Unscientific therapies doing rounds as autism treatment: Doctor explains

It's only been a while since many of us started understanding that Autism is not a disease, and it's just a neurodevelopmental disorder. Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) includes a range of characteristics and conditions in various intensities, which also means autistic people need different levels of support, face varied challenges (that's why it's described as a spectrum).

As people are still taking baby steps in understanding autism, many fake therapies, misconceptions and confusions are also doing the rounds about its treatment. Dr U Vivek, Consultant Psychiatrist at Renai Medicity Hospital, Kochi, explains who needs medicine to handle autism, the unscientific therapies around us and how parents should be careful.

Cure for autism?
The doctor clarifies that there is no medicine to cure autism. "Only 5 per cent of autistic children are prescribed medicines, and often, this is to handle their behavioural symptoms or intolerance problems while at therapy. For example, Risperidone is prescribed to reduce behavioural issues, Valproate to reduce mood swings and Atomoxetine to improve attention. This is to help the therapy," he explains. 

Unscientific therapies
The doctor warns that many unscientific therapies are doing the rounds as treatment for autism. "To name a few, there is something called 'chelation therapy' that claims some heavy metal is responsible for the condition. 'Diet therapy,' another one, says the kids should avoid meat. Unfortunately, such dietary restrictions result in them getting malnourished. Stem cell therapy is also one of the other unscientific methods." Dr Vivek says all of these fake therapies cost lakhs of rupees; they waste precious treatment time and aggravate problems for people in the spectrum.

A credible programme for parents - Behavioural Therapy - is often advised by fake healers to children as well, Dr Vivek observes. "Behavioural Therapy is for parents to identify the kids' problems, behavioural issues and react appropriately. It gives guidance in things like the ABC technique (Antecedent-Behaviour-Consequence) that helps parents understand autistic children's behaviours. There is no point in making a child go through it for 45 minutes, like many centres do," Dr Vivek says.

He also advises staying away from many nutraceuticals (food-derived products that claim to give health benefits), which he calls unscientific supplements prescribed for autistic children.  

Parents should be cautious
As many children, parents and teachers struggle to understand autistic children, parents of kids with ASD should be cautious, alerts Dr Vivek. "Their repetitive behaviours and peculiarities can be challenging for others to understand. So, there is a chance they get bullied, physically or verbally assaulted," he explains.

Therefore, parents should take steps to alert other children and those around them to behave appropriately with an autistic child, the doctor explains.