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Posts Tagged ‘Autism Spectrum Disorders’

6
Feb

What Can You Tell Me About Pdd And High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders?

What can you tell me about PDD: Pervasive Development Disorder? Especially the higher functioning end?
My son was a new preliminary diagnosis of PDD. They say that he is on the higher functioning end of the Autism Spectrum. What can you tell me about high functioning autism… and PDD?

27
Sep

Diagnosing Autism and the Differences With Sensory Integration Disorder

When it comes to diagnosing autism, there are many different factors that need to be considered. This is because the autism spectrum disorders have such a vast range of potential symptoms and no two cases are alike. Therefore, it is very easy to mistake autism for another condition. Among the most common mistakes when diagnosing autism is not understanding the difference between being on the spectrum, and sensory integration disorder.
This leads to the question of whether autism spectrum disorder and sensory integration disorder (also known as sensory processing disorder) are the same condition, or at the very least if they are related. Does one exclude the other? To begin, they are considered to be completely separate disorders, but to further understand them, Dr. Lucy Jane Miller performed a study “Quantitative psychophysiologic evaluation of Sensory Processing in children with autistic spectrum disorders”, involving 40 high functioning autism or Aspergers Syndrome children who were tested for sensory integration disorder.
Dr Miller’s results showed 78 percent of the participating children also displayed notable signs of sensory integration disorder. While, 22 percent of the participants did not show signs. However, a secondary study by the same researchers, “Relations among subtypes of Sensory Modulation Dysfunction” looked into children diagnosed with sensory integration disorder and tested them to see how many also had autism. Within that experiment, zero percent of the participants had autism. The reason that this is interesting is that while children with autism can exist without having sensory integration disorder, the majority show signs of the condition. On the other hand, there is no inclination toward autism in children who have only sensory integration disorder.
Children with both disorders demonstrate challenges with high-level tasks that involve the integration of different areas of the brain. This can include emotional regulation as well as complex sensory functions. However, the key to diagnosing autism as opposed to sensory integration disorder usually lies in the fact that autistic children experience greater problems in the areas of language, empathy, and social skills. Sensory integration disorder children do not experience the same connective breakdowns for controlling emotional empathy and social interaction.
In both disorders, children experience difficulties in tasks that require their brains to make long-distance connections, for example, between the frontal lobes (which coordinate the activities of the brain) and with the cerebellum (which regulates the perceptions and responses within the brain).
If you think that your child may have one or both of these disorders, it is important to speak to your child’s pediatrician for autism diagnosing or identification of sensory integration disorder on its own or in combination with autism. If autism or autism alongside sensory integration disorder is the diagnosis, then you will be able to begin talking about the possible treatments available. These treatments can include various medications as well as alternative therapies and may overlap in terms of addressing aspects of both conditions simultaneously. For example many children with autism benefit from sensory integration therapies that also work well for children with sensory integration disorder.

