| Diagnoses of developmental disorders such as | | | | is the only way to determine which treatment |
| autism are increasing at an astounding rate, | | | | plan will be most effective for your autistic clients. |
| prompting many to wonder what progress is | | | | The primary goal should be to enhance relaxation |
| being made towards finding a cure. Since the | | | | in order to be able to proceed further with |
| cause of the disorder is still a bit of a mystery, | | | | deeper massage strokes. |
| this has proven to be quite a challenge for the | | | | Research has shown that massage therapy is |
| medical community. Characteristics and symptoms | | | | effective in reducing the severity of autism's |
| of autism can vary from person to person, and | | | | symptoms, however many people with autism |
| may even change over time. Affecting millions of | | | | are unresponsive to traditional methods, which |
| people throughout the United States, autism | | | | means that massage therapists should be creative |
| impairs communication skills and behavior | | | | when developing a treatment strategy. Regular |
| associated with social interaction. Since symptoms | | | | massage therapy sessions can increase attention |
| typically first appear in young children, massage | | | | span, relieve anxiety associated with social |
| therapists can take this opportunity to help yet | | | | situations, and can even have a positive influence |
| another segment of the community in need of a | | | | on one of the most common autism symptoms - |
| therapeutic touch. | | | | an aversion to touch. |
| Working with autistic clients can be challenging for | | | | It's important for massage therapists to realize |
| a therapist who is ill prepared. Since the disorder | | | | the impact they can have on an autistic child's life |
| can affect each person differently, each | | | | and development. Learn more about this disorder |
| treatment must be custom-made for each client; | | | | and what you can do to help normalize the |
| what works for one person may not help | | | | behavior of an autistic child. |
| another. Testing different methods and techniques | | | | |