How do you know if an autism therapy is scientifically backed?

Introduction

Parents always want the best for their children. However, parents of autistic individuals often fall victim to treatments without scientific backing. And it is not their fault. Such situations occur due to the lack of awareness. Most people are unaware of how to carry out background checks before opting for an intervention.

What is autism treatment supposed to be?

Autism is a neurodivergent disorder. It can have a wide range of impacts on the affected people. For example, someone might have issues communicating while another might not socialise.

However, it is important to remember that autism is not a disease. That's why it doesn't have a cure. The people with autism spectrum disorder have different interventions. These are just meant to improve the quality of life for such individuals.

For example, speech therapy can help autistic children learn to verbally express themselves.

Need for awareness about autism interventions

With the rise of fringe treatments, fake healthcare scams and unchecked internet articles - many families have become soft targets for unscientific autism interventions. This highlights the critical need for awareness and education about scientifically backed treatments. Understanding this involves evaluating the research supporting these interventions.

Here are some key characteristics of well-designed studies are:

• Comparable groups:
  To evaluate the new intervention, participants receiving it are compared with those undergoing a standard community intervention or no intervention at all. Make sure these comparison groups were similar to the treatment group in terms of age, gender distribution, diagnosis, level of functioning, and other relevant variables.

• Random allocation:
  Those in charge of the studies have randomly assigned participants to different groups to ensure fairness and minimize bias.

• Before-and-after testing:
  The study measured the participants' performance on a specific test before and after the intervention to assess changes. This is supposed to provide clear data on the intervention's effectiveness.

• Representative participants:
  Choose studies with appropriate participants that reflect the target population. For example, if the testing is being done for an intervention for toddlers with ASD - the test shouldn’t have used older children with different characteristics.

• Blinded study:
  Ensure the study mentions that neither the participants nor the researchers know who is getting the treatment. This is to avoid placebo or bias. It ensures the results are fairer and can be trusted.

• Sufficient sample size:
  When going through studies, ensure that they used enough participants. This makes the study’s results reliable and generalised. So the more participants, the more trusted the study.

Common evidence-based interventions

There are several evidence-based interventions known to benefit individuals with autism:

• Speech therapy:
  Speech therapy helps people with autism improve their speaking, understanding, and social skills. It's customised to fit each person's needs. It can lead to clear speech, improved language use, and overcome other communication challenges.

• Occupational therapy:
  Occupational therapy helps individuals with autism develop the skills needed for daily living. For example, dressing, eating, bathing and other self-care activities. It also focuses on fine motor skills, sensory integration, and play skills

• Social skills training:
  Social skills training involves teaching individuals with autism how to interact appropriately with peers and adults. This can include understanding social cues, initiating conversations, and developing friendships.

How to implement evidence-based practices

Autism interventions should be evidence-based. That means they must be well-tested and proven effective through scientific methods. Families should seek treatments that adhere to these research standards to ensure safety. Here are some things families must do before choosing interventions-

• Consultation with specialists
  A critical step in choosing the right treatment involves consulting with psychologists, or paediatric neurologists who specialise in ASD. Speaking with healthcare professionals who specialise in autism can provide guidance. It can also prevent the adoption of ineffective or harmful practices. They can provide informed recommendations based on the latest research.

• Parental education and support
  Occupational therapy helps individuals with autism develop the skills needed for daily living. For example, dressing, eating, bathing and other self-care activities. It also focuses on fine motor skills, sensory integration, and play skills.

Conclusion

The journey with autism is unique for every individual. It requires a thoughtful approach when choosing treatments and interventions. By ensuring your child receives scientifically backed methods, parents can effectively support their children's development and quality of life. A crucial part of this is consulting healthcare professionals specialising in ASD. Awareness and education are key in navigating the complexities of autism treatment to avoid unverified methods and embrace those that offer real, measurable improvements.

 Author: Puja Dutta | Training Academy Mentor