22
Sep

Autism – Treatment Overview

Autism is one of a group of serious developmental problems called autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that appear in early childhood — usually before age 3. Though symptoms and severity vary, all autism disorders affect a child’s ability to communicate and interact with others.It’s estimated that three to six out of every 1,000 children in the United States have autism — and the number of diagnosed cases is rising. It’s not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting of autism, a real increase in the number of cases, or both. Holding TherapyIn this technique, the parent hugs the child for long periods of time, even if the child resists. Those who use the technique contend that it forges a bond between the parent and child. Some claim that it helps stimulate parts of the brain as the child senses the boundaries of his or her own body. There is no scientific evidence, however, to support these claims. Treatments of childhood autismMusic or dance therapy can bring a child with autism out of isolation. Play therapy is effective for some kids with autism.Go gluten-free. Dealing with environmental and food sensitivities is important in treating childhood autism. Since gluten is a common food sensitivity in both adults and kids with autism, it’s best to eat gluten-free products. Autism research shows that almost 50% of people with autism have improved symptoms when on a gluten-free diet.Proponents of restrictive diets believe that casein, a protein found in dairy products, and gluten, a protein found in many grains, affect brain development and behavior, causing autism in some children. However, there’s no scientific evidence that this is true or that restricting these foods improves autism. Furthermore, restrictive diets can result in nutritional deficiencies in growing children.An effective treatment program will build on the child’s interests, offer a predictable schedule, teach tasks as a series of simple steps, actively engage the child’s attention in highly structured activities, and provide regular reinforcement of behavior. Parental involvement has emerged as a major factor in treatment success. Parents work with teachers and therapists to identify the behaviors to be changed and the skills to be taught. Recognizing that parents are the child’s earliest teachers, more programs are beginning to train parents to continue the therapy at home.Behavioral training and management- Behavioral training and management uses positive reinforcement, self-help, and social skills training to improve behavior and communication. Many types of treatments have been developed, including Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), and sensory integration.TEACCHAnother program is called the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH). TEACCH, developed as a statewide program in North Carolina, uses picture schedules and other visual cues. These help the child work independently and to organize and structure their environments. Though TEACCH tries to enhance a child’s adaptation and skills, there is also an acceptance of the deficits associated with autism spectrum disorders. In contrast to ABA programs, TEACCH programs do not anticipate that children will achieve typical developmental progress in response to the treatment.

7
Sep

The signs of autism spectrun disorders must be spotted in time

Autism Spectrum Disorders are neurological conditions that affect the mental, physical development and the behaviors, communication skills and social interactions of people who suffer from such a disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorders range from milder forms of neurological disturbances to serious conditions, such as autism. Lots of children are diagnosed with forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders at birth, while others reveal the symptoms of such disorders in their first years of life.

The incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders with children is so great, that it exceeds other conditions like diabetes, meningitis and Down syndrome. Due to the large numbers of children that develop forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders, it is very important to quickly spot the signs of such conditions. Children with neurological disorders need special attention and sometimes they require permanent monitoring, as in the case of children with severe autism. Also, speed is vital, as children with Autism Spectrum Disorders need specific medical treatment in order to minimize undesirable effects.

A disturbing fact is the lack of attention paid to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Poor information and lack of experience determine most parents, caretakers, teachers, physicians and even pediatricians to ignore the first symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders. They sometimes believe that children with such disorders only experience difficulties in growth and therefore fail to correctly diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders at early ages. Despite the fact that prompt intervention greatly minimizes the symptoms and the malign effects of Autism Spectrum Disorders, increasing the child’s chances to grow normally, more than 50% of children aren’t properly diagnosed with a neurological disorder until they reach ages of three to five years.

Children diagnosed with a form of Autism Spectrum Disorders have poor social interaction skills, deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication and stereotype, routine oriented behaviors. Furthermore, children with such disorders experience difficulties in the way they perceive external stimuli. According to the gravity of the disorder, the child will tend to be more or less affected by certain symptoms. People that suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorders have several common traits. However, each individual experiences the disorder in a different way and it is a mistake to try to generalize the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders to all patients.

Children with forms of Autism spectrum Disorders develop differently from normal children. Sometimes, the first signs of neurological disorders are revealed right after birth. In other cases, behavioral abnormalities are revealed later, at different stages in childhood. Sometimes, autistic children seem to grow normally and have good communication and social interaction skills until they reach a certain age. Then, they suddenly begin to show the signs of the disorder, as their behaviors tend to change and their skills considerably deteriorate. This disorder is called regressive autism and it is considered to be a very serious form of Autism Spectrum Disorders, determining dramatic changes at behavioral levels.

Although the actual causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders haven’t yet been clarified, many severe, malign effects of neurological disorders can be kept under control and if they are discovered in time.

If you are looking for a great autism symptoms checklist then visit this site. It’s one of the best autism related sites on the net where you can find useful information on autism symptoms, autism causes and learn how to spot the early signs of autism.
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6
Sep

Recognizing Autism Symptoms

Autism is considered to be the most serious disorder among Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism is triggered by neurological dysfunctions, in some cases causing dramatic, irreversible damage in behaviors, social interactions, communication skills and even physical development. Although people who suffer from autism don’t always seem to be different from normal people, the presence of abnormalities is revealed by the way they socially interact, communicate, and learn.

