You may have a child or know someone who has a child showing behavioral abnormalities. It is never easy to understand and help your child if you don’t know-how. If your child has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder, you might have a thousand questions.
What is Autism? ASD is a development disorder that hurts or adversely affects the nervous system, the cognitive functions, emotional, behavioural, and physical health of the patient.
In NIMHANS, there are at least 500 cases of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who are currently being treated. Doctors admit that research in India and documentation with regard to ASD is quite less, which hampers efforts at understanding the disorder.
Autism shows most common amongst children between the ages of 2-4. It could affect the child’s entire childhood, and make it hard for them to communicate right, they may behave differently, and their posture and body language may be poor or severely worrisome.
It could be a minor problem in some children, whereas others need treatment centers and constant support. One must also be wary of the multiple factors that accompany ASD like anxiety, stress, depression, and even seizures.
You might want to know, will my child’s autism go away? Professionals report that not all cases of ASD continue into adulthood. A lot of children suffering from ASD have recovered into adulthood or at least have learned to manage and live with the condition. There are various places that offer autism treatment in Bangalore, but before that, you should know a little more about it.
What are the various treatments for ASD?
Most professionals and Autism Treatment Centers in Bangalore will tell you that there is no one treatment, medicine, or remedy that can cure autism. This is because research about diseases hindering the brain is very low, but professionals have devised highly structured treatments and programs to cater to individual treatment and growth depending on the type and level of the ASD.
- Communication and Behavior Therapy: these are multiple therapies that are focused on behavioural abnormalities or communication problems. They help treat them, overcome them, or at the least understand them and live comfortably even with the disorder.
• Applied Behavioral Analysis: A common treatment that is used in a lot of schools and some clinics in the ABA treatment that is directed at learning the difference between positive and negative behaviors; choose appropriate reactions to situations and to reduce the negative ones.
• Developmental, Individual differences; Relationship-based approach (DIR): This treatment is also known as ‘flooring’, seeing how it involves the parent or guardian to get down on the ground or floor with the child to play and learn and do fun activities that the child enjoys. This builds a more supportive relationship with the child and gives them the incentive to learn while having fun.
• Treatment and Education of Autistic Related Communication-Handicapped children (TEACCH): To teach day-to-day activities, therapists use visual cues and pictures. The entire process is broken down into small steps that are accompanied by pictures, helping the child comprehend the process better thereby allowing them to remember and practice the process.
• The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): This is another form of visual therapy where symbols are used instead of pictures so your child communicates and asks questions through relevant symbols.
- Medications: There are no specific medications for Autism as we know. A combination of medicines and treatments is urged for maximum reduction of symptoms. Symptoms and accompanying diseases like anxiety, seizure, and gastric problems might require medication to control it.
The availability of resources, treatments, therapies, and a healthy and strong support system is what a child suffering from autism needs. If they are surrounded by people who are educated about the disorder, this would facilitate a nurturing environment that could allow the child to grow and minimize the effects of ASD.