Autism behaviour treatment options

What are your options when it comes to dealing with autism behaviours?  Should you go the pharmaceutical route to help your child or is there an alternative option?

Each child on the autism spectrum is unique and each treatment option will therefore also be unique.  In some instances pharmaceutical intervention is necessary and it can help the child tremendously but there are alternative options available that you can research and look into.

The alternative treatment option is what is referred to as the biomedical treatment of autism.  Research has shown us that people with autism and other Neuro-developmental disorders also often have high rates of associated conditions (co-morbidities). 

These co-morbidities in autism can include metabolic or immune dysfunctions, nutritional deficiencies; sleep disorders and gastrointestinal disorders, some of which affect brain function and can cause inflammation.

Biomedical interventions or treatments basically involve intensive testing. Diagnostic laboratory tests are done to screen which bio-medical issues need to be addressed in each individual child.  Other Bio-medical tests available in South Africa can include immune impairment testing, DNA testing, allergy testing or heavy metal testing – to name but only a few. 

Research on biochemical as well as biomedical treatments have been done all over the world.  Treatment protocols can involve vitamins, dietary supplements, nutrition, herbal and/or homeopathic remedies.  The goal of treatment is not simply functional health – but rather optimal health. 

It is however important to remember that it does not matter what treatment plan you choose for your child –  if you are not going to be involved in every aspect of the child’s development you are not going to see an change or gain the progression that you are after. 

The only way to get the most out of any treatment for autism will be a hand’s on approach – working hand-in hand with the autism professionals, therapy centres, medical practitioners and autism school or autism pre-school.

Amazing K is a registered ECD and Partial Care Facility in Johannesburg. We are a private autism school and therapy centre for children from age 2 years. Our learners receive the best of both the schooling and therapy world. We offer Individualized Education Programs involved, ABA, Speech- and Augmentive Alternative Communication (AAC) therapy as well as a full and adapted Academic Curriculum. Read more about this Johannesburg Autism school here.

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Ilse Kilian-Ross
ilse@amazingk.co.za

Ilse Kilian-Ross is the owner of Amazing K, a registered ECD and Partial Care Facility in Johannesburg. Amazing K is a private adhd school, autism school and therapy centre for children from age 2 - 6 years where learners receive the best of both the schooling and therapy world. The autism school offers Individualized Education Programs, Speech- and Augmentive Alternative Communication (AAC) therapy as well as a full and adapted Academic Curriculum.