The number of people with autism is estimated to double from one in every 100 children diagnosed today to 1 out of 50 by 2025. As the world faces this significant increase, it has allowed for a surge in research and treatment options that can drastically improve quality of life for those affected.
The “what is the most effective treatment for autism” is a question that has been asked by many parents. This article will provide some of the more common treatments and what they are like.
Severe autism, sometimes known as Level 3 autism, may offer a variety of difficulties. Severe autism often need round-the-clock care and monitoring.
Treatment, on the other hand, may assist persons with autism obtain greater independence. Social skills, communication abilities, behavior difficulties, and everyday life functioning skills may all be improved with therapy.
The sooner a someone receives autism therapy, the better. Early intervention aids in the development of skills that may be used to the management of autistic symptoms. The effects are better if this treatment is started while the kid is in preschool or earlier.
ABD stands for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most well-recognized treatments for autism, particularly severe autism. Through incentives and positive reinforcement, ABA helps to reinforce desirable behaviors while discouraging undesired actions.
To help someone with autism, other therapy modalities may be employed in combination with ABA. Occupational therapy and sensory integration treatments aid in the completion of everyday tasks and the management of sensory difficulties in children. Even if a person is nonverbal, speech and language therapy may help them develop their language and communication abilities.
Multiple forms of treatment, as well as family support, are often required for severe autism to teach long-term skills for managing the disease and increasing general life functioning.
What Is Severe Autism, and How Does It Affect You?
Autism, often known as a spectrum condition, is divided into three stages that may be diagnosed. Level 1 is considered high-functioning or less severe, while Level 3 is the most severe variety.
People with Level 3 autism have a hard time socializing and engage in harmful and sometimes dangerous activities. They often have difficulty speaking and communicating nonverbally. They may be unable to perform essential life functions.
Autism is a spectrum condition, which means there is a broad range of severity and impairment.
Autism spectrum disorder may frequently be detected as early as infancy. Babies may have difficulties making eye contact, responding to their name, or chatter.
In autistic newborns and toddlers, communication, language, motor skill, and behavioral deficits are prevalent. Although the diagnosis of autism is not considered stable until around the age of two, parents and caregivers may see indicators of autism much earlier.
The following are some of the symptoms of severe autism:
Being fully nonverbal or having poor linguistic abilities.
Inability to comprehend and react to what others are saying.
There is little or no eye contact.
Using terms that aren’t in context.
Without comprehending what sentences or voice tones represent, you’re mimicking them.
Fixation on items that is so strong that it borders on obsession.
Objects or toys are arranged in a line.
Inability to depart from the established routine.
Change is proving to be quite tough.
Motions or speaking patterns that are repeated again and over.
Issues with sensory processing.
Having trouble with motor functions.
Objects are used in ways that are not intended.
Fragile X syndrome, epilepsy, and tuberous sclerosis are all frequent co-occurring illnesses with severe autism. Additional hurdles, such as developmental delays, speech and language disorders, motor skill deficits, diminished cognitive capacities, seizures, and tumors, might arise as a result of these comorbid diseases.
With Severe Autism, It’s Difficult to Function
Level 3 autism might need a lot of help and continued care well into adulthood. Individuals with severe autism, on the other hand, may learn to moderate some of their symptoms in order to complete everyday chores with the help of therapy.
Without therapy, a person with severe autism may struggle to speak or do basic chores such as grooming, toileting, and feeding oneself. It’s possible that you don’t have any Social abilities.
Many persons with autism who have a poor level of functioning are nonverbal. Therapies may teach children communication skills that aren’t dependent on language or vocal speaking, allowing them to interact with the world around them.
A person with a milder type of autism is more likely to gain social, communicative, and behavioral skills that will enable them to operate more independently in society. People with mild to moderate autism may often support themselves, hold careers, and live independently.
A greater degree of impairment and disability is associated with severe autism. It usually means that a person will need ongoing assistance and will be unable to live alone.
Severe Autism Treatment Options
Multiple types of therapy for severe autism may be used in conjunction to help the individual and family as a whole.
A team of medical and mental health specialists devises treatment programs. It often requires a multidisciplinary approach, and no two treatment programs are the same.
The following are some of the treatment goals for severe autism:
The following are examples of treatment plans:
Interventions made early in the process.
- ABD stands for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment is one of the most used behavior therapies.
- Occupational therapy is a term used to describe a kind of treatment
- Sensory integration therapy is a kind of treatment that combines the senses.
- Speech and language therapy is a kind of speech and language treatment.
- Assistive technology is used.
- Medications that are used to treat certain ailments.
- Plans for nutrition.
- Approaches that are complementary or comprehensive.
- Training, counseling, and support for the whole family.
Treatment programs will also include strategies for concurrently treating any co-occurring disorders.
Severe autism generally need a great deal of assistance. A complete strategy may be achieved by combining medical treatments (where necessary) with behavioral therapy, speech and language therapies, and occupational therapies.
