Treatment Approaches to Autism: Therapies and Options
This paper introduces and analyzes the major treatment approaches used for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Beginning with an overview of autism's prevalence, neurological basis, and impact on families, the paper systematically examines five categories of treatment: drug therapies (antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and stimulants), vitamin and mineral supplementation, holding therapy, CranioSacral therapy, and music therapy. For each approach, the paper discusses reported benefits, known side effects or risks, and the level of expert support or controversy surrounding the treatment. The paper concludes by noting additional emerging therapies and ongoing research efforts, emphasizing that while no cure exists for autism, a range of interventions can improve quality of life for many patients.
- Introduction to Autism and Its Impact: Prevalence, causes, and family effects of autism
- Drug Therapies: Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and stimulants
- Vitamin and Mineral Therapies: Controversial dietary supplements and their limited evidence
- Holding Therapy: Bonding technique debated as helpful or abusive
- CranioSacral Therapy: Spinal manipulation therapy with significant safety concerns
- Music Therapy: Music-based intervention leveraging brain-language connections
- Conclusion: Summary of treatments and future research directions
✍️ How to write this paper — guide, tools & examples ▾
What makes this paper effective
- The paper is well-organized, moving logically from a general introduction to autism through five distinct treatment categories, each given its own section with consistent structure (description, benefits, side effects, expert opinion).
- It balances multiple expert perspectives, including both proponents and critics of each therapy, lending credibility and objectivity to the analysis.
- The use of firsthand accounts, such as the mother's experience with holding therapy and the perspective of an Asperger syndrome sufferer, effectively grounds abstract clinical discussion in human experience.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective synthesis of source material, weaving together textbook citations, journal articles, and reputable web sources to support each claim. Rather than simply summarizing one source at a time, the author consistently integrates multiple voices within each section to build a fuller picture of each treatment's status in the field.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a definition and epidemiological overview of autism, then proceeds through five treatment sections (drug therapies, vitamin/mineral therapies, holding therapy, CranioSacral therapy, and music therapy), each structured as a mini-analysis. A brief conclusion gestures toward additional treatments and ongoing research. The parallel structure across sections makes comparison easy and reflects solid undergraduate essay organization.
Introduction to Autism and Its Impact
Autism is a disease that has no cure, even though research is working toward understanding and ultimately curing it. It affects one in every 150 individuals, making it one of the most prevalent developmental disorders in the world. Symptoms usually begin to appear within the first three years of life, and the condition results from a "neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain; autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills" ("About autism," 2005). Children with autism spectrum disorder often employ rhythmic and repetitive, or "stereotypical," motions; they resist modifications or changes in their environment or daily routines; and they frequently show atypical reactions to sensory experiences (Turnbull et al., 2003, p. 284).
The Autism Society of America (ASA) estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans suffer from the disease, and a majority of these are children, with boys four times more likely to be affected. In addition, the disease has been on the rise, and some researchers have estimated that by 2017 there could be as many as 4 million Americans living with autism ("About autism," 2005). While researchers still do not know how to control or cure the disease, they know it is caused by "brain or biochemical dysfunction before, during, or after birth" (Turnbull et al., 2003, p. 289). Autism can also stem from abnormalities in the brain's development, and biomedical research into the causes of autism continues, because a cure cannot be found until scientists fully understand those causes.
The disease affects the entire family. The child is often unable to communicate effectively, may require special schooling and care throughout life, and will likely have difficulty maintaining meaningful relationships with peers, educators, and even family members. Because autism has become so prevalent in children, researchers have been working to find new treatments and interventions. Some of these include drug therapy, vitamin and mineral supplementation, holding therapy, CranioSacral therapy, and music therapy. It must be remembered, however, that there is no cure for autism, and treatment is not always successful in reducing the effects of the disease.
References
"About autism." (2005). Retrieved 16 Nov. 2007 from the Autism Society of America Web site:
"Autism — treatment, prognosis." (2007). Retrieved 16 Nov. 2007 from the Neurology Channel Web site: http://www.neurologychannel.com/autism/treatment.shtml
Buitelaar, J. K. (2003). Why have drug treatments been so disappointing? In G. Bock & J. Goode (Eds.), Autism: Neural basis and treatment possibilities (pp. 235–242). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
"CranioSacral therapy." (2007). Retrieved 16 Nov. 2007 from the Association for Science in Autism Treatment Web site:
Howlin, P. (2003). Can early interventions alter the course of autism? In G. Bock & J. Goode (Eds.), Autism: Neural basis and treatment possibilities (pp. 250–257). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Sainsbury, C. (2007). Holding therapy: An autistic perspective. Retrieved 16 Nov. 2007 from the National Autistic Society Web site:
Schoen, A. A. (2003). What potential does the applied behavior analysis approach have for the treatment of children and youth with autism? Journal of Instructional Psychology, 30(2), 125+.
Siegel, B. (2003). Helping children with autism learn: Treatment approaches for parents and professionals. New York: Oxford University Press.
Stacey, P. (2003, January/February). Floor time: A new approach to the treatment of autism, one that emphasizes emotional development through intensive one-on-one engagement with autistic children. The Atlantic Monthly, 291, 127+.
Tsai, L. Y. (2005). Chapter 12: Medical treatment in autism. In D. Zager (Ed.), Autism spectrum disorders: Identification, education, and treatment (pp. 395–483). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Turnbull, R., Turnbull, A., Shank, M., & Smith, S. J. (2003). Exceptional lives: Special education in today's schools (4th ed.). New York: Prentice Hall.
Already a member? Log in
Unlock the rest of this paper
135,000+ research papers · AI writing tools · Plagiarism & AI detection
24-Hour Pass
Does not renew
Get 24-Hour PassMonthly
Renews at $12.99/month until canceled
Start MonthlyAnnual
Renews at $99/year until canceled
Start Annual- Unlimited AI writing tools
- Plagiarism and AI text detection tool
Plan details
Unlimited AI writing tools are for individual, non-automated use and are subject to our Terms of Service and abuse-prevention measures.
TextChecker scans: 1 during the 24-Hour Pass, or 5 per month with Monthly and Annual.
Prices exclude applicable tax.
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.