Autism symptoms can usually be spotted during the first years of life. Despite the fact that autistic people share common features of the disorder, it is wrong to generalize the aspects of autism. People with autism, just like normal people, develop unique, distinctive personalities and have different ways of understanding and relating to the world. Furthermore, people with autism sometimes have high, above average IQ’s. Autistic people usually have good mathematical skills and good memory.

People with autism tend to experience emotional problems at different stages of their lives due to their evasive, withdrawing behaviors and they often become depressed. An obvious autism symptom is the predisposition towards stereotype, repetitive behaviors, and the preference for activities that involve maintaining a certain routine. People with autism strongly resist change and they are usually very tidy and organized. They categorize personal objects, maintaining everything in a very strict order. It is thought that autistic people refuse to engage in spontaneous activities due to their poor adaptability to new situations.

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities proposes the following autism symptoms in identifying the presence of the disorder:

poor emphatic skills, inability of understanding and coping with others’ distress;

inability of relating to other people, lack of interest in other persons; it is a fact that autistic people have behaviors oriented towards the self;

avoidance of social interactions, refusal of making eye contact, isolation from the external world;

difficulties in expressing feelings or understanding other people’s emotions;

poor responsiveness when called by their name, refusal of redirecting their attention towards people when asked to;

difficulties in expressing their needs and desires;

repeating ideas within a conversation, incoherent speech;

unusual reactions to external stimuli like sounds, tastes or smells;

deterioration of the skills they once possessed.

Children with autism need special care and attention and appropriate treatment in order to minimize the harm caused by their disorder. It is vital to pay attention to autism symptoms when suspecting that a child may be suffering from the disorder. Children with autism better deal with the disorder if they have been diagnosed with autism at an early age.

Adults with autism are able to take care of themselves, especially if they suffer from milder forms of the disorder. They can sometimes be successfully integrated in the society and some autistic people can even handle a job. However, many people with autism have unpredictable behaviors and need to be under the constant care of their families. Autistic people that have more severe forms of the disorder are usually institutionalized and kept under strict monitoring.

Visit this links for great information on autism symptoms, signs of autism and many other autism related articles.
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5
Sep

Hypotheses on Autism Causes

Autism Spectrum Disorders are neurological conditions that affect the mental, physical development and the behaviors, communication skills and social interactions of people who suffer from such a disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorders range from milder forms of neurological disturbances to serious conditions, such as autism. Lots of children are diagnosed with forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders at birth, while others reveal the symptoms of such disorders in their first years of life.

The incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders with children is so great, that it exceeds other conditions like diabetes, meningitis and Down syndrome. Due to the large numbers of children that develop forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders, it is very important to quickly spot the signs of such conditions. Children with neurological disorders need special attention and sometimes they require permanent monitoring, as in the case of children with severe autism. Also, speed is vital, as children with Autism Spectrum Disorders need specific medical treatment in order to minimize undesirable effects.

A disturbing fact is the lack of attention paid to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Poor information and lack of experience determine most parents, caretakers, teachers, physicians and even pediatricians to ignore the first symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders. They sometimes believe that children with such disorders only experience difficulties in growth and therefore fail to correctly diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders at early ages. Despite the fact that prompt intervention greatly minimizes the symptoms and the malign effects of Autism Spectrum Disorders, increasing the child’s chances to grow normally, more than 50% of children aren’t properly diagnosed with a neurological disorder until they reach ages of three to five years.

Children diagnosed with a form of Autism Spectrum Disorders have poor social interaction skills, deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication and stereotype, routine oriented behaviors. Furthermore, children with such disorders experience difficulties in the way they perceive external stimuli. According to the gravity of the disorder, the child will tend to be more or less affected by certain symptoms. People that suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorders have several common traits. However, each individual experiences the disorder in a different way and it is a mistake to try to generalize the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders to all patients.

