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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffThere's no way to prevent autism. But autism can be treated, and children can improve their language and social skills with treatments.
If your child is diagnosed with autism, talk to experts about creating a treatment strategy. Keep in mind that you may need to try several different treatments before finding the best combination of therapies for your child.
References
- Autism overview: What are some of the possible signs of autism? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/autism/overview/signsOfAutism.cfm. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
- Autism fact sheet. National Autism Association. http://nationalautismassociation.org/resources/autism-fact-sheet/. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
- LaBlanc LS, et al. Behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2012;59:147.
- Autistic disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
- Huffman LC, et al. Management of symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders: A comprehensive review of pharmacologic and complementary-alternative medicine treatment. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2011;32:56.
- Learn the signs — Act early. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/concerned.html. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
- James S, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007992.pub2/abstract. Accessed July 2, 2012.
- A parent's guide to autism spectrum disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/a-parents-guide-to-autism-spectrum-disorder/what-are-the-symptoms-of-asd.shtml. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
- Augustyn M. Terminology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
- AskMayoExpert. What advice can a primary care provider give to parents who inquire about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treatments that have no scientific evidence of efficacy and may be harmful. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
- Cheuk DKL, et al. Acupuncture for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007992.pub2/abstract. Accessed July 2, 2012.
- American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement. Sensory integration therapies for children with developmental and behavioral disorders. Pediatrics. 2012;129:1186.
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/topics.html. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
- Autism fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
- Whiteside SP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 18, 2012.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 19, 2012.
- Chelation: Therapy or "therapy"? National Capital Poison Center. http://www.poison.org/current/chelation%20therapy.htm. Accessed Sept. 20, 2012.
- Antshel KM, et al. Advances in understanding and treating ADHD. BMC Medicine. 2011;9:72.
- Filipek PA, et al. Reaffirmed 2010. Practice parameter: Screening and diagnosis of autism. Neurology. 2000;55:468.
- Schultz MG (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 21, 2012.
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