Like other types of neurodivergence, autism is not an illness that has to be treated . Autistic people may need varying degrees of care and may have other disorders that call for medical attention.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders includes autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a diagnosis for people with neurodevelopmental problems. The autistic community has asked for a change in terminology. We should help rather than see autism as something we need to “cure” or “fix.” Traditionally, it has been viewed as a sickness that needs to be treated.
If you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person, as autistic person and advocate Dr. Stephen Shore put it.
2 Although autism is characterized by a lot of distinct symptoms, each person will exhibit these traits in a unique way.
Seizure disorders, mental health diseases, and other medical problems are common comorbid diagnoses among autistic persons and require medical or psychiatric therapy. 3 Furthermore, because they live in a society where neurotypical standards are prevalent, autistic persons are more likely than the general population to experience abuse, trauma, and high levels of stress. 4 To serve with these challenges, treatment and support are available.
The Neurodiversity at Work Psychotherapy Introduction
Psychotherapy treatments for trauma or co-occurring mental health disorders may be helpful for autistic persons. Healthcare professionals who care about the community and accept neurodiversity are crucial. Not all needs are the same, and many therapies have a history of trying to cure autism or make autistic patients stop having symptoms.
Application-Based Analysis (ABA)
Many autistic people say applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is harsh or traumatizing.
5 It can be difficult and cause autistic burnout when ABA treatment goals emphasis hiding autistic features above helping the autistic client.
Speech Therapy
A lot of autistic persons have trouble speaking. They could either communicate just seldom or not at all. Developing good communication skills with the assistance of a trained speech-language pathologist can help the autistic person meet their requirements.
Helpful Technology
With using assistive technology, persons with autism can communicate without applying spoken language. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), which teaches communication skills through symbols and images, is one of the most well-known systems.
Physical Exercise
An autistic person’s motor abilities are the main focus of physical therapy. Physical therapy aids in developing abilities like balance, coordination, and even the ability to walk and sit comfortably.
Workplace Therapy
The goal of occupational therapy is to help autistic individuals live as independently as possible, and it can benefit those who have sensory overload.
Occupational therapy helps autistic people lead normal lives with few disruptions.
Medication
Although there aren’t any drugs, especially for autism, many autistic persons have coexisting issues that may require medication. An autistic person may decide to consider pharmacological assistance for their symptoms if they experience anxiety, difficulty controlling their emotions, or self-harming tendencies.
When contemplating any intervention, it is crucial to take the autistic person’s needs and preferences into account. The goal of a pharmaceutical regimen is to make the individual taking the medicine look good, not to make them weak. Some medications can aid self-regulation and avoid risky conduct.
Risperidone
Risperidone is FDA-approved to alleviate violent temper tantrums, and aggressive and self-harming behaviors. In 2005, researchers found that risperidone helps autistic children with bad behaviors by half.6
Aripripazole
Aripiprazole helps autistic persons who battle with agitation because it is primarily used to treat this condition. In a 2010 trial, researchers found that Ariprpazole helped with irritability in autistic children and teens. 7
Medicines that treat depression
Antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft can be used to treat mood disorders like anxiety or sadness. If an autistic person has these symptoms, usually, they should speak with their doctor about antidepressant medication.
Related Reading : What to Know About Autism in Boys
Over-the-Counter (OTC) & Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) (OTC)
Alternative therapies that help autistic people have been studied in addition to psychotherapy and medication. However, there is currently no evidence to support any of these therapies, and in certain circumstances, they could be detrimental. With prudence, one should think about these possibilities.
Chelation Treatment
Heavy metal detoxification is the goal of this therapy, which some have hypothesized would lessen autistic characteristics. This method propagates the fallacious notion that autistic individuals need to be “cured.” A 2015 analysis of research on the efficacy of chelation treatment also discovered a risk of renal impairment, hypocalcemia, and even mortality. 8
Dietary Therapy
Changing one’s diet may help with autism-related physical comorbidities, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, according to some researchers. A change in food has also been advocated as calming sensory disturbances and preventing meltdowns.
When they altered their children’s meals, several parents claimed to have noticed good results. There is, however, very little evidence to back up this assertion, according to a 2017 analysis of 19 studies on the subject. 9
Having said that, keeping a healthy and balanced diet is crucial for anyone’s overall wellbeing.
How to Maximize the Efficiency of Your Treatment
Even though autism does not need to be “cured,” many autistic individuals have functional and psychological challenges and need the right kind of care. Finding the greatest treatment choices and assistance to enable the individual to live their best life is crucial.
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