Autism Cures and Neurological Disorder

AUTISM 'CURES' AND TREATMENT CONTROVERSIES

Autism Cures and Treatment Controversies

Autism 'Cures' and Treatment Controversies

Autism 'Cures' and Treatment Controversies

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses classical autism, Asperger syndrome, and progressive developmental disorder -- not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) (Leonard et al., 2010, p. 548-550). Classical or typical autism represents the most severe and common of the ASD disorders, of which the main symptoms are social, attention, and behavioral deficits (Betancur, 2011, p. 43). Intellectual impairment and epilepsy are also common comorbid conditions and are present in 70% and 25% of autistic individuals, respectively.

ASD is primarily a genetic disease and approximately 90% of all cases can be thus explained (Holt and Monaco, 2011, p. 438). The risk of both monozygotic twins developing autism, who have a family history, is between 30% and 60%, but for siblings the risk is much smaller and depends on how carefully they are screened for ASD symptoms. The other known causes or risk factors are being male (4-fold), experiencing a difficult/abnormal gestation and/or labor, and spontaneous germline genetic mutations. Although the prevalence of autism is determined to a large extent by genetic susceptibility factors, of which there are many acting in complex and unknown ways, there is evidence to suggest effective interventions do exist.

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention

In 1987 it was noticed that incorporating autistic children into regular classes at school resulted in significant improvements in intellectual ability (Dawson et al., 2010, p. e18). Since then there has been considerable effort to both decrease the age at which a reliable diagnosis can be achieved and develop early intervention programs that minimize symptom severity. Retrospective analyses of studies touting the benefits of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) methods have revealed significant deficiencies, thus calling into question whether this approach is as effective as claimed (Warren et al., 2011). However, research continues in this area and study designs are becoming more rigorous. For example, a recent randomized control study comparing the effectiveness of the Early Start Denver Model and found that 44% of the autistic children enrolled were reclassified as PDD-NOS after two years in the program. By comparison only 29% of the control children receiving more traditional treatments were given a less severe diagnosis after two years. Although EIBI methods are effective, they can hardly be called a cure.

Pharmaceutical Interventions

Only one prescription medication has been FDA approved for treating ASD and this is the antipsychotic medication risperidone for irritability (Rossignol, 2009, p. 213). The use of any others are generally provided 'off-label' for non-FDA-approved uses and confined to treating the symptoms associated with ASD. What is most troubling about using medications off-label is that the short-term and long-term benefits are usually unknown, especially in children, and the risk of side effects generally high.