Best Treatment for High-Functioning Autism
"What would be the best treatment for my child with high functioning autism?" The main goals of treatment are to lessen associated deficits and family distress, and to increase quality of life and functional independence. No single treatment is best, and treatment is typically tailored to the child's needs. Intensive, sustained special education programs and behavior therapy early in life can help these kids acquire self-care, social, and job skills, and often improve functioning and decrease symptom severity and maladaptive behaviors. Claims that intervention "must" occur before the age of three for it to be effective are not substantiated. Available approaches include: applied behavior analysis developmental models structured teaching speech and language therapy social skills therapy occupational therapy Educational interventions have some effectiveness. Intensive ABA treatment has demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing global funct