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The Symptoms and Treatment of Autism
 An interview with Mark L. Batshaw, M.D., author of Children with Disabilities, Sixth Edition, and When Your Child Has a Disability: The Complete Sourcebook of Daily and Medical Care, Revised Edition. From the April 2001 Early Childhood newsletter.Q: What social and behavioral characteristics do young children with autism exhibit? A: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects three areas of function: social interaction, language, and behavior. Infants with ASD have little interest in social interactions. They may not smile, or later, imitate facial expressions, point, or respond when called. As older children, they are awkward at best in social situations and often have little interest in interacting with other children. They don't maintain eye contact. Regarding behavior, children with ASD prefer routines and often have rituals and difficulties when they transition from one activity to another. They may become attached to odd objects and engage in repetitive actions. They have little interest in typical age-appropriate play activities and imagination activities. Instead, they exhibit repetitive behavior such as flicking fingers, twirling, rocking, or lining up toys. In older children, there may be memorization of particular information like train schedules or intense interest in certain subjects, such as dinosaurs. Spoken language is delayed or in severe cases, absent. When present, speech may be mechanical or singsong, and communication may occur only to have needs met. Q: How are early intervention programs used to help a child with autism? A: The human brain has the greatest capacity to change and adapt with experience during the early years; thus, early intervention is crucial to maximize the outcome for a child with an ASD. Federal law guarantees families access to these services, but what is actually available varies from state to state. Parents can access these services through their health care provider, local school district, or local health department. In early intervention programs, parents and therapists together plan what will work in their child's particular situation. A typical plan might include speech-language therapy, behavior therapy, and family training in the home, designed to encourage more satisfying social interactions for the child and improve communication. Q: Is medication recommended to complement other therapies children with autism receive? A: Medication plays only a supportive role in the treatment of ASD. Only when an appropriate educational environment, adequate speech language therapy, and behavior management programs are insufficient should medication be tried. Certain antipsychotic medications such as Respirdol and Haldol have been found to be helpful in children with stereotypic or aggressive behavior, while Prozac and related drugs may be of help in increasing language and social interactions. Stimulant medication can improve ADHD symptoms in children with ASD but may also increase stereotypic behavior. Alternative medicines and nontraditional diets and supplements, including secretin, have not been shown to be effective. Q: How can parents work with the early intervention team to reinforce skills at home? A: Parents who are active participants in the intervention plan and can carry out therapy recommendations on an ongoing basis during day-to-day life can expand the therapeutic hours provided, and will be in a better position to help their children achieve their maximum potential.
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