TREATMENT MODALITIES OF AUTISM reinforcements are devised for alternative behaviors, for example,
• PHARMACOTHERAPY is a valuable treatment for associated
symptoms like aggression, temper tantrums, self-injurious behavior,
hyperactivity and stereotypic behaviour. Some drugs that have
been used are risperdone, serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors,
clomipramine and lithium. Antiepileptic medication is used for
generalized seizures.
• BEHAVIORAL METHODS: Contingency management may control
some of the abnormal behavior of autistic children. The term
contingency management refers to a group of procedures based on
the principle that, if any behavior persists, certain of its
consequences are reinforcing it. If these consequences can be
altered, the behavior will change.
Contingency management has the following stages: • First the
behavior to be changed is defined, and another person (usually a
nurse, spouse or parent) is trained to record it;for example,
amother might count the number of times a child with learning
difficulties shouts loudly. • Second,the events that immediately
follow (and therefore are presumed to reinforce the behavior) are
identified; for example, the parents may pay attention to the child
when he shouts, but ignore him at other times. • Third,
being approved or earning points by refraining from shouting for an
agreed time. Staff or relatives are trained to provide the chosen
reinforcements immediately after the desired behavior, and to
withhold them at other times. • As treatment progresses, records
are kept of the frequency of the problem behaviors and of the
desired behaviors. • Although treatment is mainly concerned with
the consequences of behavior, attention is also given to changing
any events that might be provoking the behavior. For example, in a
psychiatric ward, the abnormal behavior of one child may be
provoked on each occasion by the actions of another child.
SPECIAL SCHOOLING: Most autistic children require special
schooling and older adolescents many need vocational training.
• COUNSELING AND SUPPORTIVE THERAPY: The family of an
autistic child needs considerable help to cope with the child's
behavior, which is often distressing.
• OTHERS: Development of a regular routine, positive
reinforcements to teach self-care skills, speech therapy or sign
language teaching, behavior techniques to encourage interpersonal
interactions.
NEHRU NURSING COLLEGE, VALLIOOR

LEAFLET ON
TREATMENT MODALITIES
OF
AUTISM

BY, R.SHUBHA
I YEAR M.Sc NURSING