People with autism expressed loneliness and a desire for better social interactions when they wrote about themselves.
The authors of this article read seven books written by people with autism about themselves (autobiographies). The book authors had a range of social communication skills; three of them used facilitated communication. The people with autism said that they were aware of their own social difficulties. They wrote moving passages about feeling lonely. They described how they tried to reach out to people, and sometimes failed. The authors of this article think that people with autism may very much want to make social connections, even if it seems like they are not interested during therapy. The article authors feel that therapists and parents should be aware that people with autism may have a strong desire to connect with others.
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What are alternative autism therapies?
Oct 4, 2006 by AnonymousMany parents are interested in alternative therapies for autism because they are seen as less invasive or more natural than traditional therapies. Alternative therapies can include both biologic and non-biologic treatments. Biologic treatments include herbs, foods, drugs, or supplements, including vitamin C. These treatments are usually meant to make the immune system, gut, and/or brain function better. Non-biologic alternative therapies include auditory integration training, behavioral optometry, craniosacral manipulation, and facilitated communication. Therapies are typically considered alternative if they are outside of evidence-based mainstream medical practice. Some parents choose alternative therapies not as an alternative to traditional medicine, but rather to complement traditional medicine.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has acknowledged that many parents of children with autism explore alternative therapies, and suggests that pediatricians learn more about the safety and effectiveness of the therapies selected (AAP Committe on Children with Disabilities, 2001). Read the report .