected children contributes a lot in the improvement of the stage that includes high scholastic test scores, early neurological development, and scholastic test scores.

The autism-affected children treated with nutritional supplements showed improved learning abilities, experience cognitive, academic and substantial behavioral gains. In most cases, the follow-up research showed positive feedback from parents of the autism-affected children after treatment with nutrient supplements of Vitamin-B6 and Vitamin-c, Magnesium, Niacin, and dimethylglycine.

Innovative and Alternative Therapies for the Treatment Of Autism

The innovative therapy found to be most useful in treating autism is oral secretin. This should be given three times a day along with supportive therapy of vitamins. Most patients reported that they noticed a change in behavior within the first three days. Improvement in their social skills was also noticed. The overall cost of secretin and vitamins may come to $60 which should be continued for two days and the vitamin supplements may be followed as long as possible.

The other possible innovative treatments for autism lies with stem cell therapy (where one's own cell from bone marrow is used), live cell therapy (live cells extracted from the animal being administered to the patients), oral organ extracts (administration of gut cells or brain cells for maximum effect in the autism affected children), and Lyophilisate extracts (Lyophilisate whole cells from Cytobiopharmica are being used for the treatment of autism sufferers).

The use of the antibiotic vanomycin being extensively studied since it is absorbed in the gut. The anti-protozoan drug, Metronidazole, also holds hope in treating autism since it is absorbed in the intestine and prevent diarrhea, which is the most affected symptoms of autism.

Naltrexone, a modern medicine played an important role in autism by blocking the substance endorphins, which produces an anesthetic like feeling. Use of Naltrexone for the autistic individual provides renowned result with improvements in increased eye contact, normalized pain sensitivity, general happiness, and reduced stereotypic and self-injury behaviors. The appetite is also improved among the autism sufferers after the treatment of Naltrexone. The side effects of this drug on the autism patient are also being studied and found to be nil so far.

You should consult your primary care physician for further advice on the latest autism treatments.

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What Is HFA - High Functioning Autism?

Autism as a disorder is diagnosed on the basis of abnormalities detected in the subject in the spheres of social interaction, communication, imagination, combined with a marked tendency towards indulging in peculiar, repetitive behavior. Most autistic subjects also have very few interests and passions and largely keep to themselves. So how is the condition of high functioning autism different and how is the diagnosis made on the subject?

The term, 'High-Functioning Autism', also called HFA, applies to people suffering from autism, who also register an IQ of 80 or above. People with HFA also have a clear ability to speak, read and write. Hence, people diagnosed with HFA might actually have normal or even above-average intelligence on the whole and might not at all seem that cognitively challenged at all.

An autistic person who displays all the signs of typical HFA except having a history of delayed or abnormal speech development, is said to be suffering from Asperger's Syndrome (AS).

There is a school of thought that believes that both AS and HFA are types of a disability in the autistic child. But that might not be the case at all. Children suffering from high-functioning autism are only different as compared to others, not necessarily disabled.

Sometimes, certain types of high-functioning autism are diagnosed as Asperger's Syndrome and certain other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The symptoms of such types of HFA are more or less those of regular autism. There might be a delay in speech development, understanding of language and slang, repetitive behavior and rigid, unchanging and stubborn mental attitude.

A child who is diagnosed with HFA should immediately be taken to a specialized professional, such as a pediatric neurologist or child psychologist, who would be able to suggest further course of treatment. With regular treatment and therapy, children with high functioning autism may even be able to live full, normal lives.

Raising a child with high-functioning autism is not the end of the world either for the child or his family. There are only certain things that have to be done if the child has to make quick recovery.

Visiting treatment centers

Once the diagnosis of high-functioning autism has been made on the child, he needs to be immediately taken for treatment. The earlier the therapy commences, the better it is for the child. Each school district in the United States offers programs that help and assist children with such conditions.

Mapping out a strategy for treatment

The strategy for therapy has to be decided upon and implemented without delay. Autism is not a disease - it is only a mental condition which involves a different kind of brain functioning. Charting out the best course of therapy and getting to it as soon as possible helps the child overcome his challenges that much faster.

Experts formulate a strategy for social, communication, motor and other behavior skills. A specialized therapy plan, called the Individual Education Plan (IEP) is worked at, after the specialist brainstorms with the parents and teachers. Methodically laying out this plan is what helps the child progress in the academic and other fields of his life.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

ABA is applied to reward these children for right behavior, so that they learn to reform from it. They are also taught to let go of their stubborn tendencies and develop better social and communication skills.

Conclusion

Treating children with HFA is slowly becoming easier, thanks to the discovery of new strategies and therapies available for the condition. If treated early enough, children suffering from high functioning autism can lead a normal, successful life ahead.

