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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffNo cure exists for autism, and there is no "one-size-fits-all" treatment. The range of home-based and school-based treatments and interventions for autism can be overwhelming.
Your doctor can help identify resources in your area that may work for your child. Treatment options may include:
- Behavior and communication therapies. Many programs have been developed to address the range of social, language and behavioral difficulties associated with autism. Some programs focus on reducing problem behaviors and teaching new skills. Other programs focus on teaching children how to act in social situations or how to communicate better with other people. Though children don't always outgrow autism, they may learn to function well with the disorder.
- Educational therapies. Children with autism often respond well to highly structured education programs. Successful programs often include a team of specialists and a variety of activities to improve social skills, communication and behavior. Preschool children who receive intensive, individualized behavioral interventions show good progress.
- Medications. No medication can improve the core signs of autism, but certain medications can help control symptoms. Antidepressants may be prescribed for anxiety, for example, and antipsychotic drugs are sometimes used to treat severe behavioral problems.
Managing other medical conditions
Autistic children may also have other medical conditions, such as epilepsy or gastrointestinal problems. Talk to your child's doctor about how to best manage your child's conditions together, and always tell each of your child's health care providers all the medications and supplements your child is taking. Some medications and supplements can interact, causing dangerous side effects.
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- Augustyn M. Clinical features of autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 24, 2010.
- Autism and genes. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/upload/autism_genes_2005.pdf. Accessed April 8, 2010.
- Bilder D, et al. Prenatal, perinatal and neonatal factors associated with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2009;123:1293.
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- Millward C, et al. Gluten- and casein-free diets for autism spectrum disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009:CD003498. http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003498.html. Accessed March 24, 2010. .
- Augustyn M. Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 24, 2010.
- Johnson CP, et al. Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2007;120:1183.
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- Greenspan SI, et al. Guidelines for early identification, screening, and clinical management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2008;121:828.
- Spreckley M, et al. Efficacy of applied behavioral intervention in preschool children with autism for improving cognitive, language, and adaptive behavior: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Pediatrics. 2009;154:338.
- Buie T, et al. Evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with ASDs: A consensus report. 2010;125(suppl):1.
- Canitano R. Epilepsy in autism spectrum disorders. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2007;16:61.
- Golnik AE, et al. Complementary alternative medicine for children with autism: A physician survey. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2009;39:996.
- Wong VCN. Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2009;39:454.
- If you're concerned — Act early. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/concerned.html. Accessed April 8, 2010.
- Rice C. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders — Autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, United States, 2006. Mortality and Morbidity Weekly. 2009;58:1.
- Sinha Y, et al. Chelation therapy and autism. British Medical Journal. 2006;333:756.
- 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 May 11, 2010.
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