Autism therapies

Autism therapies encompass educational and psychosocial interventions as well as medical management, all designed to improve communication, learning, adaptive skills of autistic people. Such methods of therapy seek to aid autistic people in dealing with difficulties and increase their functional independence. Treatment is typically catered to the person's needs. Training and support are also given to families of those diagnosed with autism.^[2]

Autism therapies
A three-year-old with autism points to fish in an aquarium, as part of an experiment (2004) on the effect of intensive shared-attention training on language development.[1]

Available approaches include applied behavior analysis (ABA), developmental models, structured teaching, speech and language therapy, social skills therapy, and occupational therapy.^[2] ABA is a behavioral therapy that aims to teach autistic children certain social and other behaviors by prompting using rewards and reinforcement learning through play, expressive labeling, and requesting as well as reduce aggressive and self-injurious behavior by assessing its environmental causes and reinforcing replacement behaviors. Occupational therapists work with autistic children by creating interventions that promote social interaction like sharing and cooperation.^[3] They also support the autistic child by helping them work through a dilemma as the OT imitates the child and waiting for a response from the child.^[3] For autistic adults, key treatment issues include residential care, job training and placement, sexuality, social skills, and estate planning.^[4]

Studies of interventions have some methodological problems that prevent definitive conclusions about efficacy.^[5] Although many psychosocial interventions have some positive evidence, suggesting that some form of treatment is preferable to no treatment, the systematic reviews have reported that the quality of these studies has generally been poor, their clinical results are mostly tentative, and there is little evidence for the relative effectiveness of treatment options.^[6] Intensive, sustained special education programs and behavior therapy early in life can help children with ASD acquire self-care, social, and job skills,^[2] and often can improve functioning, and decrease severity of the signs and observed behaviors thought of as maladaptive;^[7] Early, intensive ABA has demonstrated effectiveness, but many randomized clinical studies lacked adverse event monitoring, although such adverse effects may be common.^[8] The limited research on the effectiveness of adult residential programs shows mixed results.^[9]

Medical management addresses co-occurring challenges such as irritability, hyperactivity, anxiety, and sleep disturbances rather than core social and communication traits. Many such treatments have been prescribed off-label in order to target specific symptoms.^[10] Antipsychotic medications such as risperidone and aripiprazole can reduce severe behavioral issues, while stimulants may help with attention and activity levels.^[11][12] Pharmacological treatments, including antidepressants and antipsychotics, may be prescribed to manage co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or irritability, but they do not treat the underlying characteristics of autism.^[13][14] Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, oxytocin, and other agents have shown inconsistent results.^[15][16] Parents of autistic children often encounter conflicting advice, unproven "miracle" treatments, and misleading claims in efforts to improve symptoms of a largely genetic disorder that currently has no cure.^[17][13] Many alternative or complementary treatments, including dietary restrictions, chelation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, sensory integration, and acupuncture, lack scientific support and may pose health or financial risks.^[18][19]

Applied behavior analysis

Main article: Applied behavior analysis § Use in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the applied research field of the science of behavior analysis, and it underpins a wide range of techniques used to treat autism and many other behaviors and diagnoses,^[20] including those who are patients in rehab or in whom a behavior change is desired. ABA-based interventions focus on teaching tasks one-on-one using the behaviorist principles of stimulus, response and reward,^[21] and on reliable measurement and objective evaluation of observed behavior.^[2]

The use of technology has begun to be implemented in ABA therapy for the treatment of autism.^[22] Robots, gamification, image processing, storyboards, augmented reality, and web systems have been shown to be useful in the treatment of autism.^[22] These technologies are used to teach children with autism skill acquisition.^[22] The web programs were designed to address skills such as attention, social behavior, communication, or reading.^[22]

Criticisms and Considerations

While ABA is often described as a "gold standard" intervention for autism, it is not without criticism. Considered the most evidence-based and widely used intervention for autism, ABA has also been the subject of ethical debate. Some key considerations include:

