Autism therapies: Study shows what works, what doesn't

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(CBS) Parents of kids with autism may be disappointed to learn that there are a couple of big problems with the drugs and behavioral therapies approaches often used to treat the developmental disorder.

Many simply don't work, and those that do can cause major side effects, according to new research.

Take secretin, a hormone commonly used to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It's ineffective, according to a written statement released in conjunction with a study published online in the journal Pediatrics. None of the drugs used for ASD improve kids' communication skills or their ability to socialize appropriately. And while the drugs risperidone and aripiprazole do seem to reduce emotional distress, aggression, hyperactivity, and self-injury in autistic kids, the antipsychotic drugs can make kids fat and drowsy, according to the statement.

Up to 70 percent of children with ASD are treated with medication, Dr. Bryan King, director of Seattle Children's Autism Center, told Reuters.

"The real take-home message for me...is the striking disparity between the treatments that we use and the number of children that are receiving them, and the strength of the evidence that we have in support of these practices," said King, who was not involved in the study.

What about behavioral therapy? The study indicates that it can improve social communication and language use, the statement said. But it can take up more than 30 hours a week, it isn't available everywhere, and insurance doesn't always cover it, Geraldin Dawson, chief science officer for the advocacy group Autism Speaks, told USA Today.

About three to six children out of every 1,000 develop ASD. The disorder, which is four times more common among boys than girls, is characterized by impaired social interaction - failing to make eye contact or to use language or respond appropriately to others. The cause of the disorder is poorly understood, though heredity is believed to play a role.

[beccalynnyee]

I teach an intermediate 6-8 grade autism specific special day class. When my eleven students came to me two years ago, most were considered to be too severe to ever gain many skills. As I do not believe that children cannot succeed, we put our interventions into effect. From students who tantrumed daily; refused to do assignments; had many behavioral and emotional issues (one was till in diapers--NO more); we now have students who will not miss school; rarely, if ever, escalate; do grade level work and beyond, show appropriate levels of affection, look out for each other, are loved by their same age-regular ed peers who mentor them, and so on. The secret: real expectations that they CAN do the work and behave appropriately, TRUST, no suspensions--we WORK on any issues and diminish them without anger, negative punishment. Each child KNOWS if they make a mistake, they may immediately start over and find another way to solve the problem. They are told all the time how smart they are, how wonderful they are. Other rules: No whining, no perseverations (they know what it means), no rude behavior, always help each other and most importantly--"there's always tomorrow." We teach a regular ed curriculum--just started grade level genetics and they "get it." Yes, their abilities are on different levels; but they are excited that they are learning and not just putting puzzles together, playing with play dough that many did for the last 5 or 6 years. People often don't believe what we say happens in our room until they come and visit. Amazement then occurs. We believe in our students, they believe in us--thus in themselves and their own abilities. No, we don't have all the answers, but it is a start and they take their skills to all environments and generalize appropriate behaviors without hours of ABA, meds or other interventions most parents cannot access nor afford. Each day is a skill building experience for all of us. ANYTHING that works is honed and utilized for other problem areas. We are a "work in progress"---that is successful and exciting!

[scramcannon]

The Vitamin D Theory of Autism has predicted every new research finding related to the disease.

The highest rates of autism in the world are confirmed among the Ugandan women of Northern Germany and the Somali community in Minnesota. Their rates of autism are 20,000% (twenty thousand) higher than country norms.

The one thing they have in common is severe vitamin D deficiency. In fact, many of the women have no detectable level of vitamin D.

Harvard Medicine has agreed in principal to this theory, among others. See the facts:

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health/autism/vit-D-theory-autism.shtml

[caizooka]

I think that rephrasing the article to read, 'insurance companies rarely covers any form of behavioral therapy' would ring more true.

I agree with what Dr. King writes. Raising a child on the autism spectrum, it's a lot of trial and error. Amongst my friends whom have children with ASD, what works for one child, doesn't work for the other. It's frustrating at times because it's difficult to decipher if it is a specific therapy, medicine, or just attaining a new developmental stage that is either working for you or against you.

At this point, we're basically treating the symptoms of the autism, not the autism itself. The need for research is paramount! Until we understand why this occurs, we won't understand how to cure it.

[davecavaliere1]

Hello there. This may be a bit off topic however it affects many families. We have a 5 year old with autism we are trying to potty train and a 3 year old with ADHD who isn't trained yet. They both disrobe and play in their diapers. We actually invented some special needs autism clothing that helps the situation. It is an escape proof pajama called The Wonder Jumper and it is a romper sleeper that zips in the back. Our company is called iKids Fashion www.ikidsfashion.com thanks a lot!

[kenhamlett]

This is the sort of thing I have been griping about for years. The article takes a convoluted approach to telling us that the treatments do not work well if at all. Now they need to admit that real autism is rare, that most autism is not autism at all and that some Autism is inflicted. I won't hold my breath waiting for any of that to be announced.
I have watched one situation and made a startling discovery. When social workers, shrinks, et al are around the child is worse. They stress the kid to the extreme. No surprise there. Then we have the family which aggravates the situation with dysfunctional screaming, bickering and general assholish (I think I invented a word)behavior. More stress and problems communicating occur.
The kid does much better without any of the foolishness that is common to the supposedly autistic. This is a significant discovery that you won't hear from the specialists either.

[kavonbor]

OK, so what the article tries to convey is drugs alone, or therapy alone, doesn't work well all of the time. But combining drugs and therapy may help some, but may not help others. And finally, if you go with the drug option, you will be fat and lazy, but less autistic. Wait, I think I confused myself. Anyway, I know a Speech Language Pathologist and I have seen her results. She gives these kids hope and the ability to communicate. I would knock the drugs before knocking the therapists. The one I know, and those she works with, are angels.

[EllsworthGromley]

Occupational therapy is a great resource for those who can afford it, time-wise and financial-wise. I've heard of some very good results from parents with kids going through an occupational therapy program, combined with an integrated listening systems program.

[ozmo-mom]

OK - but remember that there are still meds and supplements that can help some of the symptoms of autism (such as sleeplessness). There are also meds that can help problems possibly caused by autism or commonly associated with autism, such as depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. These can make a real difference in their lives!