| Once you find out your child is Autistic you will | | | | Many Autistic children require physical therapy. |
| then want to begin some type of treatment plan. | | | | This type of therapy can help children with low |
| There are many different treatments for Autism. | | | | muscle tone. They also work with young children |
| Many worry that they will have to use | | | | on basic motor skills. This can include walking, |
| medications that can be dangerous to their child. | | | | standing, and rolling. Many Autistic children can |
| This is not the case. While some children need | | | | have other health problems. These problems can |
| medication not all children do. There are a lot of | | | | benefit from physical therapy too. |
| other treatments available to the Autistic child | | | | Behavioral Therapy |
| besides prescription medication. | | | | Behavioral therapy will concentrate on teaching |
| Some people will go with the standard type of | | | | the Autistic child appropriate behaviors. Usually this |
| treatment plan, while others will try an alternative, | | | | will include some form of a reward system. They |
| natural plan. We will look at some different types | | | | are taught how to act in social settings. This |
| of treatment for Autism. | | | | therapy is often done in the child's home setting. |
| Medication | | | | The parents are taught ways to deal with the |
| There are many types of medications used in | | | | child's unwanted behaviors. Usually an Autistic child |
| treating Autism. These medications can be for | | | | will learn they will be rewarded for good |
| different problems associated with Autism. Some | | | | behaviors, and they will stop some of the bad |
| are used to help with anxiety that is often found | | | | behavior. |
| in Autistic children. Autistic children sometimes | | | | Speech Therapy |
| have problems with falling asleep. Medication can | | | | Autistic children often have a hard time |
| be used to help with this. Antipsychotic drugs are | | | | communicating. They have problems |
| often used in children dealing with behavioral | | | | understanding non verbal cues. Some Autistic |
| problems. These medications will not cure the | | | | children do not speak at all, so they have to be |
| Autism. Medications can have terrible side effects. | | | | taught ways to communicate with others. Children |
| The child needs to be monitored closely while on | | | | with Autism need to be taught about body |
| any medication. | | | | language. Some children with Autism that do not |
| Occupational Therapy | | | | speak are taught to communicate by signing, or |
| Occupational therapy helps to teach the Autistic | | | | with the use of pictures. The speech therapist will |
| child to be independent. They learn daily skills they | | | | work on getting a non verbal child to speak. |
| need like dressing, or taking a bath. They will work | | | | These are just a few of the many treatments |
| on fine motor skills. They also teach the child to | | | | available to a child with Autism. Not all children will |
| use any devices they may have to help them | | | | require all of the treatments. The most important |
| function in daily life. They will be taught safety | | | | factor is to find a treatment plan that works for |
| measures. This could be safety when outside, or | | | | your child. With proper treatment your Autistic |
| dangers in the house. | | | | child can thrive. |
| Physical Therapy | | | | |