Common Autism Treatments
and How MeRT May Make Them More Effective
Autism Spectrum Disorder is individual, with each person having a distinct set of strengths and challenges.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition. It involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors.
The range and severity of autism symptoms can vary widely. Each child with ASD is unique, so autism treatments should be tailored to meet individual needs.
Per the National Institutes of Health: “There is currently no one standard treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). But there are many ways to help minimize the symptoms and maximize abilities. People who have ASD have the best chance of using all of their abilities and skills if they receive appropriate therapies and interventions.”
Many therapies and treatments exist to treat ASD. And MeRT can be used along with each of them, often improving their effectiveness.
Common Autism Treatments
While there is no cure for ASD, various treatments can help manage symptoms, improve skills, and increase the ability to function. Here are some of the common treatments:
Behavioral and Communication Approaches:
- ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis): A widely used therapy for ASD, ABA uses techniques to reinforce desirable behaviors and reduce unwanted behaviors. It helps improve social skills, communication, and learning.
- TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-handicapped Children): TEACCH uses visual cues to teach skills. For instance, picture cards can help teach a child how to get dressed by breaking information down into small steps.
- Speech Therapy: Speech therapy helps to improve communication skills. It can include training in using picture symbols, sign language, or speech.
Developmental Approaches:
- Occupational Therapy: This therapy helps to improve life skills like dressing, eating, bathing, and relating to people.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy helps to improve motor skills and strength and to reduce sensory issues that might be a part of ASD.
Social/Relational Approaches:
- DIR/Floortime (Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-Based Approach): This method focuses on emotional and relational development (feelings and relationships). It involves meeting children at their developmental level and building upon their strengths.
- Social Skills Training: This involves teaching children how to interact more effectively with others and is often taught in a group setting.
Other Approaches:
- Diet: Some people with ASD may have food sensitivities or allergies, leading to the use of gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF), and other diets.
- Medication: While medications can’t cure ASD, certain medications can help control symptoms. For instance, antipsychotic drugs are sometimes used to treat severe behavioral problems, and antidepressants may be prescribed for anxiety.
- Specialized Therapies: Some children with ASD may benefit from other interventions, such as music therapy, art therapy, or animal therapy, which can enhance communication and social interaction skills.
Autism Treatment with MeRT
Standard therapies such as the above are all effective. However, these therapies are all diagnosis-based, meaning you diagnose a cluster of symptoms and treat that diagnosis with either therapy, education, medication, or a combination of them.
MeRT is a different way to approach ASD. It’s a non-invasive form of electromagnetic stimulation based on sophisticated brain mapping using a qEEG.
Instead of diagnosing symptoms, we look at the brain to find areas of brainwave disruption that may cause those symptoms. We then target those areas to see if we can change how the brain is functioning. We aim to improve communication, behavioral, and cognitive functions by normalizing brainwave patterns.
By improving brain communication and function, a person with ASD can see symptom improvement where there may have been no or little improvement before. Not only that, but they can also get better results from other forms of therapy after MeRT treatment.
How MeRT May Help Other Autism Treatments Be More Effective
MeRT is personalized based on the individual’s unique brain patterns and may be used alongside other therapies to enhance their effectiveness. Here’s how MeRT could complement the various treatments for ASD:
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): MeRT can enhance brain plasticity and responsiveness. This can make a child more receptive to ABA techniques and improve learning outcomes.
- DIR/Floortime: MeRT might enhance a child’s ability to engage in emotional and relational interactions, complementing the goals of Floortime.
- TEACCH: Enhanced neural functioning from MeRT might improve a child’s ability to process visual cues and instructions. This can make TEACCH strategies more effective.
- Dietary Approaches: While MeRT does not directly impact dietary sensitivities or allergies, improved brain function and reduced symptoms might indirectly support better overall health and wellness.
- Medication: MeRT can enhance overall neurological function, which may lead to a reduced need for medications or an increase in their effectiveness.
- Occupational Therapy: Improved motor skills and sensory processing from MeRT could enhance the effectiveness of occupational therapy. This can make it easier for individuals with ASD to learn and apply new skills.
- Speech Therapy: By potentially improving neural connectivity in areas of the brain responsible for language and communication, MeRT might enhance the effectiveness of speech therapy.
- Physical Therapy: Improved neural communication and motor function from MeRT could complement physical therapy by enhancing coordination and muscle control.
- Social Skills Training: MeRT might improve aspects of brain function that are critical for social interaction. This can make social skills training more effective.
- Specialized Therapies (Music, Art, Animal Therapy): Enhanced sensory processing and emotional responsiveness from MeRT could make these therapies more impactful.
MeRT may help your child get even more out of other autism treatments and therapies!
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