The most important aspect of treatment is getting early help for patients and families. Early identification is the vital role played by most physicians. The needs of patient with autism are many and broad, too many to be supplied by just one individual provider.

While our emphasis is on early intervention and referral, the topics in this section outline an overview of treatment approaches for autism spectrum disorders.

Occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy may all be part of the comprehensive care of patients with autism. Help patients and families find these resources early.

This section also addresses some of the medications that are helpful with the medical conditions that can be associated with autism.

Finally, we do provide an outline of different alternative treatments that parents have tried. Many of these treatments are supported by only ancedotal evidence, but without a definitive medical solution to this complex condition, parents do search for their own answers.

Topics

• Working with Parents
  Parents are a vital source of early detection for developmental delays in their children (First Signs).

• A.L.A.R.M.
  This initiative developed by the AAP summarizes the principles of early detection and intervention in the acronym of A.L.A.R.M.

• Early Intervention
  Early intervention is not only a vital clinical goal, federal and local govementment provide resources and support for children with developmental delays (First Signs).

• Treatment Options
  Since there is no single best treatment package for all children with autism, here are some suggestions to help parents evaluate their options (NIMH).

• TEACCH
  TEACCH is one model of a structured, comprehensive treatment approach toward a person with autism (TEACCH).