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Individualized plans focus on each person’s particular needs or impairments with the goal of achieving appropriate functional skills. However, with an ASD diagnosis, most children undergo some form of behavior therapy as a first line of combat.

Autism therapy currently covers a broad range of behavioral interventions, various drug-based treatments, dietary supplements and other methods including biomedical prosthetics. Some therapies target the core symptoms of autism, including social cognition, repetitive behaviors, and language deficits, while others address comorbid conditions, such as sleep disturbances, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, anxiety, GI issues, or seizures.

Information regarding these diverse forms of therapy is widespread and gaining a clear understanding of available treatment options is not always straightforward.

How does a parent or caregiver select the appropriate therapy for a child or young adult with ASD? It’s important to consider that not all therapies are equal. While some treatment options have been tested in well-designed studies (evidence-based), others are only now emerging.