Children with forms of Autism spectrum Disorders develop differently from normal children. Sometimes, the first signs of neurological disorders are revealed right after birth. In other cases, behavioral abnormalities are revealed later, at different stages in childhood. Sometimes, autistic children seem to grow normally and have good communication and social interaction skills until they reach a certain age. Then, they suddenly begin to show the signs of the disorder, as their behaviors tend to change and their skills considerably deteriorate. This disorder is called regressive autism and it is considered to be a very serious form of Autism Spectrum Disorders, determining dramatic changes at behavioral levels.

Although the actual causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders haven’t yet been clarified, many severe, malign effects of neurological disorders can be kept under control and if they are discovered in time.

If you are looking for a great autism symptoms checklist then visit this site. It’s one of the best autism related sites on the net where you can find useful information on autism symptoms, autism causes and learn how to spot the early signs of autism.
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30
Aug

Discover the Signs of Autism

Autism is considered to be a variety of mental retardation, or an occasion as a severe form of obsessive-compulsive illness. The first term of autism appeared around 1912 when psychiatrist Eugene Bleurel used the word to refer to patients who were self-absorbed and out of touch with the rest of the world. The term autism is derived from the Greek word autos, meaning self.

The term shows the communicative isolation that is the foremost feature of the illness. In fact the term referred to schizophrenic individuals who displayed catatonic behaviours and not to autistic patients as it is known today. The autistic syndrome may be described as mental retardation or mental illness. A mild form of autism identified as Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder and it was discovered by Dr. Hans Asperger.

A more general description of autism described by Dr. Leo Kanner was provided. Both doctors recognized the intense isolation experienced by their child patients was the central function of the condition. Mental retardation and obsessive-compulsive disorder is unquestioned today but researchers refined Drs. Kanner and Asperger’s work. Autism is thought as a family of related diseases which today are known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs).

Three other conditions round out the pervasive developmental disorder family Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Asperger’s Disorder. Another diagnosis, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) is used to indicate PDDs of unknown origin. All these developmental disorders are characterized by communication and social impairments. Different causes for the underlying impairments are different one from another; they differ by profiles and intensities of impairment typical of each condition.

Autism spectrum disorders are synonymous with pervasive developmental disorders. A person can have a pervasive developmental disorder and not carry the diagnosis of autism in particular. Because of their insidious nature of autism spectrum of disorders are difficult to recognize. Parents are seldom motivated to assume the worst about their children’s atypical behaviour and symptoms until they become impossible to ignore. Most parents do not bring their children in for formal diagnosis until they are between 18 months and three years of age. As time goes by parents and physicians learn what to look for and more children are diagnosed at earlier ages.

Methods and techniques for identifying pervasive developmental disorders early continue to be refined. The preferred method for identifying autism and related pervasive developmental disorders the behavioral observation has been preferred. Children’s lack of eye contact and social reciprocity are recognized as the major causes of autism. A characteristic of autism and related disorders is the presence of the stereotyped repetitive movements. When they are concerned about a PDD like autism it can be difficult for parents to know what specific signs to look for. A list of warning signs and milestones all revolving around the crucial team of communication deficits.

Such circumstances should be concerned about his child if: the child does not: babble or coo by twelve months, use gestures to communicate and the child does not wave, grasp objects or point to objects by twelve months, say single words by the age of sixteen months and does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months, the child has a loss of any language or social skills at any age. Only a psychiatrist or psychologist observes the child’s behaviour and interviews the parents or guardians he may administer one or more formal tests designed to measure PDD-like behaviour and compare it to normal children behaviour so that the degree of the child’s impairments can be determined.

The doctor will review the test results and observation notes and make a diagnosis based on observable criteria.

It is important for a parent to observe a child’s behaviour and verify its mental health. This method will show if any case of autism appears and it is true also that a specialist should be consult.

More informations about autism symptoms or about autism symptoms checklist can be found by visiting http://www.autism-info-center.com/

More informations about <a href="http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-symptoms.htm” rel=”nofollow”>autism symptoms or about <a href="http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-symptoms.htm” rel=”nofollow”>autism symptoms checklist can be found by visiting http://www.autism-info-center.com/
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21
Aug

Dr. Nelson Mane Talks About Another Factor You May not be Aware of With Regard to Autism

Autism as defined by NINDS is “What is Autism”.

