Treatment of Autism

No Magic Cure

Hope for an instant cure persists, but no such treatment has so far been found. It is perhaps unlikely that autism will ever be fully ‘cured’, as irreversible brain damage is probably the root problem. Nevertheless, the right treatment can facilitate huge improvements in quality of life.

Behavioral Therapy

The most important treatment component is therapy with a skilled, dedicated educator. In fact, the type of therapy needed may be more accurately called ‘education’ than treatment. The earlier that this therapy can begin, the better the chances are of lasting improvement in the autistic individual.

The goals of any behavioral therapy program are numerous. Often, basic social skills are the most important thing to instill in a sufferer. Appropriate body language, modulated tone of voice and use of eye signals must all be painstakingly learned. Most of us take these skills for granted, but they are usually a mystery to autistic individuals. Researcher Michael Rutter reports working with an autistic man who complained that everyone else seemed to be able to “read minds”. In other words, they were responding to subtle social signals missed or misread by the autistic individual.

For some sufferers, a key goal of therapy may be to help curb self-destructive or violent habits. Hair pulling, banging the head against a wall and self-biting are common stereotyped behaviors. In a similar vein, autistic individuals may be unaware of the physical pain that they are able to cause others.

A common treatment approach is applied behavior analysis. In short, this treatment consists of a series of carefully chosen ‘tasks’. For each task, the therapist makes a request of the sufferer. The sufferer’s actions are monitored, and the therapist gives a response, such as a small reward for a completed task. The therapy aims to have a two-pronged approach, both teaching new skills (e.g., social skills) and correcting unhealthy behaviors (e.g., self-destructive habits). It is effective, but also very time-consuming and may be emotionally demanding for the sufferer.

Drugs

Several categories of drugs have been shown to improve behavior in autistic individuals. The tranquilizer family of benzodiazepines, used to treat anxiety disorders, has been reported to help with behavioral problems. However, as with all tranquilizers, long-term use is usually inappropriate. Antipsychotic medication such as Clorazil appears to reduce hyperactivity, withdrawal and aggression. Stimulants such as Ritalin may help sufferers focus their attention for longer periods.

Certain antidepressants may be of particular help to some sufferers. Recent research indicates that many autistic individuals have very low levels of serotonin in the left hemisphere of the brain. So-called serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Prozac, cause raised serotonin levels in the brain. Trials indicate that drugs in this family can improve both mood and language ability in sufferers, sometimes markedly.

Dietary Supplements

Some parents of autistic children report that certain dietary supplements have caused improvements in behavior.

These reports are likely to have some scientific merit. Autistic individuals are often picky eaters with poor digestion, and may be candidates to benefit from certain vitamins and mineral supplements. Dimethyglycine (DMG), found in brown rice and liver, has been reported to improve behavior. Vitamin B6, magnesium and general multivitamin supplements may also be helpful. However, any drug or supplement should be administered under the guidance of a physician.

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