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| What happens
when Autistic kids grow up? |
The course of
autism varies as the person ages. The goal of therapy
should be to improve useful communication. For some, verbal
communication is a realistic goal. For others, the goal may be
gestured communication. Still others may have the goal of
communicating by means of a symbol system such as picture
boards. Treatment should include periodic in-depth evaluations
provided by an individual with special training in the
evaluation and treatment of speech and language disorders, such
as a speech-language pathologist. Occupational and physical
therapists may also work with the individual to reduce unwanted
behaviors that may interfere with the development of
communication skills.
Some individuals with autism respond well to highly structured behavior
modification programs; others respond better to in-home therapy
that uses real situations as the basis for training. Other
approaches such as music therapy and sensory integration
therapy, which strives to improve the child's ability to respond
to information from the senses, appear to have helped some
autistic children, although research on the efficacy of these
approaches is largely lacking.
Medications may improve the attention span of an autistic individual or reduce
unwanted behaviors such as hand-flapping, but long-term use of
these kinds of medications is often difficult or undesirable
because of their side effects. No medications have been found to
specifically help communication in autistic individuals. Mineral
and vitamin supplements, special diets, and psychotherapy have
also been used, but research has not documented their
effectiveness. |
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