To help you make decisions on your child's treatment for autism you will need to gather as much information as possible about the various options available. Look at all the options and make decisions based on your child's needs. A starting point may be a visit to the public schools in your area to see the type of programs they offer to special needs children.

Review the following guideline of questions to ask about potential treatments used by the Autism Society of America:

?Will the treatment result in harm to my child?

?How will failure of the treatment affect my child and family?

?Has the treatment been validated scientifically?

?Is there assessment procedures specified?

?How will the treatment be integrated into my child's current program? Do not fully accept a treatment option where functional curriculum, vocational life, and social skills are ignored.

Review the following list of questions the National Institute of Mental Health suggests parents can ask when planning for their child's treatment options:

?How successful has the program been for other children?

?How many children have gone on to placement in a regular school and how have they performed?

?Do staff members have training and experience in working with children and adolescents with autism?

?How are activities planned and organized?

?Are there predictable daily schedules and routines?

?How much individual attention will my child receive?

?How is progress measured? Will my child's behavior be closely observed and recorded?

?Will my child be given tasks and rewards that are personally motivating?

?Is the environment designed to minimize distractions?

?Will the program prepare me to continue the therapy at home?

?What are the cost, time commitment, and location of the program?

Applied behavior analysis is a widely accepted and effective treatment. The effects of applied behavior analysis include:

?Reduced inappropriate behavior

?Increased communication, learning, and appropriate social behavior

The basic research of 30 years was done by Ivar Lovaas and his colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles. The research involved an intensive, one-on-one child-teacher interaction for 40 hours a week, which laid a foundation for other educators and researchers in the search for further effective early interventions to help people with autism attain their unique potential. The basic goal of applied behavior analysis (behavioral management) is to reinforce the desirable behaviors and to reduce those behaviors that are undesirable.

The most effective treatment program will:

?Build upon the child's interests

?Offer a predictable schedule

?Teach tasks as a series of simple steps

?Actively engage the child's attention in highly structured activities

?Provide regular reinforcement of desirable behaviors

Professionals recognize that parents are a child's earliest teachers and realize parental involvement is a major factor in treatment success. More programs are starting to train parents to continue the therapy at home. Parents are encouraged to work with teachers and therapists to help identify behaviors to change and skills to teach.

Instruction should begin as soon as a child's disability has been identified. Appropriate therapy usually takes place in the home or a child care center for children with autism younger than 3 years of age.

Therapy targets specific deficits in:

?Learning

?Language

?Imitation

?Attention

?Motivation

?Compliance

?Initiative of interaction

Therapies included are:

?Behavioral methods

?Communication such as speech therapy

?Occupational and physical therapy

?Social play interventions

A typical day may begin with a physical activity in an effort to help develop coordination and body awareness. Activities may include:

?Stringing beads

?Putting puzzles together

?Painting

?Participating in other motor skills activities

During a snack break, the teacher can encourage social interaction and demonstrate how to use ?words? or ?language? to ask for more cookies or juice, which allows children to learn by doing.

School-based, individualized, special education is usually available for children older than 3 years of age. A child with autism may be in a segregated class with other autistic children or integrated into a class with children without disabilities for part of the day.

Different localities will use different methods, but all programs should provide a structure that helps children with autism to learn social skills and functional communication. Teachers should give parents useful advice in how to help the child with autism use the skills or behaviors learned at school when they are at home.

Elementary school for children with autism should provide help in any skill area that is delayed and encourage children with autism to grow in his or her areas of strength. The ideal curriculum is one that is adapted to the individual child's needs.

Middle school and high school years should begin to address practical matters that include:

?Work

?Community living

?Recreational activities

The child and young adolescent with autism should be offered:

?Work experience

?Experience using public transportation

?Daily functional skills that will be of benefit to him or her while living in the community

In conclusion, as the parent and/or parents of a child or children with autism, you will want to always be an active participant in his or her education program. Learn all you can about autism and the treatment options available to you in your specific community.

Always remember that cooperation and communication between parents and educators is an essential key in identifying the child with autism's special needs and planning an appropriate education program.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health; Autism Society of America

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 5-2007.