Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Diagnosis
During routine
check-ups, your child's doctor will look for signs of developmental delays.
If your child exhibits any autism spectrum disorder symptoms, you will most
likely be referred to a specialist who treats children with autism spectrum
disorder, like a child & adolescent psychiatrist or child psychologist, or
pediatric neurologist, for a detailed assessment of Autism.
Making a diagnosis of
autism spectrum disorder can be difficult due to the wide range of symptoms and
severity. As there is no specific biomarker-based medical test that can be used
to diagnose the disorder. Rather, a Child specialist or Clinical Psychologist
may:
- Observe your child and inquire about how his or her social
interactions, motor movements, communication skills, and behavior have changed
over time.
- Give your child hearing, speech, and language tests, as well as
tests for developmental level and social and behavioral issues.
- Give your child structured social and communication interactions
and grade their performance.
- Use the criteria from the American Psychiatric Association's
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
- Include other specialists in the diagnosis process.
- In order to determine whether your child has a genetic disorder such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome, we recommend genetic testing.
- You can use the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism(ISAA) or Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS;
Treatment
There is no specific
cure or treatment for autism spectrum disorder, and no one-size-fits-all
treatment. The major goal of treatment of the autistic child is to improve your
child's ability to major function by reducing symptoms of autism spectrum
disorder and promoting motor, cognitive, speech & language,
social-emotional development, and learning. Early detection and early
intervention during your child's preschool years can help them learn important
social, communication, functional, and behavioral skills more adequately.
The variety of
home-based and school-based autism spectrum disorder treatments and
interventions available can be overwhelming, and your child's needs may change
over time. Your healthcare provider can suggest options and assist you in
locating resources in your area.
If your child has autism
spectrum disorder, consult with experts about developing a treatment plan and
assembling a team of professionals to meet your child's needs.
Among the treatment
options available are:
- Communication and behavior therapies
Many programs address
the social, language, and behavioral difficulties that are common in autism
spectrum disorder. Some programs emphasize problem behavior reduction and the
acquisition of new skills. Other programs teach children how to behave in
social situations or how to communicate more effectively with others. Through a
reward-based motivation system, applied behavior analysis (ABA) can assist
children in learning new skills and generalizing these skills to a variety of
situations.
- Educational therapies are available.
The design of structured
individualized educational programs often works well for children with an
autism spectrum disorder. A team of specialists and a variety of activities to
improve social skills, communication, and behavior are typically included in successful
programs. ABA Therapies are of great help. Children in preschool who
receive intensive, individualized behavioral interventions frequently make good
progress.
- Family therapy
It is strongly
recommended that Parents and other family members can learn how to play and
interact with their children in ways that promote social interaction skills,
problem behavior management, and the teaching of daily living skills and
communication.
- Other treatments.
Speech therapy to
improve communication skills, occupational therapy to teach activities of daily
living, and physical therapy to improve movement and balance may all be
beneficial depending on your child's needs. A psychologist can make suggestions
for dealing with problem behavior.
- Medications.
Specific medications can
help control symptoms but do not improve the core symptoms of autism spectrum
disorder. For example, if your child is hyperactive, certain medications may be
prescribed; antipsychotic drugs are sometimes used to treat severe behavioral problems,
and antidepressants may be prescribed for anxiety. Keep all of your child's
healthcare providers up to date on any medications or supplements he or she is
taking. Some medications and supplements can interact, resulting in potentially
dangerous side effects.
Managing additional
medical and mental health issues
Aside from autism
spectrum disorder, children, adolescents, and adults may also experience:
- Problems with medical health. Children with autism spectrum disorder may also suffer from
medical issues such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, restricted food preferences,
or stomach problems. Inquire with your child's doctor about the best way to
manage these conditions together.
- Transition to adulthood issues. Teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorder may struggle
to understand physical changes. Furthermore, social situations become more
complex in adolescence, and tolerance for individual differences may decrease.
The adolescent period can be difficult because of behavioral issues. Teenage
counselling would be of great help.
- Other
mental health problems.
Sometimes other co-morbidities of mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are common in teens and adults
with autism spectrum disorder. Help is available from your doctor, a mental
health professional, and community advocacy and service organizations.
Making plans for the
future
Children with autism
spectrum disorder typically continue to learn and compensate for problems
throughout their lives, but the majority will require some level of assistance.
Planning for your child's future opportunities, such as employment, college,
living situation, independence, and support services, can help make this
process go more smoothly. You can consult Dr. R K Suri Best Child psychologist at Dwarka, Janakpuri,
West Delhi at Psychowellness Center, You
can also consult the best clinical psychologists at TalktoAngel No. 1 Online Mental Health Wellbeing
Platform.
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