This list is far from complete, and I'm sure I've missed some very well-used treatments. I do not have experience with all of these methods, and thus can't vouch for their success or failure rates. Some have been used in connection with my three children with autism, while others have not. I am supplying this list of treatments as suggestions, from what other parents have spoke of using.
These treatments can be classified into a few different categories:
- Biochemical (food allergies, vitamin supplements, medication, etc.)
- Neurosensory (auditory training, sensory integration, facilitated communication, etc.)
- Behavioral (Lovaas, TEACCH, behavior modification, etc.)
Vitamin B6
Some have had some success with reducing the symptoms of autism through the ingestion of large amounts of Vitamin B6. It has been suggested that it reduces hyperactivity and obssessive/compulsive behaviors.
dimethylglycine (DMG)
Bernard Rimland pursued this line of investigation. It is suggested that DMG may help autistic individuals with speech and attention span. DMG is a food supplement, and is supposed to increase oxygen uptake by the blood stream.
Eliminating dietary gluten/casein
Some children have responded to this treatment/intervention within hours or days. Gluten intolerance in usually indicated by loose stools and/or a craving for bread and pasta. This
intervention is relatively harmless, and should be tried as soon as possible.
Auditory Integration Training (AIT)
This is a method of changing a person's sensitivity to sound at different frequencies. It has been credited with success in reducing some of the symptoms of some children, especially in children who show a strong aversion to some sounds. After AIT, they lost their aversion and exhibited other reductions in the symptoms of autism.
Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT)
This is a method of helping individuals who are oversensitive to the 5 senses by overwhelming them with sensory experiences. For example, rolling them, getting them to spin or jump, using "texture cards", finger painting, rhythmic movement such as rocking or swinging, and many more activities.
Behavioral Therapy
("Lovaas Method", "Behavioral Intervention", "Applied Behavioral Analysis" (ABA), "Discrete Trial Training" (DTT))
Use of behavior modification was originally developed by B.F. Skinner (a prime developer of Behavioral Psychology). Lovaas and others have adapted it as a therapy/educational method for autistic children. Behavioral Therapy has a lot of advocates who are insistent in their claims that it is the only method with a study (complete with control group) documenting its success rate. The study is documented in Lovaas's paper "Behavioral Treatment of Normal Educational and Intellectual Functioning in Young Autistic Children".
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