• The need to ensure ethically appropriate goals: interventions must respect the individual's dignity, preferences and long-term well-being, rather than simply enforcing compliance.^[23]
• The importance of generalisation and maintenance of learned behaviours — not just training in a specific context.^[24]
• Access and implementation challenges: availability of trained practitioners, cost, family involvement and setting quality all impact outcomes.^[25]

Critics argue that ABA can, in some forms, overemphasize compliance or normalization rather than fostering autonomy and self-advocacy.^[23] Recent scholarship emphasizes the importance of ensuring that ABA interventions respect individual dignity, focus on meaningful life outcomes, and are implemented with compassion and consent.^[24]

Some autistic individuals and advocacy groups argue that ABA can be distressing and may contribute to PTSD symptoms, while others consider it an effective intervention for skill development.^{[26][27][28][29][30][31]} The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) opposed the use of ABA, arguing that it encourages masking and compliance rather than supporting autistic identity. However, ABA remains a widely used intervention among clinicians and educators.^[32][33]

Some diagnosed with ASD or similar disorders advocate against behavioral therapies more broadly, like ABA and CBT, often as part of the autism rights movement, on the grounds that these approaches frequently reinforce the demand on autistic people to mask their neurodivergent characteristics or behaviors to favor a more 'neurotypical' and narrow conception of normality.^[34][35][36] In the case of CBT and talking therapies, the effectiveness varies, with many reporting that they appeared 'too self-aware' to gain significant benefit, as the therapy was designed with neurotypical people in mind.  In autistic children, specifically, they also report that it is only mildly beneficial in aiding with their anxieties.

Discrete trial training

Main article: Discrete trial training

Many intensive behavioral interventions rely heavily on discrete trial teaching (DTT) methods, which use stimulus-response-reward techniques to teach foundational skills such as attention, compliance, and imitation.^[37] While DTT is effective for teaching foundational skills such as attention, compliance, and imitation, children may struggle to apply these skills to real-world settings.^[2] These students are also taught with naturalistic teaching procedures to help generalize these skills. In functional assessment, a common technique, a teacher formulates a clear description of a problem behavior, identifies antecedents, consequences, and other environmental factors that influence and maintain the behavior, develops hypotheses about what occasions and maintains the behavior, and collects observations to support the hypotheses.^[2] A few more-comprehensive ABA programs use multiple assessment and intervention methods individually and dynamically.^[38]

ABA-based techniques have demonstrated effectiveness in several controlled studies: children have been shown to make sustained gains in academic performance, adaptive behavior, and language, with outcomes significantly better than control groups.^[2] A 2009 review of educational interventions for children, whose mean age was six years or less at intake, found that the higher-quality studies all assessed ABA, that ABA is well-established and no other educational treatment is considered probably efficacious, and that intensive ABA treatment, carried out by trained therapists, is demonstrated effective in enhancing global functioning in preschool children.^[39] These gains may be complicated by initial IQ.^[40]

A 2008 evidence-based review of comprehensive treatment approaches found that ABA is well established for improving intellectual performance of young children with ASD.^[7] A 2009 comprehensive synthesis of early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI), a form of ABA treatment, found that EIBI produces strong effects, suggesting that it can be effective for some children with autism; it also found that the large effects might be an artifact of comparison groups with treatments that have yet to be empirically validated, and that no comparisons between EIBI and other widely recognized treatment programs have been published.^[41]

A 2009 systematic review came to the same principal conclusion that EIBI is effective for some but not all children, with wide variability in response to treatment; it also suggested that any gains are likely to be greatest in the first year of intervention.^[42] A 2009 meta-analysis concluded that EIBI has a large effect on full-scale intelligence and a moderate effect on adaptive behavior.^[43] However, a 2009 systematic review and meta-analysis found that applied behavior intervention (ABI), another name for EIBI, did not significantly improve outcomes compared with standard care of preschool children with ASD in the areas of cognitive outcome, expressive language, receptive language, and adaptive behavior.^[44] ABA is cost effective for administrators.^[45]

A multi-site randomized control trial study in 2023 compared 25 hours per week of discrete trial training (DTT) to 2.5 to 20 hours per week of JASPER therapy, a naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention. Progress was identified with both approaches: 45% of participants gained typical spoken language, and the children with lower receptive language skills who received DTT showed larger gains in the long-term.^[46]

Recently, behavior analysts have built comprehensive models of child development (see Behavior analysis of child development) to generate models for prevention as well as treatment for autism.

