| Autism is one of a group of serious | | | | true or that restricting these foods improves |
| developmental problems called autism spectrum | | | | autism. Furthermore, restrictive diets can |
| disorders (ASD) that appear in early | | | | result in nutritional deficiencies in growing |
| childhood - usually before age 3. Though | | | | children. |
| symptoms and severity vary, all autism | | | | |
| disorders affect a child's ability to | | | | An effective treatment program will build on |
| communicate and interact with others. | | | | the child's interests, offer a predictable |
| | | | schedule, teach tasks as a series of simple |
| It's estimated that three to six out of every | | | | steps, actively engage the child's attention |
| 1,000 children in the United States have | | | | in highly structured activities, and provide |
| autism - and the number of diagnosed cases is | | | | regular reinforcement of behavior. Parental |
| rising. It's not clear whether this is due to | | | | involvement has emerged as a major factor in |
| better detection and reporting of autism, a | | | | treatment success. Parents work with teachers |
| real increase in the number of cases, or | | | | and therapists to identify the behaviors to |
| both. | | | | be changed and the skills to be taught. |
| | | | Recognizing that parents are the child's |
| Holding Therapy | | | | earliest teachers, more programs are |
| | | | beginning to train parents to continue the |
| In this technique, the parent hugs the child | | | | therapy at home. |
| for long periods of time, even if the child | | | | |
| resists. Those who use the technique contend | | | | Behavioral training and management- |
| that it forges a bond between the parent and | | | | Behavioral training and management uses |
| child. Some claim that it helps stimulate | | | | positive reinforcement, self-help, and social |
| parts of the brain as the child senses the | | | | skills training to improve behavior and |
| boundaries of his or her own body. There is | | | | communication. Many types of treatments have |
| no scientific evidence, however, to support | | | | been developed, including Applied Behavioral |
| these claims. | | | | Analysis (ABA), Treatment and Education of |
| | | | Autistic and Related Communication |
| Treatments of childhood autism | | | | Handicapped Children (TEACCH), and sensory |
| | | | integration. |
| Music or dance therapy can bring a child with | | | | |
| autism out of isolation. Play therapy is | | | | TEACCH |
| effective for some kids with autism. | | | | |
| | | | Another program is called the Treatment and |
| Go gluten-free. Dealing with environmental | | | | Education of Autistic and Related |
| and food sensitivities is important in | | | | Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH). |
| treating childhood autism. Since gluten is a | | | | TEACCH, developed as a statewide program in |
| common food sensitivity in both adults and | | | | North Carolina, uses picture schedules and |
| kids with autism, it's best to eat | | | | other visual cues. These help the child work |
| gluten-free products. Autism research shows | | | | independently and to organize and structure |
| that almost 50% of people with autism have | | | | their environments. Though TEACCH tries to |
| improved symptoms when on a gluten-free diet. | | | | enhance a child's adaptation and skills, |
| | | | there is also an acceptance of the deficits |
| Proponents of restrictive diets believe that | | | | associated with autism spectrum disorders. In |
| casein, a protein found in dairy products, | | | | contrast to ABA programs, TEACCH programs do |
| and gluten, a protein found in many grains, | | | | not anticipate that children will achieve |
| affect brain development and behavior, | | | | typical developmental progress in response to |
| causing autism in some children. However, | | | | the treatment. |
| there's no scientific evidence that this is | | | | |