MADI ANDERSON

AUTISM THERAPY
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TREAT AUTISM?

Therapy
Medicinal cures
OVERVIEW

What is autism?
Different ways to treat autism
Pros and cons of different treatments
Controversy around autism research
Who is involved in the conversation?
AUTISM

Developmental disorder characterized

by persistent problems in social
communication and interaction, along
with restricted and repetitive patterns
of behavior, interests or activities
Autism Spectrum
Includes Asperger Syndrome
False diagnosis
THERAPY

Applied Behavioral
Analysis (ABA)
Speech therapy
Music/ Art therapy
Recreational therapy
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA)

The application of the principles of learning and motivation from Behavior Analysis,
and the procedures and technology derived from those principles, to the solution of
problems of social significance
Proven effective for treating autism from decades of research
Most commonly noted for individuals with autism
Also used for child and adult behavioral disorders, family relations, general and special
education, etc.
THERAPY
Pros Cons
Effective Time consuming
Individualized May not be covered under insurance
Specific to each patients needs Specialized therapies can be expensive
CURING AUTISM

Secretin claimed to cure Autism

FDA approved drug for gastrointestinal disorders

Accidental discovery
Autistic child given secretin for his chronic diarrhea
Behavioral improvements made, increased eye contact, decreased facial tics, and improved verbal
statements
Discovery went viral
MEDICINAL CURES
Pros
Can help manage characteristics of
autism
ADHD and OCD medication
Simple solution if effective
Cons
Secretin proven not to be a cure
False hope
Involvement of patient
Parent or child making decisions?
There is not going to be a single cure,
because there is not a single cause.
-Bristol-Power
CONTROVERSY

What is most False diagnoses of Who is involved in

Autism Speaks
important to autism autism spectrum the conversation
researching for cures
research? disorder about autism?
No individuals with Therapies Checklist of autism Parents
autism actively Cures characteristics Researchers
involved with Causes Having shared Doctors
decisions characteristics of Individuals with
Changing autism does not autism
individuals versus always mean having
helping them autism
INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM

Several books published by individuals with autism

Non-verbal autism
I love the flood of books by nonverbal autistic people. It is time to be advocating for
ourselves. Why forever must the theories of scholars be listened to over the people
with autism themselves? -Ido Kedar
Non-verbal autistic author of Ido in Autismland
CONCLUSION

Autism Spectrum Disorder includes a variety of

individuals and diagnoses
Causes of autism still being researched
Therapy is the most effective form of treatment as of
right now
Opinions of those on the autism spectrum matter
WORKS CITED

Barret, Stephen. M.D. Secretin Found Ineffective for Treating Autism. Quackwatch, May 11, 2015.
https://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/News/secretin.html.
Evelyn, Tan P. "Rett Syndrome Gene Points Way to Autism Cures Progress in Research Raises Hopes as Congress
Considers Larger Grants." Usa Today, Oct 05, 1999, pp. 10D, ProQuest Central, https://proxy.lib.utc.edu/login?url.
Samara Kalk The, Capital T. "SCRAMBLING FOR SECRETIN QUESTIONS REMAIN ON NEW TREATMENT
FOR AUTISM ... BUT PARENTS WANT IT NOW." Madison Capital Times, May 24, 1999, pp. 1A, ProQuest Central,
https://proxy.lib.utc.edu/login.
Sowell, Thomas. "Thomas Sowell: Autism Cures?" Oakland Tribune, Jul 18, 2008, ProQuest Central,
https://proxy.lib.utc.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/352266604?accountid=14767.
"SUCCESSFUL AUTISM THERAPY." Pittsburgh Post - Gazette, Jan 27, 1998, pp. H-3, ProQuest Central,
https://proxy.lib.utc.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/391640299?accountid=14767.
What Is ABA? Center for Autism Disorders. CARD. Web. September 2, 2017.