Pivotal response training

Main article: Pivotal response training

Pivotal response treatment (PRT) is a naturalistic intervention derived from ABA principles. Instead of individual behaviors, it targets pivotal areas of a child's development, such as motivation, responsivity to multiple cues, self-management, and social initiations; it aims for widespread improvements in areas that are not specifically targeted. The child determines activities and objects that will be used in a PRT exchange. Intended attempts at the target behavior are rewarded with a natural reinforcer: for example, if a child attempts a request for a stuffed animal, the child receives the animal, not a piece of candy or other unrelated reinforcer.^[47]

Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)

Main article: Early Start Denver Model

Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a subtype of applied behavior analysis (ABA) designed for autistic toddlers and preschoolers, typically between 12 and 48 months of age.^[48] Developed in the 1980s by psychologists Sally J. Rogers and Geraldine Dawson, the model integrates behavioral, developmental, and relationship-based approaches to promote early learning.^[49] It emphasizes natural play routines, joint attention, and parent participation to build language, social interaction, imitation, and cognitive skills.^[50]

Research, including randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, has found that ESDM can improve cognitive and language development and may reduce autism symptoms over time.^[51][52] The model is recognized internationally, including by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States,^[53] the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia,^[54] and health authorities in France and Brazil.^[55][56]

Educational interventions

Further information: List of schools for people on the autism spectrum

Educational interventions attempt to help children not only to learn academic subjects and gain traditional readiness skills, but also to improve functional communication and spontaneity, enhance social skills such as joint attention, develop cognitive skills such as symbolic play, reduce disruptive behavior, and generalize learned skills by applying them to new situations. Several program models have been developed, which in practice often overlap and share many features, including:^[2]

• early intervention that is not dependent upon a definitive diagnosis;
• intense intervention, at least 25 hours per week, 12 months per year;
• low student/teacher ratio;
• family involvement, including training of parents;
• interaction with neurotypical peers;
• social stories, ABA and other visually based training;^[57]
• structure that includes predictable routine and clear physical boundaries to lessen distraction; and
• ongoing measurement of a systematically planned intervention, resulting in adjustments as needed.

Several educational intervention methods are available, as discussed below. They can take place at home, at school, or at a center devoted to autism treatment; they can be implemented by parents, teachers, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists.^[2][3] A 2007 study found that augmenting a center-based program with weekly home visits by a special education teacher improved cognitive development and behavior.^[58]

Many intervention studies have methodological limitations, such as small sample sizes and inconsistent outcome measures, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about efficacy.^[5] Although many psychosocial interventions have some positive evidence, suggesting that some form of treatment is preferable to no treatment, the methodological quality of systematic reviews of these studies has generally been poor, their clinical results are mostly tentative, and there is little evidence for the relative effectiveness of treatment options.^[6] Concerns about outcome measures, such as their inconsistent use, most greatly affect how the results of scientific studies are interpreted.^[59] A 2009 Minnesota study found that parents follow behavioral treatment recommendations significantly less often than they follow medical recommendations, and that they adhere more often to reinforcement than to punishment recommendations.^[60] Intensive, sustained special education programs and behavior therapy early in life can help children acquire self-care, social, and job skills,^[2] and often improve functioning and decrease symptom severity and maladaptive behaviors;^[7] claims that intervention by around age three years is crucial are not substantiated.^[42] Mind-body therapies are frequently utilized by autistic individuals. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive examination into the specific types of mind-body therapies used for ASD and their intended outcomes.^[61]

SCERTS

The SCERTS model^[62] is an educational model for working with children with ASD. It was designed to help families, educators, and therapists work cooperatively together to maximize progress in supporting the child.

