Health encyclopaedia

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Treatment of Autism

Many affected children respond to concentrated educational training. The method is based on reward for achieving appropriate behaviour and can be successful to the extent that they can attend mainstream schools. People with Asperger’s syndrome can be greatly helped by special training in social skills. All can benefit from education and training tailored to their needs, and the earlier this is started, the better.

In some cases, drugs of the Prozac group (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) have been found helpful in controlling destructive and aggressive behaviour. SSRIs should not generally be prescribed to under 18s, but fluoxetine (Prozac) can be prescribed if specialist advice is sought.

Parents may need plenty of help and support, and can benefit from skilled and knowledgeable counselling to help them to overcome the effects of autism in their child.

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