There is no known cure for autism. Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about huge improvements. The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions. It targets the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. Most health care professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better the outcome. This is largely why there are state-wide early intervention programs. Following are some general treatment options:

• Educational/behavioral interventions: Therapists use highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training sessions. These sessions assist children develop social and language skills. Therapy may include occupational, speech, and physical. Others may also be needed.
• Family counseling is also recommended for the parents/caregivers and siblings of children with autism. It helps families to cope with the unique challenges of living with and/or interacting with children who are on the autism spectrum.
• Medications: Doctors often prescribe an antidepressant medication to address symptoms of depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Seizures are usually treated with one or more of the anticonvulsant drugs. And, anti-psychotic medications are used to treat severe behavioral problems. Stimulant drugs, such as those used for children with attention deficit disorder (ADD), are often prescribed effectively to assist in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Other therapies: There are a number of controversial therapies or interventions available for children who have autism. Parents and caregivers should use caution prior to adopting any of these treatments as many are not yet supported by established medical organizations. Here are a few of the various options:

o Biomedical - DAN doctors (Defeat Autism Now), They treat with special diets such as the Gluten Free Casein Free diet, supplements, and other alternative techniques.

o RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) program. The program is parent-centered, and, according to the literature, is intended to help lay missing pathways in the brain.

o Yoga - Some claim that yoga can improve a number of symptoms often experienced by people with autism. While yoga can improve strength and lower anxiety, proponents of yoga claim, it can also help children (and presumably adults) with autism enhance flexibility, reduce sensory defensiveness, and generally feel better in their own bodies.

o Weighted Blankets - These blankets have been very useful to many children with autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorder, anxiety disorder and for insomnia. They have helped persons who have ADHD, ADD, PDD-NOS, Sensory Integration Disorder and those that have other Sensory challenges. Some psychologists have recommended weighted blankets to help with sleep problems.

o Priobotics - This approach hinges on addressing issues in the digestive tract. Jenny McCarthy incorporated the Global Health Trax^TM (GHT) flagship specialty probiotic product, ThreeLac^TM, into her autistic son's nutritional regimen and shared her experience in her recently published book Louder than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism.