Autism Spectrum Disorder Therapies: Effective Behavioral Approaches For Autistic Children (VIDEO)

Greater understanding of autism has led to the development of a number of effective behavioral therapies for the 1 to 1.5 million Americans currently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.

Because the behavioral symptoms that underlie the various disorders on the autism spectrum -- impaired social interaction, fixation on objects, tantrums, resistance to change, resistance to physical contact, lack of eye contact and difficulty communicating -- differ in intensity from disorder to disorder and even from individual to individual, early diagnosis has been difficult. However, University of Michigan researchers have developed criteria that allow autism spectrum disorders to be diagnosed as early as age 2.

This is crucial because early diagnosis is a key to helping children with autism spectrum disorders develop language and social skills. Once a diagnosis is made, individually tailored, behavioral interventions can begin -- including play therapy and the so-called "Hug Machine," a curious device that a child can use to apply deep pressure to his or her body without having to make physical contact with another person.

WATCH:

Comments

[Anil Minocha]

09:15 AM on 07/03/2011

The causation of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) appears to be multifactorial with critical interaction between environmental factors and the genetics which then leads to multitude of variable manifestations in the patients. Healing of such complex disorders also needs to target the root causes while helping via behavioral therapies.
In the context of non-genetic factors, the role of gut bacteria and "leaky gut" have received a lot of attention. Clostridial spores have been implicated. There is limited data that antibiotics may affect the symptoms seen in ASD.
Similarly, there is evidence that patients with ASD may have abnormally increased intestinal permeability allowing potentially unwelcome substances access into the body blood stream and brain. Limited data indicates that use of exclusion/eliminations diets is helpful in ameliorating the manifestations of ASD. http://goo.gl/dRoFR
Anil Minocha, Shreveport

[Dyson]

07:24 PM on 06/19/2011

Interesting how some "autism advocates" with autistic kids who regularly flood any Huffpo vaccination-related post (to scaremonger about vaccines) are conspicuous by their absence when Huffpo features an article about effective management approaches for autism.

Anyone would think they are more interested in dissing vaccines than in helping their kids.

[Saijanai]

01:34 PM on 06/14/2011

There's no research on autism and TM yet, but this is a very hopeful presentation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq9kP3YJPMk&feature=share

[NancyPeske]

12:35 PM on 06/12/2011

Great piece on overlooked aspects of sensory processing disorder: Children will often need a sense of control over the sensory input they receive, and their self-regulation and awareness of their sensory needs can be very poor. A sensory smart OT can be invaluable in helping these kids but it's also incredibly helpful for kids if their parents learn about sensory issues and use techniques to help their children tolerate sensory input, get their sensory needs met, become mindful of their sensory needs and arousal level, and over time, develop self-regulation. The self-regulation piece does not come right away but using these techniques over time at school, at home, and away really does retrain the nervous system to function more typically.

http://www.sensorysmartparent.com

[Zidlow]

09:09 PM on 06/09/2011

That little girl in the videom seems to be really with it.......I would never guess she was on the spectrum.
My son was diagnosed at 2.

We brought him to YAP (Young Autism Program ) on Long Island where they educated Elijah with ABA.We believe that training helped him enormously.
He is now 16 very talented and bright.His social skills,like many other spectrum kids are whats lacking.

He also likes "pressure" on him.........amazing.
We call him an Awetee Knight because he is so cool:)
Zidlow Marx,
Father and Author

[Alleviate Autism]

08:30 PM on 06/09/2011

Case and Point...