Evidence-based autism treatment is quickly becoming the standard of care for this often misunderstood disorder. Many professionals in the field of child development are coming to realize that there is a strong correlation between what we eat and how our bodies respond to it. Evidence Based Autism Treatment (ERAT) focuses on this relationship and provides a logical, safe, and effective means of improving autistic symptoms. The goal is to teach the child various behaviors through the eyes of a specialist to recognize patterns and connections that can be used as a guide for future behavior modification.
ERAT
The most common area where ERAT focuses is in the use of foods and food substances. There are five major focus areas: elimination, stimulus control, socialization, contingency planning, and reinforcement. A large part of the research has been directed toward understanding autistic behavior and the relationships between different areas. This is important because different areas of autistic behavior have different triggers. Evidence Based Autism Treatment can be very effective in eliminating or controlling behavior problems, but we need to learn how to plan for them in the long term effectively.
One aspect of ERAT is the use of supplements to provide support for autistic symptoms. In this way a child with autism can gain a level of control over their diet that they may not have had otherwise. Evidence Based Autism Treatment plans that utilize supplements are usually a part of the overall plan for optimizing treatment. The key to getting the most out of a course of treatments is ongoing support.
Deficiency of Serotonin Causes Autism
Another theory associated with ERAT is that a deficiency of serotonin causes autism. The brain chemical that plays a vital role in the regulation of emotion and communication is serotonin. Low levels of this chemical can cause several long term and short term symptoms. Evidence Based Autism Treatment plans that work to alleviate these symptoms can be very successful. The importance of showing children that they have a real problem that can be addressed rather than being swept under the rug in a typical psychological approach cannot be overemphasized.
It has also been established that children with autism tend to be highly creative and can learn extraordinary things. This can be very helpful in their education. Parents who encourage their children’s interests at an early age are going to have the best chance for success when it comes to teaching them skills that will be highly valued throughout life.
Theories
Some other theories are being explored today regarding the causes and characteristics of autism. These range from the notion that autism has a genetic component to it, to the idea that it is a result of mercury exposure in the womb. All of these theories still await strong supporting evidence, but many of them are currently being tested. Parents who suspect that their child may have autism should consult their family doctor or a specialist in the field of autism.
Evidence Based Autism Treatment involves a multi-pronged approach. The first step is that of identifying the particular symptoms of autism in the child. Then the treatment protocol needs to be developed. Next, the child needs to undergo testing at home. The testing procedures will involve observation of the child behavior, language, cognitive functioning and various sensory processing functions.
Once all of the data from the various evaluations has been reviewed and analyzed, the most effective treatment course can be decided on. Most professionals agree that a combination of therapy, medication, and behavior modification will be most effective. This form of treatment can involve a great deal of time and money. For this reason it is important for parents to carefully consider the pros and cons of all of these treatments before making any decisions.