The acronym refers to the focus on:

• SC – social communication – the development of functional communication and emotional expression.
• ER – emotional regulation – the development of well-regulated emotions and ability to cope with stress.
• TS – transactional support – the implementation of supports to help families, educators, and therapists respond to children's needs, adapt the environment, and provide tools to enhance learning.

National education policies

U.S.

In the United States, there have been three major policies addressing special education in the United States. These policies were the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1997, and the No Child Left Behind in 2001. The development of those policies showed increased guidelines for special education and requirements; such as requiring states to fund special education, equality of opportunities, help with transitions after secondary schooling, requiring extra qualifications for special education teachers, and creating a more specific class setting for those with disabilities.^[63][64][65] The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, specifically had a large impact on special education as public schools were then required to employ high qualified staff. In 2009, for one to be a Certified Autism Specialist the requirements included: a master's degree, two years of career experience working with the autism population, earn 14 continuing education hours in autism every two years, and register with the International Institute of Education.^[66]

Perceived disadvantages of autistic people in the U.S. in the 2010s

Martha Nussbaum discusses how education is one of the fertile functions that is important for the development of a person and their ability to achieve a multitude of other capabilities within society.^[67] Autism can present challenges in traditional educational environments, particularly in areas such as imitation, observational learning, and communication. As of 2014, of all disabilities affecting the population, autism ranked third lowest in acceptance into a postsecondary education institution.^[68] In a 2012 study funded by the National Institute of Health, Shattuck et al. found that only 35% of autistics are enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college within the first two years after leaving high school compared to 40% of children who have a learning disability.^[69] Due to the growing need for a college education to obtain a job, this statistic shows how autistics are at a disadvantage in gaining many of the capabilities that Nussbaum discusses and makes education more than just a type of therapy for those with autism.^[68] According to the 2012 study by Shattuck, only 55% of children with autism participated in any paid employment within the first two years after high school. Furthermore, those with autism that come from low income families tend to have lower success in postsecondary schooling.^[69]

Oftentimes, schools lacked the resources to create (what at the time was considered) an optimal classroom setting for those 'in need of special education'. In 2014 in the United States, it could cost between $6,595 to $10,421 extra to educate a child with autism.^[70] In the 2011–2012 school year, the average cost of education for a public school student was $12,401. In some 2015 cases, the extra cost required to educate a child with autism nearly doubled the average cost to educate the average public school student.^[71] As the abilities of autistic people vary highly, it is highly challenging to create a standardized curriculum that will fit all autistic learning needs. In the United States, in 2014 many school districts required schools to meet the needs of disabled students, regardless of the number of children with disabilities there are in the school.^[72] This combined with a shortage of licensed special education teachers has created a deficiency in the special education system. In 2011 the shortage caused some states to give temporary special education licenses to teachers with the caveat that they receive a license within a few years.^[73]

Mexico

In 1993, Mexico passed an education law that called for the inclusion of those with disabilities. This law was very important for Mexico education, however, there have been issues in implementing it due to a lack of resources.^[74]

