When a child is first diagnosed with autism parents are confused with all of the therapies available. I receive countless emails, phone calls, letters, and personal visits asking my opinion.
I have been practicing for 35 years and I have found ABA along with medications such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, Resperidol, and occassionally Adderal to be effective, along with speech, occupational, and sometime physical therapy. Children with autism do much better when they get these therapies at an early age. (I see a lot of two year olds in my clinic) and they seem to do better if they are in daycare, at least some of the time.
I have watched parents try alternative therapies--diet--vitamin supplements, etc. and have yet to see significant improvement. I read and hear anecdotal reports of children who are much improved on these alternative therapies, and I hope that thhese reports are true, but I have yet to see it.
