If you are caring for a child with autism, you may be overwhelmed by all of the advice you’ve received. From the ins and outs of diets for children with autism to various types of behavioral therapy, determining the right path for you and your family can be incredibly challenging. To help clear up some of the murkiness surrounding autism support and intervention, the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders (NPDC) has put together a comprehensive set of guidelines based on established methods of treatment that have been backed by years of research.
According to a press release from the University of North Carolina’s Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, which led the endeavor, the report only includes long-standing treatment methods, and does not go into relatively new breakthroughs. This, the researchers explained, is due to a lack of evidence about long-term effects in some cases.
“Applying more stringent criteria, the NPDC’s new report drops one evidence-based practice from the 24 identified in its 2008 review,” the source states. “After considering more studies this time, scientists also renamed and broadened one category, ‘technology-aided instruction’ and added five more, including ‘exercise’ and ‘structured play groups.'”
The guidelines, which you can view here, are intended to act as a resource for healthcare professionals and families who are trying to determine the right approach to support their loved one’s needs. In addition to various forms of behavioral therapy, the report also features studies on autism and nutrition, including the potential benefits of gluten-free meals and other special diets.