Assessing Whether A Medication Works
Treating Autism
When your child starts taking a new medication, you and the professional need to monitor your child carefully. It can also help if you understand the targeted behaviour or problem before your child starts the medication. Take a week to write down details like when, how often and how long the behaviour happens, and think about how intense it is. Also pay attention to your childs sleeping habits and appetite. This puts you in a good position to notice whether anything is changing once your child starts the medication. When your child starts taking a medication, try not to change anything else about their routine or therapy program. Then if you notice any changes, itll be easier to tell whether theyve been caused by the medication. You could also ask a family friend it they notice any differences in your childs behaviour. Complementary And Alternative ApproachesAlthough many complementary and alternative medicine therapies lack proven effectiveness,49 physicians should recognize that most families of children with ASDs are likely to try at least one CAM approach.25 Parents of children with autism who are interested in CAM are often disappointed with their physicians’ lack of knowledge or negative attitudes about CAM. Physicians can foster a trusting relationship by asking, in a nonjudgmental way, about CAM and listening to the parents’ perceptions regarding the benefits of a particular treatment. Once trust is established, the physician can help families distinguish validated treatment approaches from treatments that have been proven ineffective or those that are unproven and potentially harmful.28 Several Web sites can assist physicians with staying up to date on new treatments . Creating A Medication PlanHealthcare providers usually prescribe a medication on a trial basis to see if it helps. Some medications may make symptoms worse at first or take several weeks to work. Your child’s healthcare provider may have to try different dosages or different combinations of medications to find the most effective plan. Families, caregivers, and healthcare providers need to work together to make sure that the medication plan is safe and that all medications have some benefit. Things to remember about medication:
Also Check: Can A Child With Autism Have Dyslexia Should Children With Autism See A Pediatric NeurologistIf your child has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum, then youve probably already seen or been referred to many medical specialists. One these specialists may be a pediatric neurologist. But what does neurology have to do with autism? There are a few different ways that a pediatric neurologist can help aid in your childs autism treatment. How To Treat A Child With Autism: First StepsWhen a parent finds out that his child has autism, the shock can be life-changing. However, according to research studies, parents who know how to care for children with autism perform well emotionally and are able to create a strong bond between them and their children. How to treat a child with autism? Here are a few basic guidelines for parents and caregivers. Just like all the other pervasive development disorders, autism begins in children when they are below three years of age. During its development stage, a parent will notice a complex group of developmental disabilities such as difficulties in communication, walking, smiling, reacting to the environment and even learning. The child will hardly have any social interactions with his environment and those close to him. Autism can range from being mild to very severe and will most likely interfere with the life of your child and your relationship with him. Autism affects the emotional health of the child, physical growth and even career aspirations. The problem can be checked if you know how to care for a child living with autism. Below are some tips to help you cope with autism in a child. Recommended Reading: High Performance Autism Risperidone For Autism: Does It WorkIntense tantrums, aggression, and self-injury are some of the most worrying symptoms associated with autism. These behaviors are usually addressed with therapy, but doctors may decide that medication is needed. Risperidone is an antipsychotic sometimes prescribed to children with autism spectrum disorder . Lets explore what this drug does and whether its effective for kids on the spectrum. Medical Marijuana For AutismCannabis is prescribed as a treatment for autism in 14 states. Is it the wonder drug patients and families have been waiting for? CLINICAL REFLECTIONS Although the research on and autism spectrum disorders is in its infancy, there has been much controversy and confusion. Over the years, more patients and their families are seeking guidance from doctors on using cannabis to alleviate symptoms. From preventing seizures to calming aggression, a slow trickle of research is suggesting that cannabidiol , a component of cannabis, may be the wonder drug families have been searching for. But does it hold up to this standard? Should we be recommending it to patients? How do we weigh the benefits and the risks? Unfortunately, many clinicians lack adequate training on the subject, making them unprepared to have a meaningful discussion with patients and families. Efforts to advance research have been limited for technical and logistical reasons, often leaving doctors with just as many questions as patients. Cannabis: An Overview Used recreationally, it produces a high or mind-altering effect when smoked or consumed. It is also used therapeutically. The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines medical cannabis as using the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions.1 THC and CBD are 2 cannabinoids found in cannabis that have particular clinical importance.3 The Challenges of Autism The Case for and Against Read Also: Best Dog Breed For Autistic Child Complementary And Alternative Medicine TreatmentsTo relieve the symptoms of ASD, some parents and healthcare professionals use treatments that are outside of what is typically recommended by pediatricians. These treatments are known as complementary and alternative medicine treatments. CAM treatments refer to products or services that are used in addition to or instead of traditional medicine. They might include special diets, dietary supplementsexternal icon, chelation , biologicals , or mind-body medicine . Many of these treatments have not been studied for effectiveness moreover, a review of studies on chelation found some evidence of harm and no evidence to indicate it is effective in treating children with ASD . Current research shows that as many as one-third of parents of children with ASD may have tried CAM treatments, and up to 10% may be using a potentially dangerous treatment . Before starting such a treatment, talk to your childs doctor. To learn more about CAM therapies for ASD, go to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicines Autismexternal icon webpage. The FDA has information about potentially dangerous treatments hereexternal icon. How To Find A Functional Medicine Doctor
Treat Autism – The Methylation Impairment with Autistic Children – Dr. Sonya Doherty
We wish we could say that doctors with this specialized training are located in every city and town throughout the United States. Like most specialists, convenient access to a trained and experienced functional medicine provider depends largely on where you live. As a result, many families travel to see their childs doctor. Below are some tried and true ways to find a doctor who can help your child:
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