| Sadly, there is no "cure" for autism, a neurological | | | | Children normally learn language skills by watching |
| disorder that causes developmental disabilities and | | | | and imitating. They hear their parents talk. They |
| usually appears in children by age 3. What there | | | | learn that certain sounds are associated with |
| can be, though, is effective treatment for a child | | | | certain things, like "mama", "dada", and "bottle". |
| with autism, particularly when the autism is caught | | | | One of the symptoms of autism, though, is the |
| early. | | | | inability to watch and imitate. |
| Each child with autism is different and will have | | | | Talking a lot to a child with autism is simply not |
| different needs. As a result there is no | | | | effective. Short, simple, and clearly audible |
| one-size-fits-all treatment. | | | | instructions are required, like "Stop" or "Look at |
| Many parents use a carefully structured | | | | me". Research has also shown that most children |
| behaviorally-based therapy plan, such as Applied | | | | with autism learn language better by using visual |
| Behavior Analysis (ABA), specifically designed for | | | | cues, such as pictures, cards, and even pointing, |
| their child, starting with what the child does and | | | | so these techniques are used to help the child |
| does not know how to do. These behavior-based | | | | learn. A classroom-based program called TEACCH |
| plans include clear instructions for the child to | | | | uses visual cues to get students with autism to |
| follow and prompting to do so as well as | | | | focus. |
| immediate praise and reward so that the desired | | | | Social skills also have to be learned, such as |
| behavior is reinforced. Stopping temper tantrums, | | | | following directions and not interrupting. Some |
| learning to sit still, and reducing repetitive behavior | | | | children with autism also need basic living skills |
| are among the goals of this type of therapy | | | | training. The intensive behavior therapy a child |
| because, without achieving these stills, a child with | | | | receives helps reinforce these behaviors and |
| autism finds it almost impossible to learn anything | | | | improves, often significantly, the child's ability to |
| else. | | | | function and about a quarter of children with |
| A child with autism should receive at least 25 | | | | autism can eventually test at a normal IQ and |
| hours a week of this type of intensive therapy. | | | | learn to function in public school. Sadly, another 25 |
| Medications to treat other symptoms, such as | | | | percent never learn language skills. |
| seizures and hyperactivity, may also be | | | | Many parents also seek out alternative |
| appropriate. | | | | treatments for their child with autism, such as |
| Behavior-based therapy also acknowledges that a | | | | special diets or a controversial treatment called |
| child with autism needs to learn is how to | | | | chelation therapy. Without more research, though, |
| communicate. Without communication, it is difficult | | | | it is hard to say how effective these are in |
| to teach them the other skills they need to learn. | | | | treating autism. |