What is autism?

Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).   Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.  Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS).  Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism.  Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.  – National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Most agree that the cause of Autism Spectrum Disorders is multi-factoral and that one specific cause has not been identified. As such, those of us who treat children with ASD are always looking for any other possible cause that can be ruled out in order to make the most effective use of the doctor’s treatment and the patient’s family’s energy. Many parents are not aware that Vitamin D deficiency is a possible factor which may influence the development, treatment and potential improvement of these children.Let’s go to the scientific literature.

Autism and vitamin D

Atascadero State Hospital, Psychiatry, 10333 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93423, United States.

Any theory of autism’s etiology must take into account its strong genetic basis while explaining its striking epidemiology. The apparent increase in the prevalence of autism over the last 20 years corresponds with increasing medical advice to avoid the sun, advice that has probably lowered vitamin D levels and would theoretically greatly lower activated vitamin D (calcitriol) levels in developing brains. Animal data has repeatedly shown that severe vitamin D deficiency during gestation dysregulates dozens of proteins involved in brain development and leads to rat pups with increased brain size and enlarged ventricles, abnormalities similar to those found in autistic children. Children with the Williams Syndrome, who can have greatly elevated calcitriol levels in early infancy, usually have phenotypes that are the opposite of autism. Children with vitamin D deficient rickets have several autistic markers that apparently disappear with high-dose vitamin D treatment. Estrogen and testosterone have very different effects on calcitriol’s metabolism, differences that may explain the striking male/female sex ratios in autism. Calcitriol down-regulates production of inflammatory cytokines in the brain, cytokines that have been associated with autism. Consumption of vitamin D containing fish during pregnancy reduces autistic symptoms in offspring. Autism is more common in areas of impaired UVB penetration such as poleward latitudes, urban areas, areas with high air pollution, and areas of high precipitation. Autism is more common in dark-skinned persons and severe maternal vitamin D deficiency is exceptionally common the dark-skinned. Conclusion: simple Gaussian distributions of the enzyme that activates neural calcitriol combined with widespread gestational and/or early childhood vitamin D deficiency may explain both the genetics and epidemiology of autism. If so, much of the disease is iatrogenic, brought on by medical advice to avoid the sun. Several types of studies could easily test the theory.

PMID: 17920208 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Dr. Mane offers one on one consultations as well as Group Seminars  for parents and children who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorders.  If you are interested in scheduling a consultation or to attend a seminar please call 813-935-4744. 

For more information about Dr. Nelson Mane, D.C. and his treatment approach for ASD go to http://www.manecenter.com/ADHD.htm. 

 

16
Aug

Autism, the Common Form of Disorder in Humans

Autism is the neurodevelopment mess which manifests itself in obvious abnormal communal interface, pattern of interest, communication ability and pattern of presentation. The precise etiology of autism is unidentified; researchers believe that autism is the consequences of genetically mediate vulnerabilities to the ecological triggers. There is deviation about the nature of mechanism and magnitude for such ecological factor; researchers have recognized out seven genes that are common among those diagnosed as autistic. Diagnosis is mostly based on the list of psychiatric criterion, and a chain of standardized health check tests might also be used. Entire bodily and neurological assessment will typically be the constituent of diagnosing autism. It has been speculated that autism is not a lone condition but a group of numerous distinct situation which manifest it in related ways.
It has been estimated that autism occurs inside one in every 1000 child world wide. For the family that formerly has one autistic child had the higher danger of having next autistic child in the family. Well Autism is found 2 to 4 times extra familiar in boys; the Girls suffering from this mess lean to have cruel symptoms and superior cognitive mutilation.
Autism treatment is normally diagnosed in the minor cases; Autism diagnosis is usually done using “ICD-10, DSM-IV “or other protocols base clarification of activities, and not regularly followed up with a complete neuropsychiatry, neurobiological assessment. Such treatments are fairly involved and can be beyond the capital of numerous parents.
The professional they work with may select only positive portion which develops depending on their clarification of the child and his history.
Following the account, more than one treatment could be found out to be suitable for the patient.
If metabolic disorders are suspected, DAN (Defeat Autism Now!) protocol could be used to locate it. Tests for possible metabolic deficits are Organic Acids, Urinary Peptides, Gluten Sensitivity, Liver detoxification, Stool Analysis, Minerals, Amino Acid Analysis, Food Allergies, Minerals, Genetic Tests, and Immunological Tests
There are a number of ethical challenges to the treatment of the autism but parents are responding well to the moral treatment, claiming the recompense of their children which is established from these treatments is too significant. In addition, these parents don’t consider these treatments as destructive as people say they are. Autism is the most severe form of disorder therefore; its cure is very essential and should be done prior to it becomes much of problem.

