therapy for adults with autism near me can help people with autism improve their abilities to communicate, learn and socialize. It can also improve their quality of life.
Treatments can be delivered in a variety of settings, including education, health, community or home. They are often a combination of different approaches and are tailored to each individual’s needs.
Medication
Medication can help people with autism deal with symptoms like depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Antidepressants work by changing the levels of two neurotransmitters called serotonin and norepinephrine, which can affect brain function and mood.
A common antidepressant is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Other antidepressants include tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Another medication used in some people with ASD is a mood stabilizer, such as lithium or lamictal. These medications can help people with ASD manage irritability and aggression.
These medicines can also be helpful for some children with ASD who have seizures or other gastrointestinal problems. They can reduce symptoms of those conditions and help them sleep better, so they can function well in their everyday life. But they are not a cure for autism and can have serious side effects.
Psychological Approaches
Psychological approaches are used to help people with autism better cope with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. They can also be used to treat co-occurring medical conditions, such as seizures or stomach problems.
One of the most common psychological approaches is cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people learn to change their thoughts and behaviors.
During CBT, patients and therapists work together to identify goals and change how they think about situations so that they can cope with them better.
Another type of psychological approach is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA uses behavioral strategies to teach people with autism and other developmental disorders how to behave.
Educational Treatments
There are a variety of educational treatments to help your child with autism improve their social skills and communication. These therapies are based on scientific research and have been proven to be effective.
Speech-language therapy is a common approach that helps your child improve their communication skills. This includes exercises that improve their speech rhythm, sentence structure, and vocabulary.
Occupational therapy can also be helpful for your child, as it helps them manage their daily activities and routines better. It also improves their fine motor skills and sensory integration.
Other therapies include cartooning strategies, which use visual symbols to help people with autism understand social situations and their feelings. Other approaches, such as Floortime and RDI, help your child build social communication skills.
Social-Relational Treatments
Social-relational treatments focus on improving social skills. They help people with autism understand others’ emotions, communicate their thoughts and feelings, and respond to situations in a more appropriate manner.
Some of these methods include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapies, and other forms of cognitive counseling. Many of these treatments can be used on their own or in combination.
Among the most common behavioral therapies are Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). These methods encourage desired behaviors and discourage undesired ones to improve a variety of skills.
One of the most effective ABA teaching techniques is called Discrete Trial Training. This method divides a child’s abilities into discrete parts, giving them reinforcement for each task they complete. Another ABA approach is Pivotal Response Training, which helps a child learn when to respond appropriately to specific situations.
Complementary and Alternative Treatments
Complementary and alternative treatments are commonly used by parents of children with autism to help them cope with the disorder. These treatments may include special diets, dietary supplements and herbs, chiropractic care, massage, animal therapy, art therapy and mindfulness and relaxation therapies.
These practices are often referred to as mind-body medicine. They are not backed by scientific evidence and may not be right for your child, so talk to your doctor about them.
Despite limited research, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used in children with autism spectrum disorder. The most popular CAM treatment is special diets or dietary supplements, ranking first in 75% of studies.
