Traditional treatments for autism have mostly focused on psychiatric drugs in attempts to calm and control behavior or improve focus. Parents were told by physicians that there was really no way to improve the condition itself.
That attitude gradually started to change when Dr. Bernard Rimland came on the scene. More than 45 years ago, Dr. Rimland pioneered new research to explore nutritional supplements for autism. He also began to examine biochemical, or underlying physical causes, for autism. He also advised the medical community that many of the medications used for autism were not only inadequate, but they had significant negative consequences and a better, safer approach was needed. Other researchers followed his lead, and autism is now considered to be “treatable.”
In addition, the autism community has advanced treatment options with the use of behavioral interventions, such as applied behavior analysis, speech therapy, social interventions, sensory integration therapy, physical and occupational therapy, and targeted learning techniques.
Dietary, nutritional, and biomedical therapy is of particular interest to many families. The use of suitable nutrients and specialized diets have helped thousands of people. As research continues to delve into these areas, a summary paper through the Autism Research Institute is helpful in sorting out different approaches that currently show promise to treat autism without the use of toxic medications. See our article: Summary of Dietary, Nutritional and Medical Treatments for Autism.
Families often need to seek out physicians who are familiar with a biomedical approach to autism. These practitioners have a background in assessment and treatment of imbalances in the body, and they understand different dietary approaches that might be beneficial.
Related articles are shown below. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can search using the box at the upper right of the page or browse our forums.
Majid Ali, MD A simple model is presented for understanding the spectrum of Attention Deficit Disorder/Hyperactivity, learning disability, obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism, and Tourette syndrome. In this model, the focus is on developmental and acquired problems […]
Bernard Rimland, PhD Many alarmed families contacted the Autism Research Institute following a highly publicized report from the University of Michigan Medical School that warned about the supposed “dangers” of taking vitamin B6. The authors […]
Bernard Rimland, PhD Tips and Overview Patients and Families Much of the current interest in megavitamin B6 therapy for autistic children stems from the publication of our report (Autism Research Institute) in the American Journal […]
Melvin Kaplan, OD Director, Center for Visual Management In the twentieth century, more than ever before, large numbers of people have been traumatized by eyestrain. Eyestrain is often overlooked as a causative factor for many […]
William G. Crook, MD An interview by Sheila Rogers, Director of ACN, on Hyperactivity and the Yeast Connection Dr. Crook, your book Help for the Hyperactive Child has been very popular. Could you give some […]
Sidney Baker, MD Interview by Sheila Rogers DeMare: Countless people have benefited from the understanding that autism is a medical condition that can be treated. But in 1996, when this interview took place, this was a […]