Therapies for Autism: Harmful or Helpful?

Today there are many therapies out that are being used to treat autism. Many may even claim that these therapies have "cured" their child of autism. What many don't understand is that autism isn't something that can be cured. Symptoms of autism can be controlled but they never go away. Many parents are want so much to believe in everything they hear and read without first doing in dept research. What most of them don't know is that none of these therapies have any scientific evidence to back them up.

New therapies out there being used to treat autism is chelation therapy, B12 shots, and medications. Most of these therapies have serious side effects some even resulting in deaths.

Chelation Therapy

Chelation therapy is a new therapy being used to treat children with autism. This therapy involves using chelating agents to get rid of heavy metals in the body. This is usually done by injections. Mercury is believed to be one of the main heavy metal toxins that cause a child to be autistic. It is believed that if this metal is removed, then the balance is restored in the child, and the child can be cured from autism. What parents don't know is that this has side effects like vomiting, stomach cramps, and pain in joints and muscles. There has also been two deaths associated with this form of therapy.

B12 shots

Many believe that vitamin b12 shots are another form of therapy. There has been no scientific evidence either that this works. Many children with autism have been shown to have certain vitamin deficiencies, b 12 being one of them. It is thought that if a child is given the b 12 shot injection then this will help improve autism symptoms. Some reports showed some improvements in some children with autism while no changes in others were reported. What might help one child won't help with every child because no child is alike.

Medications

There are medications out there that will treat the ADHD side of autism. These medications help with focusing and staying on task through out the day. They aren't, however, a cure for autism. Some of the medications used to treat the ADHD side of autism are Aderall, Focallin, Strattera, and a new skin patch called Daytrana. These medications have numerous side effects like stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Often times blood tests have to be taken with these medications to check liver enzymes.

Conclusion

I know many want that miracle cure for their child struggling with autism. I know cause I am the parent of an autistic child, too. I've researched and talk with many doctors and specialist and all say the same thing, there is no scientific data that supports any of the two first therapies and second you can't always believe what you see and watch on the internet. Research and talk to specialist before any type of therapy is to be done on your child. Know the risks and side effects and last find scientific proof that these therapies actually work.