Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Although people are becoming more aware of the existence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is still vital to describe what it is, as misconceptions prevail. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a very common neurocognitive disorder (approximately one out of every 68 children is considered to be affected) with two primary groups of symptoms: difficulty in speaking and interacting in social environments, and repetitive and limited behavior tendencies. Autism Spectrum Disorder is regarded as a "spectrum" disorder because people with the illness vary widely in terms of how serious their symptoms are and how they affect their daily lives. Towards the more severe end of the spectrum, a few people with Autism Spectrum Disorder are entirely nonverbal and consider it extremely difficult to have regular relationships with those around them, whereas at the less severe end of the spectrum, there are several extremely successful people struggling in social situations. Though some individuals with ASD have learning disabilities, others have excellent levels of academic aptitude.
Since ASD symptoms appear in early childhood, those with milder forms of the disorder are not generally identified until maturity, by which point they have generally evolved a variety of coping techniques on their own. Nevertheless, many of them struggle to cope with developing or maintaining friendships, romantic relationships, and a variety of social situations. Other conditions, such as anxiety disorder, can affect people with ASD.
Although, it is never too late to detect ASD and begin improving a patient's quality of life - the earlier the diagnosis, the better. A well qualified professional can provide a valid assessment of kids as young as 2. A psychologist will use one or more variety of tests to assess a child or an adult, such as the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale or the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised test, which (in the context of children) includes a detailed discussion with the child's parents concerning their child's behavior and early childhood development.
Although ASD is not curable, there are numerous treatments available to help patients lessen the condition's impact on their lives. Speech and language treatment, social skills training, and occupational therapy combined can make a significant difference. When the patient is a kid, parents might be given unique ways to assist their child in developing social skills. Many parents are obviously concerned when they discover that their kid has ASD; part of our therapeutic approach includes assisting the entire family in adapting to the condition and realizing that, with the appropriate care, their child can have a really successful future.
What Does The Manor Clinic Have to Offer Autistic Patients?
First and foremost, we can deliver an accurate diagnosis in both children and adults. To offer a precise evaluation, our therapists adopt proven, efficient psychometric screening tools in conjunction with a clinical interview. We use the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale for diagnosis, which is among the most commonly used and recognized methods for measuring autism. The complete diagnosis takes about two hours and is quite thorough. If autism is identified, we will prescribe a treatment plan that is tailored to the patient's specific needs.
ASD diagnosis, whether for yourself or your child, can be frightening, but knowing the disorder and implementing a plan of care will make a significant impact. The more we identify you or your child's condition, the simpler it will be for us to devise a strategy for treating it as successfully as possible. Many people feel relieved when the problems they have been dealing with for a long period of time are properly diagnosed.
We provide cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, emotional regulation and impulse control, as well as practical assistance and counseling to children and adults with ASD. A specific combination of these treatments helps individuals with ASD comprehend and interact with others better by assisting them in understanding how others view and interpret the world, as well as how they behave.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment
For further infromation regarding ASD assessments, please refer to the Autism tab under Assessments.