EVALUATING TREATMENTS
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Treatment recommendations
Yellow light (have not been studied enough) More research needed Animal therapies Art therapy Developmental therapies (DIR/Floortime, RDI, ESDM) Medical marijuana Green light (shown through research to be effective) Applied behavior analysis (ABA) *includes a variety of evidence-based practices; see website Medications to treat ASD-related irritability: Risperdal and Abilify Music therapy Oral Motor therapy (PROMPT/Kaufman) Project TEACCH Vitamins (most)
Ultimately, it is suggested that families choose the intervention that has the highest likelihood of success for their child and is a good match for the family.
Preliminary evidence suggests ineffectiveness Craniosacral therapy Dietary changes
Sensory integration Vitamin B6 with magnesium
Red light (shown through research to be ineffective or harmful) Auditory integration training Chelation and clay baths Facilitated communication Hyperbaric oxygen therapy For more information and an expanded list, please visit the Treatment section of our website. Psychoanalysis Rapid Prompting Method Secretin
It is recommended that evidence-based treatments (e.g., ABA), which are those known to be effective, be considered first. Parents should also take other important variables into consideration, such as: the family’s time and monetary resources, the availability of providers, and the clinical recommendations of professionals who know the child. Additionally, families may wish to consider beginning only one treatment at a time. When multiple treatments are provided concurrently, it is very difficult to detect which treatment contributed to any resulting behavior change. Finally, when using any treatment, it is highly recommended that objective data
be collected and analyzed to determine if the treatment works for that individual. Objective data describe observable and measurable behaviors rather than rely- ing on subjective reports or people’s impressions. Exam- ples include the number of words a child uses per day, the length of time it takes for a child to follow an instruc- tion, or the duration of sitting in circle time. A greater amount of objectivity will help you decide if a treatment approach is effective and should be continued.
“Autism New Jersey provided me with a clear sense of what to do in a way that the many confusing and conflicting voices on the internet could not.”
Mary Beth, mother of a son with autism
Individuals with ASD deserve state-of-the-art interventions to help reduce the core symptoms of the disorder. While decisions about treatment approaches are certainly difficult, Autism New Jersey can provide you with resources to help you navigate the process. As you begin to investigate treatments and interview providers, it is suggested that you consider and ask providers the questions on page 32.
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