United Nations and internationally

There have also been multiple international groups that have issued reports addressing issues in special education. The United Nations on "International Norms and Standards relating to Disability" in 1998. This report cites multiple conventions, statements, declarations, and other reports such as: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Salamanca Statement, the Sundberg Declaration, the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, and many others. One main point that the report emphasizes is the necessity for education to be a human right. The report also states that the "quality of education should be equal to that of persons without disabilities." The other main points brought up by the report discuss integrated education, special education classes as supplementary, teacher training, and equality for vocational education.^[75] The United Nations also releases a report by the Special Rapporteur that has a focus on persons with disabilities. In 2015, a report titled "Report of the Special Rapporteur to the 52nd Session of the Commission for Social Development: Note by the Secretary-General on Monitoring of the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities" was released. This report focused on looking at how the many countries involved, with a focus on Africa, have handled policy regarding persons with disabilities. In this discussion, the author also focuses on the importance of education for persons with disabilities as well as policies that could help improve the education system such as a move towards a more inclusive approach.^[76] The World Health Organization has also published a report addressing people with disabilities and within this there is a discussion on education in their "World Report on Disability" in 2011.^[77] Other organizations that have issued reports discussing the topic are UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank.^[78]

Communication interventions

See also: Speech therapy and Picture exchange communication system

The inability to communicate, verbally or nonverbally, is a core deficit in autism. Children with autism are often engaged in repetitive activity or other behaviors because they cannot convey their intent any other way. They do not know how to communicate their ideas to caregivers or others. Helping a child with autism learn to communicate their needs and ideas is absolutely core to any intervention. Communication can either be verbal or nonverbal. Some autistic children benefit from intensive interventions to develop communication skills.

Communication interventions fall into two major categories. First, many autistic children do not speak, or have little speech, or have difficulties in effective use of language.^[79] Social skills have been shown to be effective in treating children with autism.^[79] Interventions that attempt to improve communication are commonly conducted by speech and language therapists, and work on joint attention, communicative intent, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods such as visual methods,^[80] for example visual schedules. AAC methods do not appear to impede speech and may result in modest gains.^[81] A 2006 study reported benefits both for joint attention intervention and for symbolic play intervention,^[82] and a 2007 study found that joint attention intervention is more likely than symbolic play intervention to cause children to engage later in shared interactions.^[83]

Second, social skills treatment attempts to increase social and communicative skills of autistic individuals, addressing a core deficit of autism. A wide range of intervention approaches is available, including modeling and reinforcement, adult and peer mediation strategies, peer tutoring, social games and stories, self-management, pivotal response therapy, video modeling, direct instruction, visual cuing, Circle of Friends and social-skills groups.^[84] A 2007 meta-analysis of 55 studies of school-based social skills intervention found that they were minimally effective for children and adolescents with ASD,^[85] and a 2007 review found that social skills training has minimal empirical support for children with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism.^[86]

Relationship Development Intervention

Main article: Relationship Development Intervention

Relationship based models give importance to the relationships that help children reach and master early developmental milestones. These are often missed or not mastered in children with ASD. Examples of these early milestones are engagement and interest in the world, intimacy with a caregiver, intentionality of action.

Relationship development intervention^[87] is a family-based treatment program for children with ASD. This program is based on the belief that the development of dynamic intelligence (the ability to think flexibly, take different perspectives, cope with change and process information simultaneously) is key to improving the quality of life of children with autism.

Son-Rise

Main article: Son-Rise

Son-Rise is a home-based program that emphasizes on implementing a color- and sensory-free playroom. Before implementing the home-based program, an institute trains the parents how to accept their child without judgment through a series of dialogue sessions. Like Floortime, parents join their child's ritualistic behavior for relationship-building. To gain the child's "willing engagement", the facilitator continues to join them only this time through parallel play. Proponents claim that children will become non-autistic after parents accept them for who they are and engage them in play. The program was started by the parents of Raun Kaufman, who is claimed to have gone from being autistic to normal via the treatment in the early 1970s.^[88] A stated goal of the program is to increase eye contact.^[89] In a 2017 qualitative study it was found that autistic people have reported to find eye contact distressing.^[90] No independent study has tested the efficacy of the program, but a 2003 study found that involvement with the program led to more drawbacks than benefits for the involved families over time,^[91] and a 2006 study found that the program is not always implemented as it is typically described in the literature, which suggests it will be difficult to evaluate its efficacy.^[92]

