While there are great options for autism treatment in Miami, that doesn’t apply to every single option. Many websites have information on unproven treatments that may or may not work for parents with children who have autism. These same treatments can be circulated in the media or through word of mouth. The problem with these treatment options is that most have not gone through extensive research, so there’s no way to be sure that these options work.
What to Watch for with Autism Therapy
There are several things that you should watch for when choosing autism treatment in Miami. Be cautious about any treatment that fits any of the factors below:
- The treatment option is based on an oversimplification of scientific theories
- Controlled scientific research is noted as being unneeded since the therapy has no side effects or risks
- There are no identified target behaviors or treatment goals
- The treatment is supposed to work for more than a single condition
- The only research currently available is based on anecdotal evidence rather than scientific research
- The therapy is supposed to create miraculous and dramatic results
Non-Effective Autism Treatments to Watch For
It would be impossible to mention every autism treatment in Miami that hasn’t been proven to work, but some are more common than others. A few of the treatments that are often seen online which you should be wary about include:
- Facilitated Communication – This is a treatment option where a keyboard is used to assist with communication. It isn’t helpful and can even be harmful in some cases.
- Nutritional Supplements – Some studies claim that giving children with autism large amounts of magnesium and vitamin B6 can help improve autistic behavior. However, reviewing these studies show that they do not have a scientific design and do not utilize control groups.
- Auditory Integration Training – This therapy is based on the theory that autism can be caused by hearing problems that result in oversensitivity to noise or distorted sound. This treatment is unfounded and focuses on delivering music through special devices.
- Restrictive Diets – Removing gluten and milk from a child’s diet is based on the belief that digestive disorders cause autism. Parents of children with food intolerance or allergies are most likely to try this diet. However, food sensitivity is not proven to be more common in children with autism than those without.
- Chelation Therapy – The idea behind this therapy is that mercury exposure needs to autism, and medications need to eliminate the toxins. Children who have autism often have unusual diets or cravings for non-food items that might contain mercury. This means that mercury exposure is an effect of autism rather than a cause.
Scientific Autism Treatment in Miami That Works
Rather than focusing on therapy and treatments that aren’t proven to work, parents are better off choosing scientifically based treatments. ABA (applied behavior analysis) is the most well-known and appropriate for setting a child going to autism therapy up for success. Make sure you research before embarking on any other treatments, especially when the science isn’t there.
