Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)is the
oldest and most fully researched                                                          
treatment specifically developed for autism.
ABA is a very intensive system of
reward-based training which focuses on
 teaching particular skills. If any
autism-specific therapy is offered by
your school and/or covered by your insurance,
 this will probably be the one.

Almost all people with autism have issues
 with speech and language. Sometimes
these issues are obvious; many people
 with autism are non-verbal or use speech
very poorly. Sometimes the issues relate not
to articulation or grammar but to "speech pragmatics"
(the use of speech to build social relationships).
Across the board, though, speech and language
therapy is likely to be helpful for people with autism.

Occupational therapy focuses on building
 daily living skills. Since many people
with autism have delays in fine motor skills,
 occupational therapy can be very important.
Occupational therapists may also have
 training in sensory integration therapy - a
 technique which may help autistic people
manage hypersensitivity to sound, light, and touch.

One of autism's "core deficits" is a lack of social
 and communication skills. Many children with
autism need help in building the skills they need
to hold a conversation, connect with a new friend,
 or even navigate the playground. Social skills
 therapists can help out setting up and facilitating
 peer-based social interaction.

Autism is a "pervasive developmental delay."
 Many autistic people have gross motor delays,
and some have low muscle tone
 (they're unusually weak). Physical therapy can
 build up strength, coordination, and basic sports skills.

Strange as it may sound, children with autism need
help learning to play. And play can also serve as a
 tool for building speech, communication, and social skills.
 Play therapists may have training in particular
therapeutic techniques such as Floortime or The Play Project
- or they may incorporate play therapy into speech,
occupational or physical therapy.

Children with autism are often frustrated. They are
misunderstood, have a tough time communicating their
 needs, suffer from hypersensitivities to sound, light
and touch ... no wonder they sometimes act out!
Behavior therapists are trained to figure out just what
 lies behind negative behaviors, and to recommend
changes to the environment and routines to improve behavior.

Floortime, Son-rise, and Relationship Development Intervention
(RDI) are all considered to be "developmental treatments."
 This means that they build from a child's own interests,
 strengths and developmental level to increase
emotional, social and intellectual abilities.
 Developmental therapies are often contrasted to
behavioral therapies, which are best used to teach
specific skills such as shoe tying, tooth brushing, etc.

Many people with autism are visual thinkers. Some
do very well with picture-based communication systems
 such as PECS (Picture Exchange Communication).
 Video modeling, video games and electronic
 communication systems also tap into autistic
 people's visual strength to build skills and communication.

Biomedical treatments may include pharmaceuticals -
 but most often biomedical treatments for autism are
 based on the DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) approach
to autism therapy. Doctors trained in the DAN! "protocol"
 are likely to prescribe special diets, supplements,
and alternative treatments. None of these treatments
have been approved by the FDA or CDC - but there
are many anecdotal stories of positive outcomes.

HELP Autism In Nevada Inc. does not endorse any one particular treatment method. Our purpose is solely to provide families with ***information.***

TOP TEN AUTISM FACTS:


               
1. Autism Is a 'Spectrum' Disorder

People with autism can be a little autistic or very
autistic. Thus, it is possible to be bright, verbal,
and autistic as well as mentally retarded, non-verbal
 and autistic. A disorder that includes such a broad
range of symptoms is often called a spectrum
disorder; hence the term "autism spectrum disorder."
The most significant shared symptom is difficulty
 with social communication (eye contact,
 conversation, taking another's perspective, etc.).

2. Asperger Syndrome is a High Functioning Form of Autism

Asperger Syndrome (AS) is considered to be a part of the autism spectrum.
 The only significant difference between AS and High Functioning Autism
is that people with AS usually develop speech right on time while people with
 autism usually have speech delays. People with AS are generally very bright
and verbal, but have significant social deficits (which is why AS has earned
 the nickname "Geek Syndrome").

                        

3. People With Autism Are Different from One Another

If you've seen Rainman or a TV show about autism, you may think you
know what autism "looks like." In fact, though, when you've met one
 person with with autism you've met ONE person with autism. Some
people with autism are chatty; others are silent. Many have sensory issues,
 gastrointestinal problems, sleep difficulties and other medical problems.
 Others may have social-communication delays - and that's it.

4. There Are Dozens of Treatments for Autism - But No 'Cure'

So far as medical science is aware, there is at present no cure for autism.
That's not to say that people with autism don't improve, because many improve
 radically. But even when people with autism increase their skills, they are still
 autistic, which means they think and perceive differently from most people.
 Children with autism may receive many types of treatments. Treatments may
be biomedical, sensory, behavioral, developmental or even arts-based. Depending
upon the child, certain treatments will be more successful than others.
 

                        
5. There Are Many Theories on the Cause of Autism, But No Consensus

You may have seen or heard news stories about possible causes of autism.
Theories range from mercury in infant vaccines to genetics to the age of the
parents to almost everything else. At present, most researchers think autism
 is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors - and it's
 quite possible that different people's symptoms have different causes.
 

6. People Don't Grow Out of Autism

Autism is a lifelong diagnosis. For some people,
 often (but not always) those who receive intensive
early intervention, symptoms may decrease radically.
 People with autism can also learn coping skills to
help them manage their difficulties and even build
 on their unique strengths. But a person with autism
will probably be autistic throughout their lives.
 

                               
7. Families Coping with Autism Need Help and Support

Even "high functioning" autism is challenging for parents. "Low functioning"
autism can be overwhelming to the entire family. Families may be under
a great deal of stress, and they need all the non-judgemental help they
can get from friends, extended family, and service providers. Respite care
 (someone else taking care of the person with autism while other family
members take a break) can be a marriage and/or family-saver!

8. There's No 'Best School' for a Child with Autism

You may have heard of a wonderful "autism school," or read of a
child doing amazingly well in a particular type of classroom setting.
While any given setting may be perfect for any given child,
 every child with autism has unique needs. Even in an ideal world,
 "including" a child with autism in a typical class may not be the
best choice. Decisions about autistic education are generally made
 by a team made up of parents, teachers, administrators and
therapists who know the child well.

                     
9. There Are Many Unfounded Myths About Autism

The media is full of stories about autism, and many of those stories
 are less than accurate. For example, you may have heard that
people with autism are cold and unfeeling, or that people with autism
never marry or hold productive jobs. Since every person with autism
is different, however, such "always" and "never" statements simply
don't hold water. To understand a person with autism, it's a good
idea to spend some time getting to know him or her - personally!

10. Autistic People Have Many Strengths and Abilities

It may seem that autism is a wholly negative diagnosis. But almost
 everyone on the autism spectrum has a great to deal to offer the world.
 People with autism are among the most forthright, non-judgemental,
 passionate people you'll ever meet. They are also ideal candidates
 for many types of careers.