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Studies indicate that ABA treatment is the most broadly effective method of treatment to date. However, other treatments have been known to help some kids, and we encourage parents to research all of their options.
The Autism Society of America suggests that parents ask the following questions about potential treatments:
- Will the treatment result in harm to my child?
- How will failure of the treatment affect my child and family?
- Has the treatment been validated scientifically?
- Are there assessment procedures specified?
- How will the treatment be integrated into my child’s current program?
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The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) provides excellent, unbiased descriptions of nearly all of the known autism interventions at asatonline.org. They also warn about “a consistent pattern of premature and uncritical promotion of treatment ‘breakthroughs’ in the absence of credible research support. A number of scientific reviewers have concluded that many of those treatments have proved ineffective or harmful.
The research that appears to support several other treatments is methodologically weak, and still others have yet to be evaluated carefully. These include anti-fungal treatments, auditory integration training, dimethylglycein, dolphin therapy, drum therapy (‘Rhythmic Entrainment Intervention’), facilitated communication, gluten-and casein-free diets, holding therapy, intravenous gamma globulin, secretin, sensory integration therapy, and vitamin megadoses.
Two recent and thorough multidisciplinary reviews found that those treatments are far from being ‘breakthroughs,’ or even helpful adjunct treatments for autism, as they have been portrayed in ARRI. (see N Y, Maine Issue Evidence Based Assessments of Autism Interventions in this issue of Science in Autism Treatment ,Vol. 1, Fall, 1999) (asatonline.org/intervention/articles/informedchoice.htm)
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As the rate of autism continues to rise, so does the number of treatments promoted to help. Some are legitimate, while others simply seek to gain from a growing “market” filled with caring parents looking for ways to help their children. If a program or product claims to cure autism, be particularly cautious. We do not yet know for certain what causes autism, and so far there is no permanent cure. Fortunately, a few autism treatments can help children with autism learn to function well in society. Just because an article is published somewhere claiming to have found some new miracle cure for autism, that doesn’t mean it’s true. Effective autism treatments must stand the test of time. Lovaas ABA Treatment for Autism does so, along with other legitimate ABA treatments. We are far more concerned about protecting children from harmful treatments and helping them find effective ones than we are about gaining new clients. Our commitment is to the children, above all else.
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Studies have shown that ABA is effective in teaching new skills and reducing problem behavior (Goldstein, 2002; Odom et al., 2003; McConnell, 2002; Horner et al., 2002). Other studies have found that intensive ABA implemented more than 20 hours per week and begun early in life, prior to the age of 4, produces large gains in development and reduces the need for special services (Smith, 1999).
ABA is recommended by the Association for Science in Autism (ASAT) which states:“Because ABA currently has substantially more scientific support than any other behavioral or educational intervention for children with ASD, ASAT recommends that families and professionals strongly consider implementing ABA and be cautious about other approaches. ASAT further recommends that professionals describe other behavioral and educational interventions as untested and encourage families who are considering these interventions to evaluate them carefully.” (asatonline.org/intervention/recommendations.htm)
The United States Surgeon General states “Thirty years of research demonstrated the efficacy of applied behavioral methods in reducing inappropriate behavior and in increasing communication, learning and appropriate social behavior.” (surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter3/sec6.html)
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[headline tag=”div” css_class=”h3″ color=”color1″]SEO – Search Engine Optimization[/headline]With regard to Lovaas ABA Treatment for Autism, the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) states the following:
“The Lovaas model of applied behavior analysis was developed in the psychology department of UCLA under the direction of Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas and used in the UCLA Young Autism Project. It is intended to provide intensive early intervention for young children with autism (under four years old when treatment starts). As originally formulated by Lovaas (1987), children receive 40 hours per week of one-to-one ABA instruction for 2-3 years. During the first year, the primary instructional method during this time is individual discrete trial training (see entry) in the child’s home. In the second year, children spend increasing amounts of time having supervised playdates with typically developing peers (to provide opportunities for peer tutoring and increase social skills), enter general education preschools (to facilitate adjustment to school), and participate in incidental teaching in addition to discrete trial training. During the third and final year, the focus is on gradually reducing individual instruction and increasing inclusion into classroom settings (either in general education if the children can function effectively in that setting, or in special education if the children continue to require specialized support services).
“Research Summary: A number of scientific studies indicate that the Lovaas-UCLA treatment may produce large gains in development and reductions in the need for special services. It may enable some (though not all) children with autism to achieve levels of functioning that are typical of other children their age in many respects. However, because studies have involved small numbers of participants and have had other design limitations, there is a need for large studies of this intervention with strong experimental designs.
“Recommendations: Overall, the Lovaas-UCLA treatment is a highly promising intervention with considerable scientific support, but there continues to be a need for additional research. Because of the promise of this approach, professionals and families may wish to obtain additional information about it.” (asatonline.org/intervention/procedures/ucla.htm)
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Mild autism is sometimes diagnosed as Asperger’s syndrome or Pervasive Development Disability-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Although children with mild autism are high functioning is many areas, they still have difficulties such as fixations with a specific interest or social awkwardness. Each person must be carefully evaluated based on his or her weaknesses and strengths. If problems are minimal and seemed to be based on general anxiety, medication and/or therapy might help. If there are greater areas of concern, behavioral intervention may be recommended.
As always, it is important to be aware of each person’s strengths and unique gifts, too. Temple Grandin, an assistant professor, author, and adult with autism makes some interesting observations about this. “ I am becoming increasingly concerned that intellectually gifted children are being denied opportunities because they are being labeled either Asperger’s or high functioning autism. Within the last year I have talked to several parents, and I was disturbed by what they said. One mother called me and was very upset that her six-year-old son had Asperger’s. She then went on to tell me that his IQ was 150. I replied that before people knew about Asperger’s Syndrome, their child would have received a very positive label of intellectually gifted.
“In another case the parents of an Asperger teenager called and told me that they were so concerned about their son’s poor social skills that they would not allow him to take computer programming. I told her that depriving him of a challenging career in computers would make his life miserable. He will get social interaction by shared interests with other computer people. In a third case, a super smart child was not allowed in the talented and gifted program in his school because he had an autism label. Educators need to become aware that intellectually satisfying work makes life meaningful.” (autismtoday.com/articles/Genius_May_Be_Abnormality.htm)
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Amantadine is listed separately here because interest in its use for autism seems to be on the rise. Some claim that it improves negative behaviors like hyperactivity and irritability in children with autism. As with may other medical treatments for autism, there are no scientific studies proving its effectiveness and side effects can be serious. However, one study on amantadine autism treatment found that although parents did not notice any significant behavioral change with amantadine, clinicians did report some improvements in behavioral disturbances. The conclusion was that further studies are necessary to determine whether or not amantadine autism treatment is worth the risks involved. (Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH. See ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11392343)
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