| Autism refers to a brain disorder, which typically | | | | program where toddlers receive a lot of positive |
| affects a child's ability to communicate, form | | | | reinforcement. Activities begin from simple actions |
| relationships, and respond appropriately to the | | | | (identifying colors) and progress to more advanced |
| environment. While some people suffering from | | | | activities (language). ABA depends on prompting, |
| Autism are relatively high functioning, there are | | | | positive reinforcement, and differential reinforcement. |
| others who are mentally retarded, have serious | | | | Nutritional Therapy |
| language delays, or are mute. | | | | This therapy is based on the surmise that certain |
| The actual cause of Autism is not known. But Autism | | | | ingredients in food can have a damaging effect on |
| is relatively easy to spot, and children as young as 18 | | | | the brain of an autistic person. Leaving some |
| months start showing symptoms. It is futile to | | | | substances out of the diet (milk and gluten, for |
| believe that children will just grow out of it. In fact, | | | | instance) have shown startling positive changes in |
| the early years provide the best time for progress | | | | patients. Additionally, vitamin-B12 and magnesium |
| and improvement. So, intensive therapy should begin | | | | supplements are administered to cover any |
| as early as possible. While different children suffering | | | | deficiencies. These kinds of special diets curtail some |
| from Autism may have different problems, parents | | | | of the more distressing symptoms like disruptive |
| of such children have to face one overwhelming | | | | outbursts, restlessness, and sleeping disorders. |
| challenge - there is no single agreed upon method for | | | | Anti-fungal Treatment |
| treating this condition. Parents, researchers, and | | | | Since autistic children often suffer from poor bowel |
| doctors have not been able to reach common ground | | | | ecology, overgrowth of fungi and microbes is a |
| here. | | | | problem. Therefore, autistic children respond well to |
| Autism treatment usually consists of a combination of | | | | anti-fungal treatments. These children are also found |
| behavioral therapy, language and speech therapy, and | | | | to have high concentrations of yeast and anaerobic |
| special education in schools. Reports suggest that | | | | bacteria. Evidence suggests that Candida Albicans, a |
| play-based behavioral therapies and alternative | | | | form of yeast, may cause Autism and may also |
| treatments involving dietary restrictions and vitamin | | | | exacerbate the behavioral and health problems found |
| supplements are beneficial. But, there is no solid proof | | | | in autistic children. |
| to support this. What makes matters worse is that | | | | A detoxification treatment called Chelation Therapy is |
| many children are beset with additional problems like | | | | slowly gaining popularity among doctors. This |
| sleeping difficulties, anxiety, or gastrointestinal | | | | treatment is based on the theory that some |
| problems. | | | | children's vaccines are exceptionally high in heavy |
| ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) | | | | metals like mercury preservatives, and this causes |
| This is often referred to as the Intensive Behavioral | | | | autism. |
| Intervention (though there are differences between | | | | It is because of the vast multitude of therapies that |
| the two). Studies show that children suffering from | | | | many desperate parents opt for combination |
| Autism can make dramatic progress when they | | | | treatments. An estimated 30% of parents try special |
| receive this kind of instruction. Parents and doctors | | | | diets, non-traditional methods, or vitamin treatments. |
| mostly accept this treatment because this is one of | | | | Music, vision therapy treatments, yoga and |
| the most researched of all treatments. This program | | | | horseback riding are also used to treat autism. |
| involves intensive one-to-one interaction between the | | | | Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict which |
| child and the teacher. Each skill is broken down into | | | | children will benefit from a program or whether there |
| sub-skills and each of these sub-skills is taught | | | | is light at the end of that particular tunnel at all. |
| intensely, one at a time. It is a reward-based | | | | |