Sensory integration

Main article: Sensory processing disorder

Unusual responses to sensory stimuli are more common and prominent in children with autism, although there is not good evidence that sensory symptoms differentiate autism from other developmental disorders.^[93] Several therapies have been developed to treat sensory processing disorder (SPD).^[94]

The term multisensory integration, in simple terms, means the ability to use all of one's senses to accomplish a task. Occupational therapists sometimes prescribe sensory treatments for children with autism. However, in general, there has been little or no scientific evidence of effectiveness.^[95]

Animal-assisted therapy

Main article: Animal-assisted therapy

Old model

Animal-assisted therapy, where an animal such as a dog or a horse becomes a basic part of a person's treatment, was a controversial treatment for some symptoms. A 2007 meta-analysis found that animal-assisted therapy was associated with "a moderate improvement in autism spectrum symptoms".^[96] Reviews of published dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT) studies found important methodological flaws and concluded that there is no compelling scientific evidence that DAT is a legitimate therapy or that it affords any more than fleeting improvements in mood.^[97]

New model

Modern animal-assisted therapy as relating to autism is not about 'controlling autistic symptoms' but about a natural way to bring about socializing^[98] (via bridging the 'double empathy gap') and also for stress reduction.^[99][100] As in a 2020 program: "the remarkable adherence to the therapy program by study participants and the program's clinically relevant effects indicate that AAT with dogs can be used to reduce perceived stress and symptoms of agoraphobia, and to improve social awareness and communication in adults with ASD with normal to high intelligence."^[101] In 2021, a study was conducted on this topic, specifically on "autonomic and endocrine activity in adults with autism spectrum disorder"^[100] in part for stress reduction, particularly as for autistic people the "downside of social camouflaging is that it is a major source of stress".^[100]

Neurofeedback

Main article: Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback attempts to train individuals to regulate their brainwave patterns by letting them observe their brain activity more directly. In its most traditional form, the output of EEG electrodes is fed into a computer that controls a game-like audiovisual display. Neurofeedback has been evaluated 'with positive results for ASD', but studies have lacked random assignment to controls.^[102] This research is ongoing as of 2019 though now focused on "improving attention" and "reducing anxiety".^[103]

Patterning

Patterning is a set of exercises that attempts to improve the organization of a child's neurologic impairments. It has been used for decades to treat children with several unrelated neurologic disorders, including autism. The method, taught at The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential, is based on oversimplified theories and is not supported by carefully designed research studies.^[104]

Other methods

There are many simple methods such as priming, prompt delivery, picture schedules, peer tutoring, and cooperative learning, that have been proven to help autistic students to prepare for class and to understand the material better. Priming is done by allowing the students to see the assignment or material before they are shown in class. Prompt delivery consists of giving prompts to the autistic children in order to elicit a response to the academic material. Picture schedules are used to outline the progression of a class and are visual cues to allow autistic children to know when changes in the activity are coming up. This method has proven to be very useful in helping the students follow the activities. Peer tutoring and cooperative learning are ways in which an autistic student and a nondisabled student are paired together in the learning process. This has shown be very effective for "increasing both academic success and social interaction."^[105] There are more specific strategies that have been shown to improve an autistic's education, such as LEAP, Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children, and Non-Model-Specific Special Education Programs for preschoolers. LEAP is "an intensive 12-month program that focuses on providing a highly structured and safe environment that helps students to participate in and derive benefit from educational programming" and focuses on children from 5-21 who have a more severe case of autism.^[106] The goal of the program is to develop functional independence through academic instruction, vocational/translational curriculum, speech/language services, and other services personalized for each student.^[106] While LEAP, TEACCH, and Non-Model Specific Special Education Programs are all different strategies, there has been no evidence that one is more effective than the other.^[107]

Environmental enrichment

Main article: Environmental enrichment

Environmental enrichment is concerned with how the brain is affected by the stimulation of its information processing provided by its surroundings (including the opportunity to interact socially). Brains in richer, more-stimulating environments, have increased numbers of synapses, and the dendrite arbors upon which they reside are more complex. This effect happens particularly during neurodevelopment, but also to a lesser degree in adulthood. With extra synapses there is also increased synapse activity and so increased size and number of glial energy-support cells. Capillary vasculation also is greater to provide the neurons and glial cells with extra energy. The neuropil (neurons, glial cells, capillaries, combined) expands making the cortex thicker. There may also exist (at least in rodents) more neurons.

