KNOWING "Therapies - OVERVIEW"

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SUMMARY OF THE THERAPY OVERVIEW

Here you will find different treatments or therapies developed for Autism or ADHD. This is a listing of the most common therapies. It is important to know that the scientific evidence is very limited in this area. This does not mean that they will not work for at least some children. The best approach is to hear what others find working. Keep an eye out for those therapies that people still stick to after two years! (Almost anything can seem to work for a short while, it is called placebo. Placebo can account for 30% improving, so in general you want higher claims than that for a therapy to be efficient.)

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Behavior Therapy

(AUTISM, ADHD) Finds out what lies behind negative behaviors or difficulties in performing tasks, and then change environment and routines to improve a behavior.

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

(AUTISM) An intensive reward-based training for a particular skill.

Developmental Therapy

(AUTISM) Builds on a child's own interests and strengths to develop social and emotional skills.

Social Skills Therapy

(AUTISM, ADHD) Builds social skills, including what to say and when, and how to behave in different situations.

Speech Therapy

(SPEECH PROBLEMS) Trains articulation and other talking skills.

Occupational Therapy

(mainly AUTISM) Builds daily living skills, including motor skills and sensory integration.

Physical Therapy

(AUTISM) Builds up strength, coordination, and basic sports skills.

Physical Exercise

(ADHD) Decreases the hyperactivity.

Play Therapy

(AUTISM) Builds playing skills that can be used to build other relationship skills.

Picture-based communication

(AUTISM, ADHD) Uses pictures or video to model what to do or provide instructions or a daily schedule.

Biomedical Therapy

(AUTISM, ADHD) Drugs (often first-hand treatment for ADHD but best long-term effects when combined with behavioral treatments), supplements, special diets or alternative treatments.

More coming later...

SOCIAL STORIES

Description:

Why: To explain the expected behaviour in different situations, for example what to do when standing in the lunch line.

How: Write a story, with out without pictures. The stories should be encouraging and clear, and adjusted to your child’s communication skills. Read & show your child when focused.

When: Repeat as needed.

Who: Is commonly used for Autistic Children but will work for ADHD-kids.

Learn More: In Carol Gray's Social Story Book or with the superhero Super-A (a children's book series that uses the Social Story technique as one of the methods).

Research - Link Out: Either work well or not at all on children with autism

RailsAndShine.com

WHAT NOW?

Start with a Top 5 Tool.
Decide your Goal before treatment.
Is the treatment really working for my child?

Tool Kits and problem guides from Autism Speaks
Treatment options including some tips for ADHD.
Find links about specific autism treatments.

SHOULD I TRUST RESEARCH OR PARENTS?

"Scientific studies are often poorly designed (small, not double-blinded), meaning their result may not prove true in future studies. There is little or no hard evidence for most autism treatments (at this point). Parents (and scientists) are often biased and want to see a result in a treatment. If given a placebo (no treatment) - 30% report improvement. There is also the possiblity that treatments may work but only for a sub-group. So maybe you should trust your gut feeling instead - what do you feel will work for YOUR child?"
- Be My Rails - Enabling & Awareness