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Choosing the Best Treatment for An Autistic Child
unlike disorders like diabetes, there is no 'best' treatment for ASD. Most professionals agree on two points: the earlier the intervention, the more effective it will be, and most children with ASD do very well in programs that are very structured and tailored to their needs.
There are many different options for treatment for a child with autism. Before you make decisions, you should gather all the information that you can about each of them. Compare them with your child's and your family's needs. Most public and private schools will welcome your visit to observe their programs as you explore your options.
The Autism Society of America suggests that you ask yourself the following questions about each program to help you narrow your choices.
Will this treatment hurt my child?
Is there any scientific proof that the treatment works?
How will it affect my family if the treatment fails?
How does the program assess its results?
How will the treatment work with the rest of my child's program?
In addition, you may ask the following questions as well:
Has the program been successful for other children?
Do many children from this program go on to regular school settings?
What is the experience of staff members in working with children with autism?
Are there daily routines and schedules?
Will my child receive the individual attention that he needs?
How do you choose tasks and rewards for each child?
How do you measure progress?
Is the program designed to keep distraction to a minimum?
Will the program help me to continue the therapy at home?
How much does it cost, both in time and money?
An effective program will:
Take your child's interests into account and build on them
Have a regular, predictable schedule
Engage the child's attention with highly structured activities
Teach tasks as a series of steps
Provide reinforcement and reward for appropriate behavior
Involve parents in designing and delivering therapy
Teach early communication and social interaction skills
Begin before age 3 if possible
After the age of 3, an effective program will:
usually be school-based
incorporate an individualized education plan
provide structure and a regular, predictable schedule
include some integration with the regular school program if feasible
In elementary school, look for a program that:
is individualized to your child's needs and interests
encourages your child to grow in his areas of strength
offers a mix of inclusion in regular classrooms and special instruction
include teaching social skills
teach the child how to manage distractions and organize tasks
By middle and high school, your child's learning should:
include transition planning by age 14
address practical matters like work, recreation and community living
teach practical skills like taking public transportation, job-seeking skills
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