Research on nonhuman animals finds that more-stimulating environments could aid the treatment and recovery of a diverse variety of brain-related dysfunctions, including Alzheimer's disease and those connected to aging, whereas a lack of stimulation might impair cognitive development.

Research on humans suggests that lack of stimulation (deprivation—such as in old-style orphanages) delays and impairs cognitive development. Research also finds that higher levels of education (which is both cognitively stimulating in itself, and associates with people engaging in more challenging cognitive activities) results in greater resilience (cognitive reserve) to the effects of aging and dementia.

Massage therapy

A review of massage therapy as a symptomatic treatment of autism found limited evidence of benefit. There were few high quality studies, and due to the risk of bias found in the studies analyzed, no firm conclusions about the efficacy of massage therapy could be drawn.^[108]

Music

Music therapy uses the elements of music to let people express their feelings and communicate. A 2014 review (updated in 2022) found that music therapy may help in social interactions and communication.^[109]

Music therapy can involve various techniques depending on where the subject is sitting on the ASD scale.^[110] Somebody who may be considered as 'low-functioning' would require vastly different treatment to somebody on the ASD scale who is 'high-functioning'. Examples of these types of therapeutic techniques include:^[111]

• Free improvisation – No boundaries or skills required
• Structured improvisation – Some established parameters within the music
• Performing or recreating music – Reproducing a pre-composed piece of music or song with associated activities
• Composing music – Creating music that caters to the specific needs of that person using instruments or the voice
• Listening – Engaging in specific musical listening base exercises

Improvisational Music Therapy (IMT), is increasing in popularity as a therapeutic technique being applied to children with ASD. The process of IMT occurs when the client and therapist make up music, through the use of various instruments, song and movement. The specific needs of each child or client need to be taken into consideration. Some children with ASD find their different environments chaotic and confusing, therefore, IMT sessions require the presence of a certain routine and be predictable in nature, within their interactions and surroundings.^[112] Music therapy has been explored as a potential method to support social interactions and communication in autistic individuals. The allowance of parents or caregivers to sessions can put the child at ease and allow for activities to be incorporated into everyday life.^[112]

Sensory enrichment therapy

In all interventions for autistic children, the main strategy is to aim towards the improvement of sensitivity in all senses. Autistic children may lack the ability to name or even feel their own emotions. This can also impact relating to other people's emotions and inferring the moods of others.^[113] Many autistic children also live with a Sensory Processing Disorder.^[114] In sensory-based interventions, there have been signs of progress in children responding with an appropriate response when given a stimulus after being in sensory-based therapies for a period of time. However, at this time, there is no concrete evidence that these therapies are effective for autistic children.^[114] Autism spectrum disorder varies from child to child, which can make it challenging for clinicians to assess and know what therapies to apply.

The purpose of these differentiated interventions are to intervene at the neurological level of the brain in hopes to develop appropriate responses to the different sensations from one's body and also to outside stimuli in one's environment. Scientists have used music therapies, massage therapies, occupational therapies and more. With the Autistic Spectrum being so diverse and widespread, each case or scenario is different.^[95]

Mindfulness

Emerging evidence for mindfulness-based interventions for improving mental health in adults with autism has support through a recent systematic review. This includes evidence for decreasing stress, anxiety, ruminating thoughts, anger, and aggression.^[115]

