Parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder frequently turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies as a source of treatment, with studies suggesting up to 95 percent of families using such methods for anxiety, GI issues and sleep disturbance.
However, many methods may not be safe or have uncertain evidence of efficacy; some such as chelation and hyperbaric oxygen therapy could even prove harmful.
Art therapy
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy which utilizes art media as the main medium of expression and communication. This therapy can help individuals with autism better regulate their emotions and develop social skills while encouraging creativity and problem-solving skills. Art therapy may serve as an alternative therapy approach alongside cognitive development or behavioral interventions and can take place both individually or as part of group sessions.
Art therapy offers more than fine motor skill development to individuals with autism; it also increases focus and sensory processing improvement, helps with self-expression, and provides an indescribable sense of accomplishment. Finding a seasoned art therapist who understands their needs as an autistic child or adult is of utmost importance.
Art therapists utilize various art materials to encourage exploration and creativity, as well as offering structured art activities that follow a predefined framework to reduce over-stimulation and promote feelings of control, independence, and structure in patients.
Individuals with autism often struggle to read facial expressions and body language, making forming relationships difficult and social engagement challenging. If they lack verbal capabilities this makes socialization even more challenging; art therapy allows these individuals to communicate without needing verbal interactions as it provides a safe platform to express emotions in an anonymous and controlled environment.
Many individuals with autism find coping with emotions challenging, making social situations challenging to navigate. Art therapy provides an effective solution for helping identify and regulate emotions in a controlled environment – improving social functioning as well as developing an effective coping strategy to use in future situations.
Art therapy is a versatile form of emotional and developmental treatment, from anxiety to self-esteem. It can even help strengthen relationships and relieve stress. Art therapy may even reduce suicidal thoughts while increasing libido; additionally it increases concentration abilities and sense of purpose by strengthening fine motor skills or offering visual storytelling opportunities such as sculpture.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is an integrative approach that seeks to unlock the full potential of people living with autism by developing functional skills and overall quality of life. This process begins with thorough assessments, tailored treatment plans and therapeutic techniques tailored specifically for each person; additionally it requires collaboration among healthcare providers and caregivers for maximum effectiveness.
Occupational therapy not only reduces symptoms but also focuses on teaching new skills. For instance, occupational therapy can assist children in learning to take turns and understand nonverbal communication; additionally, occupational therapists teach children how to interact with peers and navigate social situations – skills which will allow them to build meaningful relationships while leading more independent lives.
Occupational therapy (OT) can also aid sensory processing and motor control for children, helping them learn to regulate their arousal levels through play or develop self-care skills such as bathing, grooming or eating independently. Pediatric OT serves the goal of increasing independence while improving quality of life; often used alongside applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy or speech and language therapy treatments.
Autism is a complex disorder with many effects on children and families, including difficulty communicating, low self-esteem and anxiety. Autism symptoms can also present challenges for schooling and work environments, creating obstacles in both these areas. Luckily there are therapies available that can reduce these issues; two of the most effective ones being ABA and OT therapy.
Both occupational therapy (OT) and applied behavior analysis (ABA) are highly customized forms of therapy, beginning with assessment and goal setting. While ABA primarily targets behavioral change such as increasing ability to wait one’s turn on the playground, OT addresses skills necessary for daily functioning.
Occupational therapy (OT) is an integrative set of interventions designed to manage the core symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Occupational therapy stands out from other therapies because it addresses both cognitive and physical aspects of functioning simultaneously, using evidence-based practices tailored specifically for each person using an interprofessional team comprised of physical therapist, speech pathologist, and social worker.
Relationship development intervention
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices are increasingly being employed alongside more traditional treatments, like behavioral therapy. These practices can help alleviate symptoms while providing a more holistic approach. Therapies available include herbal medicine, massage therapy and acupuncture – however it is always advisable to speak to a healthcare provider first before embarking on any course of treatment.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can impact people in various ways. Many with ASD need support services to assist with the daily challenges they face; such services might include special education classes, social skills training programs and housing/employment assistance. Some individuals require medication and dietary supplements while more intense therapeutic interventions such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) have been found effective at encouraging desired behaviors while discouraging undesired ones; studies have also proven ABA’s efficacy at improving various skills among those diagnosed with ASD.
Relationship Development Intervention, or RDI, is another alternative therapy for autism that emphasizes parent-child relationships and their core deficits of autism. Parents receive tools they need to foster a healthy parent-child bond while increasing motivation and self-directed learning of children with the disorder. RDI stands out among other autism interventions as it can also serve as an adjunct therapy such as ABA therapy.
RDI is a family-based intervention that can be done at home. It teaches caregivers and their child’s caregiver how to interact and play together in ways that support emotional, social, cognitive development as well as reciprocal interactions with other children. Although evidence on RDI remains limited, its efficacy has been reported.
Many individuals with autism have turned to alternative treatments such as acupuncture and fish oil supplements as a means of managing their symptoms, including acupuncture and fish oil supplements. While these may provide some temporary relief, they can also be harmful; in fact, some have even died after trying these unproven approaches. While others have found integrating holistic approaches has shown better results.
Gluten-free diet
Autism experts often hear anecdotal reports from parents claiming their child’s symptoms improved after adhering to a gluten-free diet; however, medical researchers have been unable to link gluten with autism. A gluten-free diet (one that excludes wheat, barley, rye) and casein (a protein found in dairy products) similar to celiac disease treatment can also be followed to address autism symptoms.
The general consensus among experts regarding autism is that its digestive tracts are damaged, allowing undigested proteins to leak into their bloodstream and create an inflammatory response affecting brain functions – this theory is known as the “leaky gut” hypothesis. Peptides produced during digestion could interfere with neurotransmitters causing symptoms such as anxiety, aggression and sensory problems that contribute to symptoms like anxiety.
Research has demonstrated that autistic children often have an altered microbiome, which may contribute to behavioral issues. But this evidence alone does not establish that gluten-free diets can cure autism; their restrictive nature makes compliance even harder to implement; many autistic children must attend multiple therapies – speech therapy, occupational therapy and art therapy for example – so a cookie or cracker might tempt them eat it and cause nutritional deficiencies and behavioral problems.
No matter the limited research available, it is clear that gluten-free diets help improve autism symptoms. They have also proven successful at relieving gastrointestinal distress and improving sleep patterns; some studies even indicate they could help relieve seizures for individuals living with epilepsy.
There has been increasing interest in alternative treatments for autism, specifically diet-based approaches. Multiple studies have demonstrated that eliminating gluten from one’s diet can alleviate certain autism-related symptoms; however, this data should be treated with caution due to self-reporting by parents.
Before embarking on a gluten-free diet for your child with autism, speak to their healthcare provider first. In general, fresh, low fat food should be preferred over processed items; national and regional grocery chains carry packaged gluten-free options that have been certified as gluten-free; these should contain labels with “gluten free,” “no gluten” or that have under 20 parts per million gluten. Health food stores also sell them.
