How to Get Experimental Autism Treatments

There is no cure for autism, and many treatments are considered experimental. Current treatments address behavioral, nutritional and medical needs, and all have detractors and proponents. Autism treatments range from detoxification diets and physical therapy to drugs that manage depression and behavioral therapy that builds language and social skills. Read on to learn more about how to get experimental autism treatments.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Get Experimental Autism Treatments by Talking to Providers

1. Hire certified therapists and behavior analysts with specific experience in working with autistic children. Some experimental treatments can have adverse affects when administered by providers who are not experienced in the method.
2. Speak with general education and special education teachers in your area to learn about new treatment methods, and to find out how to get help for your child.
3. Meet with other parents of autistic children to find out which methods have worked for them. Results may vary from child to child, but some treatments have had consistently good results in improving language, social and life skills.
4. Consult with early intervention providers, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, physical therapists and osteopaths to learn about the treatments they can provide for autistic children.

Research Experimental Autism Treatments

5. Start your search for autism treatments by learning about what's out there. Some of the more established methods are Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Discrete Trial Training (DTT). These behavior modification methods use observation, positive reinforcement and repetition to teach behavioral skills.
6. Consider play therapy as a way to help your child develop language, life and social skills through role-playing, games and make-believe. By teaching autistic children to play and use their imagination, therapists can often help them learn about cause and effect and problem solving.
7. Find out how Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) can help your child integrate their five senses to improve coordination, balance and motor skills.
8. Learn about Auditory Integration Training (AIT), which can help your child overcome sensitivity to certain sounds.
9. Get information about educational programs such as Floor Time, and methods being used by programs such as TEACCH and Son-Rise.
10. Broaden your search for experimental treatments by looking into Music Therapy to develop language skills, Sound Therapy, which stimulates the brain through vibrations, Holding Therapy to establish mother-child bonds often missing in autistic children, CranioSacral and Massage Therapy, which can calm autistic children and improve eye contact.
11. Consider nutritional treatments, such as removing yeast, gluten and dairy from your child's diet to combat food allergies common to many autistic children.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult your child's physician before making any decision regarding experimental treatments, especially those involving diet and exercise programs.