Patient Counseling for Autism Disease

Autism Developmental Disorders (ADDs) are most often characterized by problems with social communication. Prior to the most recent edition of the DSM-5, ASDs were identified as either autism, Asperger Syndrome or pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (usually abbreviated as PDD-NOS). Now autism is diagnosed on the basis of the severity of symptoms. People with autism can have both verbal and non verbal communication difficulties often coupled with repetitive type behaviors. Children start displaying autistic symptoms when they are very young but currently cannot be accurately diagnosed until they are 2-3 years of age. Often, it is not until the child is confronted with increasingly challenging social situations that parents notice that there is something wrong. Autism affects how information is processed in the brain although researches are yet to determine exactly how the mechanisms are affected. Intervention programs such as ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy and PRT (Pivotal Response therapy) have been shown to improve the outcomes of people who suffer autism. Psychological treatment programs can help improve the life a patient increasing the chances of them leading an independent life. Adults who suffer autism can, with the support of counseling, learn new skills. Treatment strategies include a combination of counseling directions and support services for carers. The disorder is often treated using multiple psychological and behavioral treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy, school-based therapies, behavioral management therapy, nutritional therapy, medication, physical therapy, social skills training, and speech-language therapy. Occupational therapy can assist in increasing the independence of patients through teaching basic living skills eg. bathing and buttoning up a shirt. Physical therapy exercises help patients to control body movements. Behavior modification is an effective form of patient counseling. This treatment can help patients to control various repetitive, inappropriate and aggressive behaviors, allowing them to display more normal social behavior. Behavior modification is based on rewarding correct behavior and ignoring bad behavior. This is the basis of ABA therapy. It is important to introduce an aspect of play therapy in session with children. Play therapy assists in the emotional development of the child and improves the adult-child interaction. Through the use of social stories, children with autism can develop their emotional understanding of other people’s feelings and perspectives. These stories will often help in understanding and coping with their own feelings too. http://www.autism-adhd.org.au