I have been writing on health and various medicines for various sites till this date, and would like to write more on various environmental and people based topics in future. to know more about autism and its effects on human click onto http://www.myhealthylive.com/
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14
Aug

Autism – Signs and Symptoms of Autism

Autism is a severe developmental disorder that begins at birth or within the first two-and-a-half years of life. Most autistic children are perfectly normal in appearance, but spend their time engaged in puzzling and disturbing behaviors which are markedly different from those of typical children. Less severe cases may be diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or with Asperger’s Syndrome (these children typically have normal speech, but they have many “autistic” social and behavioral problems).

Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.

Signs and Symptoms of Autism

The list of symptoms and behaviors associated with autism is long, and each affected person expresses his or her own combination of these behaviors. None of these clinical features is common to all people with autism, and many are occasionally exhibited by people who are not autistic.

Autistic infants may act relatively normal during their first few months of life before becoming less responsive to their parents and other stimuli. They may have difficulty with feeding or toilet training; may not smile in recognition of their parents’ faces, and may put up resistance to being cuddled.

An autistic child has poor judgment and is therefore always at risk for danger. For instance, an autistic child may run into a busy street without any sign of fear.

During adolescence, some children with autism may become depressed or experience behavioral problems. Parents of these children should be ready to adjust treatment for their child as needed.

Autistic persons often exhibit a variety of repetitive, abnormal behaviors. There may also be a hypersensitivity to sensory input through vision, hearing, or touch (tactile). As a result, there may be an extreme intolerance to loud noises or crowds, visual stimulation, or things that are felt.

Young children with autism also have a hard time sharing experiences with others. When someone reads to them, for example, they’re unlikely to point at pictures in the book. This early-developing social skill is crucial to later language and social development.

Sleep problems are known to be more common in children with developmental disabilities, and there is some evidence that children with ASD are more likely to have even more sleep problems than those with other developmental disabilities; autistic children may experience problems including difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and early morning awakenings. Dominick et al. found that about two-thirds of children with ASD had a history of sleep problems

Treatment for Autism

Diet: Some children with autism appear to respond to a gluten-free or a casein-free diet. Gluten is found in foods containing wheat, rye, and barley. Casein is found in milk, cheese, and other dairy products. Not all experts agree that dietary changes will make a difference, and not all reports studying this method have shown positive results.

Behavioral and communication therapies: Many programs have been developed to address the range of social, language and behavioral difficulties associated with autism. Some programs focus on reducing problem behaviors and teaching new skills. Other programs focus on teaching children how to act in social situations or how to communicate better with other people.

Communication therapy: Communication therapy is used to treat autistic patients who are unable to communicate verbally, or to initiate language development in young children with the disorder. Speech therapy may be used to help patients gain the ability to speak.

Medicine: Medicines are often used to treat behavior or emotional problems that people with autism may have. These include hyperactivity, impulsiveness, attention problems, irritability, mood swings, outbursts, tantrums, aggression, extreme compulsions that the child finds it impossible to suppress, sleep difficulty, and anxiety. Currently, only risperidone is approved for treatment of children ages 5-16 with irritability and aggression associated with autism.