Interventions in the Early Stages
Early diagnosis and intervention have been shown to improve treatment results for people with autism.
The brains of young children are not completely developed, and their flexibility implies that they are more suited to learning treatment courses. Toddlers may adapt to treatment better than older children before the age of five.
Early intervention may take many different forms, both governmental and private. Many early intervention programs (EIPs) are operated by the state, and the services they provide differ depending on where you reside. These classes are designed for toddlers under the age of two.
Many parents employ ABA and other treatment experts on a private basis to offer early intervention. Insurance often covers these sessions.
Early intervention programs may teach crucial developmental skills to a child with autism, such as:
Emotional intelligence.
- Physical abilities.
- Communication abilities
- Social abilities.
- Ability to think critically.
ABD stands for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
ABA treatment is a kind of behavior therapy that may help people with autism at all levels, from high-functioning to severe. Positive reinforcement strategies and prizes are used in the treatment to encourage children to behave in a desirable manner. As a result of this positive reinforcement, bad conduct is discouraged.
ABA is a sort of adaptable treatment, which means it may be modified to suit anybody in a variety of settings. Working in unpleasant or new environments might be difficult for a youngster with severe autism. ABA is adaptable enough to operate within the confines of what best promotes the child’s development.
ABA approaches may aid in the improvement of:
An ABA therapist sets the client’s objectives and then breaks them down into smaller chunks. The therapeutic technique is reevaluated as required, and progress is noted and constantly monitored.
Board certified behavior analyzers (BCBAs) collaborate with families to evaluate the kid and develop a treatment plan. The treatment plan is carried out by registered behavior technicians (RBTs), who deal directly with the kid. RBTs are required to train under the direction of a BCBA.
People with autism may benefit from behavior treatments to learn how to regulate their urges and handle potentially risky actions. With severe autism, safety is a top consideration, since self-harm and aggressiveness are common. Positive reinforcement may be used to teach coping skills and to redirect negative behaviors toward desired outcomes.
Occupational & Sensory Integration Therapy
Grooming, toileting, and eating are just a few of the everyday living duties that are challenging for those with severe autism. Occupational therapy teaches these self-sufficiency skills.
Occupational therapy (OT) may help with the following:
Cognitive abilities
- Physical abilities.
- Motor abilities are important.
- Social abilities.
Occupational therapists may practice in a number of locations, including the home. The therapist assesses the individual’s strengths and limitations in order to devise a strategy for improving self-care and life skills. Occupational therapists may aid with both large and fine motor abilities, as well as specialized task-related skills.
Sensory integration therapy is a sort of contemporary occupational therapy that is often used to treat persons with autism who have limited functioning.
Extreme sensory impairments, such as a hypersensitive sense of touch, difficulty chewing or swallowing food, difficulty with loud sounds, and being too sensitive to bright lights, are all symptoms of severe autism. Sensory integration treatment may assist a kid with sensory difficulties in improving their ability to absorb stimuli and regulate sensory information.
Speech-Language Therapy & Assistive Technology
Language and communication skills are often a problem for those with severe autism. Many of them aren’t able to communicate verbally.
Speech and language therapy can improve both verbal and nonverbal language and Communication abilities This therapy may involve the use of aids, such as:
Pictures.
- Gestures using the hands.
- Sign language is a kind of communication that is used to communicate
- Assistive technology is a kind of technology that helps people with disabilities.
Speaking therapy may assist to improve the muscles associated with speech in the neck, jaw, and mouth. Speech sounds and body language comprehension may be the focus of therapy sessions.
Nonverbal people may learn to communicate with assistive technology like an electronic tablet or a communication board. Another kind of nonverbal communication is the Visual Exchange Communication System (PECS), which uses picture symbols to communicate.
Future Possibilities
Parents of children with severe autism are often overwhelmed, fearful that their child’s abilities will remain stagnant indefinitely. This isn’t the case at all.
Children with severe autism may gain critical life skills, increase their capacity to communicate, and learn to operate better in the world with persistent treatment.
Autism research is ongoing. New treatment approaches will likely be discovered in the coming years, but as of now, modern Severe Autism Treatment Options are promising.
References
The “high-functioning autism treatment” is a guide to the modern treatments for autism. This article will give you an overview of the different types of treatments, their effectiveness, and how they are administered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective therapy for autism?
A: This is a difficult question to answer. Its not one therapy that works better than the rest, its about finding what fits your child and their needs best. There are some adults who might be on the autism spectrum as well which can make things more complicated for parents of children with ASD.
What are some current treatment methods for autism?
A: Some of the current methods for treating autism include ABA therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. Therapists often use visual supports such as pictures or objects to help with comprehension skills.
Can severe autism get better?
A: It is possible that autism could improve with continued therapy. However, the severity of such symptoms as social anxiety and impaired communication may remain constant or even worsen over time.
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Janice is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Special Education. She also holds a Master of Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) from Queen’s University, Belfast. She has worked with and case managed children and youth with autism and other intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in home and residential setting since 2013.