Melissa Fox is a health professional very interested in Teaching Children With Autism. She enjoys writing inspirational articles for Real Living. To learn more about High Functioning Autism please visit www.CausesOfAutism.org

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Autism 101 - Common Therapies Used For Autism

Autism affects each child differently. Some children with autism can live in mainstream society with very little struggles or disruptions to their daily lives. It isn't that way for all children though. Some children have severe difficulties even coping with life. Their senses overwhelm them, their problems consume their daily lives and the lives of those who care for them and living in general is just plain difficult.

It doesn't have to be that way though. In fact with modern treatments, many children can reach a level of normalcy and reduce the struggles of living with autism.

One such method is occupational therapy. No, this doesn't mean helping them find a job, it means providing therapy for them that will help them with their daily tasks. This method of therapy can help them learn to cope in the world around them, and can give the child a sense of control and empowerment they may not have had previously.

Another therapy that can help is speech therapy. Since many autistic children have little to no communication skills, this can be a vital part of helping your child cope. And for some children, it even gives them back their voices and vocabularies that autism may have robbed them of.

Another helpful tool if speech therapy is not working, is teaching the child sign language. This can give a child who has no voice a method to communicate. A method to verbalize with the world their wants and needs. It can be an asset for all children with autism to learn to sign, in case at some point in the future
they stop talking altogether.

Play therapy can be a wonderful tool as well. Getting down to ground level and letting them bring you into their world of play can be a great learning tool. It can help them learn to interact socially as well as show you ways that you can interact with them, that won't upset them or cause a meltdown.

As with any disability, there is hope for children with autism. They don't have to remain locked in their own little worlds forever. With the proper therapy and help, they can regain their lives and live a much more fulfilling happy life. The above mentioned therapies are just a few of many ways to help your autistic child. Being a supportive and caring parent, with a high level of patience can go a long way to make this world a little more hospitable for your loved one.

Autism affects each child differently. Find out more tips to help your autistic child, click here!

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How Music Therapy Helps In Treating Autism

Musical therapy is gaining acceptance in the field of treatments for autism. Individuals on the autism-spectrum who receive music therapy will often have improvement in overall temperament and learning abilities. I recently saw a young boy who loved the Beatles. Hearing their music has helped with his behavior and willingness to communicate. Other individuals have responded in similar ways to other types of music. Music makes connections to the non-verbal part of our brain making it a perfect therapy for disorders in which the person has trouble communicating. This is why it is a perfect fit for autism.

Music therapy has been used in conjunction to help with learning skills. Classical music often playing in the background has been shown to help with mental processing for math and complex problems, but more importantly in autism music in general provides a non-threatening medium for people while playing games that help to improve social and behavior skills. For example, by encouraging eye contact while singing or using musical instruments that need to be held close to the face musical therapy can help autistic individuals break social barriers. In short, music is fun and engaging.

The main thing that music therapy has been shown to help with is the development of speech and communication skills. Music has the ability to connect the verbal and non-verbal functions in the brain. This is critical in autism as speech difficulties are so significant. In the beginning certain individuals may be only able to hum, grunt or make non-word noises while others will babble phrases of verses. The little boy who was a Beatles fan learned to pronounce the famous line "we all live in a Yellow Submarine..." Autistic individuals will often gain the capability to put phrases and sentences together in attempts to communicate with other people. No matter how skilled the individual is with speech, they can participate in musical therapy by clapping to the beat of the song, humming along, or doing simple echoing sounds. It doesn't really matter just getting them involved in music can make powerful transformations.

Individuals on the autism spectrum are commonly found to be good at music. Some people have perfect pitch, while others may play a particular instrument very well. Even if they show no genius musical ability by common standards you may find that a particularly person has abilities in music that exceed his or her other abilities. A musical therapist can use music as a way to link this kind of learning with other kinds of learning skills such as communicating emotions or improving memory. Trained professionals can use music to teach children and others how to communicate in nonverbal ways, making it easier for patients to learn.

However, music doesn't need to be reserved for a therapy or a classroom setting. Play music in the home and/or car as a way to introduce new sounds, instruments, and voices into the auditory world for an autistic individual. Break out those Beatles albums and you never know what might emerge for a person on the spectrum. They too may find their favorite Beatles song and learn to sign and communicate in a way they never have before.

Autism really is treatable! Biomedical Autism treatments and therapies have resulted in many, many children improving, or even even losing their autism-spectrum disorder diagnosis. For lots more free biomedical autism intervention information and videos from Dr. Woeller, go to http://www.AutismRecoveryTreatment.com.

Dr. Kurt Woeller is an biomedical autism Intervention specialist, with a private practice in Southern California for over 10 years. He has helped children recover from autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders, and has the information you need to help your child. Download his free ebook at http://www.AutismActionPlan.org.

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