| The first step in treating autism is developing an | | | | The main goal in treating autism is to provide an |
| understanding of what autism is. One out of every | | | | autistic child with the ability to function within their |
| 150 births is estimated to result in a child affected by | | | | environment. Often times various types of treatment |
| this neurological "spectrum disorder". This disorder | | | | are used in combination to help them achieve this. |
| affects the normal functions of the brain that impact | | | | Treatments such as behavior modification, |
| social interaction and communication skills. | | | | communication therapy and dietary modifications are |
| Autism is considered a "spectrum disorder" because it | | | | used to help improve the mental and physical |
| has the ability to affect each individual differently, | | | | symptoms of autism. The most common type of |
| resulting in various combinations of behavior issues | | | | treatment is based on applied behavior analysis. This |
| with varying degrees of severity. This results in | | | | theory is based upon the idea that behavior that is |
| children displaying different levels of autism and is | | | | rewarded is more likely to be repeated then behavior |
| reflected in the various references to the disorder | | | | that is ignored. This type of treatment directly |
| such as autistic tendencies, high or low-functioning | | | | addresses the obsessive and repetitive tendencies of |
| autism and more or less enabled. It is important that | | | | autistic spectrum disorders. |
| anyone interested in treating autism not pay too | | | | In addition to obsessive behaviors, most autistic |
| close attention to the term used to define a child's | | | | children show great resistance to change. The |
| specific level of autism, as every child has the ability | | | | combination of these two behaviors results in a very |
| to improve their condition with treatment and | | | | great need for structure in their lives. Using behavior |
| education. | | | | modification techniques that are highly-structured and |
| The symptoms of Autism disorders are varied and | | | | skill-oriented can greatly improve an autistic child's |
| are often times confused with symptoms of | | | | chance of improvement. The more controlled the |
| Asperger's Disorder. Although both disorders fall | | | | treatment, the better the child will cope with it. Part |
| under the larger umbrella of "Pervasive | | | | of the treatment is also controlling the environment |
| Developmental Disorders" and share some of the | | | | the treatment is conducted in. To ease the obsessive |
| same traits, each is a very different disorder. Where | | | | behavior and resistance to any type of change, |
| autism is a neurological disorder, Asperger's sufferers | | | | intense one-on-one treatment and extensive |
| show far fewer neurological problems than their | | | | caregiver participation is best. |
| autism counterparts. They also display a higher verbal | | | | The most important thing in treating autism is to |
| IQ than performance IQ in testing, the exact | | | | recognize that each child, while having the same |
| opposite of autistic IQ testing results. These | | | | diagnosis, will exhibit very different symptoms. Each |
| differences between these disorders are very | | | | path of treatment will vary but will need to |
| important to those developing ways to treat autism, | | | | incorporate the basic needs of autism sufferers, such |
| as different approaches are needed for each | | | | as routine and scheduling, as well as the needs of |
| disorder. | | | | each individual child. |