Autism - Signs, Symptoms, Treatments, Resources, Support for Autism

As with any illness, disease, or disorder, there are a number of medicine options available to help control these symptoms. It is important to remember that none of these medications will "cure" autism; they simply help control some of the effects of the disorder. There are advantages and disadvantages to each drug, as they all have side effects as well as benefits. When choosing medicines to effectively treat autism, your doctor can make recommendations, but since autism is a disorder which varies from person to person, you should use drugs very carefully, watching to see how the body reacts to the treatments. First, consider the safety of the drug. Some cannot be used in children or in people under a certain weight. Make sure the dosage is easy to understand and before you choose one medicine or another find out how it is administered (pills, injections, liquid, etc). This is important if you are not comfortable with certain methods, such as injecting yourself or your chi...

One of the often used methods to treat Autism is medication. After all, it is usually the cheaper and more convenient alternative to other available treatment methods. With any medication, it’s important to make yourself aware of side effects. Many parents consider any side effects to be minor as compared to the symptoms their children are currently facing. Some professionals have the opinion that medications don’t “cure” anything. They merely conceal and minimize symptoms. Even so, many look to medications as a temporary relief from troublesome side effects including self-injurious behavior. The medications that are used to treat autism are Neuroleptics or “major tranquilizers”. These should not be confused with “minor tranquilizers” such as Valium and Xanax which are often prescribed to treat anxiety. Unlike minor tranqulizers, neuroleptics regulate the use of dopamine in the brain and often helps with autistic symptoms such as self-injury and obsessive, repetitive behaviors. Whe...