There is no cure for autism. However, there are many treatments and therapies which can be used to help people live independent and fulfilling lives. There are several different intervention programmes, which are specialist educational and behavioural programmes, as well as treatments, including medication. Interventions are designed to deal with specific areas of difficulty associated with autism: these include communication skills, academic learning, cognitive skills and social skills.
Therapies
Examples of therapies used to treat people with autism include:
- Behavioural therapy; known as Applied Behavioural Analysis
- Speech and language therapy
- Pre-school training; this usually involves an intensive programme, which prepares children for school
- Occupational therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Early Bird programme: this is designed for pre-school children
- TEACCH: this is a programme that focuses on learning through visual prompts
Medication
Medication cannot be used to treat autism as a condition, but it can be used to treat specific symptoms, such as aggressive behaviour and repetitive thoughts and actions. The most common form of medication used to treat people with autism is the antidepressant known as SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
Alternative therapies
Research shows that most parents of autistic children have tried alternative therapies, such as special diets, vitamin supplements and anti-fungal medication. However, there is very little evidence to suggest that any of these methods work.
