Exploring The Best Autism Treatment Options

There is an increased recognition about autism in social conversations because of advertisement campaigns and more accurate diagnosis among both children and adults. However, a lot of people continue to struggle either due to lack of proper awareness, difficulty to accept diagnosis or lack of guidance on the best autism treatment options. So then, what is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder encompassing a broad range of conditions that impact social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication. Types of autism spectrum disorder now include conditions like Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and unspecified forms of pervasive developmental disorders in addition to autism. Causes of autism spectrum disorder can be difficult to pinpoint since there is no specific reason that distinguishes them from other disorders. It has been observed that both genetics and environmental factors can trigger symptoms of ASD. 

Symptoms Of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Each child on the spectrum will have a unique pattern of behaviour and level of severity of functioning difficulty which makes it difficult for laypersons to identify autism accurately. The variation in level of severity, in particular, can be difficult to determine. This is why diagnosis by a professional is an important first step in providing the best autism treatment. The earlier the diagnosis, the better autism can be treated. There are a few broad symptoms displayed by children with autism that can be recognized early on by parents and caregivers so that they can be diagnosed early. Reduced eye contact, and indifference instead of response are signs that may be noticed from as early as infancy. However, it is easier to spot the symptoms by the time the children are around 2 years of age, when they may suddenly start to become aggressive or withdrawn, in contradiction to their development till then. They may also start to lose the language skills that they had acquired so far. 

How Can Autism Spectrum Disorder Be Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of ASD as early as possible ensures that children with autism receive the services and support they need to reach their full potential. There are no medical or genetic tests that can accurately detect autism. It is only possible to rule out other health conditions that may cause the same symptoms. Doctors conduct a diagnostic screening by looking at a child’s developmental history and behaviour while preparing for a diagnosis. Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism is an objective assessment tool to diagnose autism used in India  which uses observation, clinical evaluation of behaviour, testing by interacting with the child, and information provided by parents or caregivers in order to diagnose autism. They analyse social relationship and reciprocity including empathy towards others, emotional responsiveness, speech (language and communication), behaviour patterns like restlessness and aggression, sensory aspects like sensitivity to light, sound, smell etc., and cognitive components like lack of attention and comprehension. 

Specialized Treatments For Autism Spectrum Disorder

There is no cure for autism, mainly because it is not a disease but a disorder characterised by traits that pose challenges with communication, behaviour and functioning. There are specialized treatments and therapies that can help individuals diagnosed with ASD to overcome these challenges and lead a fruitful life. While medications can sometimes cause more harm than good, therapy treatments are now considered the best autism treatment options as they have been shown to provide effective and long-lasting results. Autism therapies are most helpful when they are started as early as possible by qualified therapists, address the core autism traits diagnosed, have clear goals and milestones, and engage the child in a positive way that makes the child want to attend the therapy sessions. Effective therapies that have brought much success to autistic individuals include 

Occupational Therapy which works on gross and fine motor skills, sensory sensitivities, social and cognitive-perceptual skills and daily functioning, Speech Therapy which focuses on all aspects of speech and language development, Behavioural Therapy which guides the child towards socially desirable, healthier and adaptive type of behaviour, and provides social skills trainingPhysiotherapy where improvements in strength, posture, and balance and focused on to improve functioning and social skills.Group Therapy to enable the child to better interact with the social environment and have better communication, and facilitates their integration with the mainstream world. 

The Jewel Autism Centre: Making a Difference in Autism Care

Founded in 2008, Jewel Autism Centre is a multi-speciality therapy clinic that focuses on developmental interventions for children and offers the best autism treatment in India (Kottayam, Kerala). These interventional therapies include Occupational Therapy, Behavioural Therapy, Individual Education Program, Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) Therapy, Child Psychological Services, Speech Therapy etc. In addition to these, we also work with children who have developmental issues such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Developmental Delay, Learning Disability (LD) and Down’s syndrome.