Parent-mediated interventions

Parent-mediated interventions offer support and practical advice to parents of autistic children.^[80] A 2013 Cochrane Review found that there was no evidence of gains in most of the primary measures of the studies (e.g., the child's adaptive behavior), however there was strong evidence for a positive pattern of change in parent-child interactions. There was some uncertain evidence of changes in the child's language and communication.^[116] A very small number of randomized and controlled studies suggest that parent training can lead to reduced maternal depression, improved maternal knowledge of autism and communication style, and improved child communicative behavior, but due to the design and number of studies available, definitive evidence of effectiveness is not available.^[117]

Early detection of ASD in children can often occur before a child reaches the age of three years old. Methods that target early behavior can influence the quality of life for a child with ASD. Parents can learn methods of interaction and behavior management to best assist their child's development. A 2013 Cochrance review concluded that there were some improvements when parent intervention was used.^[116]

TEACCH

Main article: Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children

Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), which has come to be called "structured teaching", emphasises structure by using organized physical environments, predictably sequenced activities, visual schedules and visually structured activities, and structured work/activity systems where each child can practice various tasks.^[2] Parents are taught to implement the treatment at home. A 1998 controlled trial found that children treated with a TEACCH-based home program improved significantly more than a control group.^[118] A 2013 meta-analysis compiling all the clinical trials of TEACCH indicated that it has small or no effects on perceptual, motor, verbal, cognitive, and motor functioning, communication skills, and activities of daily living. There were positive effects in social and maladaptive behavior, but these required further replication due to the methodological limitations of the pool of studies analysed.^[119]

Medical management

Medication

Many medications are used to treat problems associated with ASD.^[120] More than half of U.S. children diagnosed with ASD are prescribed psychoactive drugs or anticonvulsants, with the most common drug classes being antidepressants, stimulants, and antipsychotics.^[121]

Research has focused on atypical antipsychotics, especially risperidone, which has the largest amount of evidence that consistently shows improvements in irritability, self-injury, aggression, and tantrums associated with ASD.^[122] Risperidone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating symptomatic irritability in autistic children and adolescents.^[123] In short-term trials (up to six months) most adverse events were mild to moderate, with weight gain, drowsiness, and high blood sugar requiring monitoring; long term efficacy and safety have not been fully determined.^[124] It is unclear whether risperidone improves autism's core social and communication deficits.^[123] The FDA's decision was based in part on a study of autistic children with severe and enduring problems of tantrums, aggression, and self-injury; risperidone is not recommended for autistic children with mild aggression and explosive behavior without an enduring pattern.^[125]

No intervention perspective

Further information: Autism rights movement § Anti-cure perspective

Some autism self-advocacy organizations view autism as a different neurology rather than a mental disorder and advocate for acceptance over intervention. However, other advocacy groups, parents, and medical professionals continue to explore treatments aimed at addressing autism-related challenges.^{[32][33][126][127]}

Criticisms of most educational, social, and behavioral focused autism therapies as put forth by autistic adults, teachers, and researchers frequently fall into the idea of these programs encouraging^[128] or even training behavioral responses directed toward "camouflaging",^{[129][130][131][132][133][134][135][136]} "passing as non-autistic",^{[128][137][138]} or "masking".^{[129][136][139][140][141][142][143][134][144]} Recent studies indicate that, among autistic people, burnout and mental health difficulties associated with masking^[145][146] "driven by the stress of masking and living in an unaccommodating neurotypical world"^[147][148] is an issue (which also impacts autistic young people^[149] and children).^[150] Animal-assisted therapy used to be directed toward symptoms of autism and some studies of the programs are now directed toward burnout.^[100]

In 2018 more studies began involving the experiences of autistic adults^[151][152] including their experiences with general practice medicine.^[153] Subsequent related studies have focused on communication preferences of autistic adults^[154] and the idea of "the 'Autistic Advantage', a strengths-based model".^{[155][156][157]}

See also

• Psychology portal
• Psychiatry portal

• Autistic rights movement
• Autism friendly
• Equine-assisted therapy on autistic people
• List of investigational autism and pervasive developmental disorder drugs
• Ryan's Law
• Special education