Controversies In Autism

Controversies in Treating Autism Spectrum Disorder According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or more commonly referred to as autism yearly (“Autism Spectrum Disorder”). Autism is a complicated developmental disorder typically diagnosed during the time between infancy and age three ("Autism Spectrum Disorder”) that can cause “difficulties with social interaction, [both] verbal and nonverbal communication, and behavioral problems including receptive behaviors and narrow focus of interest” (Davidson et al. 373). There are different types of autism, including “Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental …show more content…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states, “there are no medications that can cure ASD or treat the core symptoms” (“Treatment”). Although the core symptoms of autism cannot be treated or cured, some medications can help treat the specific needs people with autism spectrum disorder may have. Some specific needs would include depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, epilepsy (Davidson et al. 377), inability to focus and seizures (“Treatment”). Being able to treat specific needs created by autism is an important aspect of treatment because it will improve the quality of life, especially in the lives of those whose autism causes aggressive or self-harming behaviors. Some autistic children can become violent or angry and will lash out because they are unable to communicate effectively. Specific antipsychotic medicines such as “Haloperidol, Thioridazine, Fluphenazine, and Chlorpromazine” are sometimes applied to treat behavioral problems (Phillips 49). Risperidone and Aripiprazole have FDA approval for autistic children five years of age or older “who have severe tantrums or aggression and self-injurious behavior” (“Beware of False”). Parents and practitioners must be especially observant and alert if an autistic child is taking an antipsychotic medication because of possible “severe adverse reactions” caused by these medications (Phillips 49). Antipsychotic …show more content…
ABA therapy is a broad term used to describe numerous types of behavioral therapies available to care for autism, such as Discrete Trial Training, Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, Pivotal Response Training, and Verbal Behavior Intervention (“Treatment”). Since autism affects all children differently, the treatment for each child must be individualized. ABA therapy measures and records an autistic child’s progress in learning new skills while promoting behaviors deemed as positive and acceptable and safely discouraging behaviors deemed as negative (“Treatment”). ABA therapy does not threaten or harm children who display negative behaviors. According to Dr. Regina Phillips, ABA therapy is “an individualized reward system” and involves breaking down positive behaviors into manageable steps and a reward is given for accurate completion of the steps (47). Although ABA therapy is highly commended in the treatment of autism, critics argue there is not enough scientific evidence from studies to prove its effectiveness. In scientific studies and experiments, the difference between a control and experimental group is the experimental group will receive the treatment while the control group does not. Originally published in 1987, Ivar Lovaas’ study known as the “’Young Autism Project’”

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