Treatments for Autism

Question 1

what is the first treatment for autism

Answer 1

CBT

Question 2

what are the features of CBT for Autism

Answer 2

• the therapist helps the child recognise faulty cognition, this can be useful for children with anxiety as a symptom of their autism
• those with autism often have difficulty recognising emotions or abstract thought so visual cues and repetition are used. e.g. a picture of a thermometer to rate anxiety levels.
• the child can be set work to do outside, such as socialise to hope that this will boost self esteem.

Question 3

what are strengths of CBT for children with autism

Answer 3

• research shows that children following a brief intervention with CBT had less anxiety
• improvements made by children in CBT were upheld for over three moths by reassessment
• does not carry side effects

Question 4

what are weaknesses of CBT for children with autism

Answer 4

• CBT requires children to talk to therapist and express emotions which not all children with autism can no. this makes the therapy inaccessible to many children.