If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.

Autism, like other forms of neurodivergence, is not a disease that requires a cure.

Autistic people may require various levels of support and may have other diagnoses that require treatment.

Cropped shot of a psychologist writing notes during a therapeutic session with her patient

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Types of Therapy

Autistic people may benefit from psychotherapy services for trauma or comorbid mental health conditions.

Speech Therapy

Many autistic people struggle with verbal communication.

They might either communicate selectively or be completelynonspeaking.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy focuses on the motor skills of an autistic person.

Physical therapy helps to improve skills such as coordination and balance and even walking and sitting comfortably.

It is important to consider the autistic person’s needs and preferences when considering any intervention.

Some medications can help self-regulation and prevent unsafe behavior.

Risperidone

Risperidoneis FDA-approved to alleviate violent temper tantrums and aggressive and self-harm behaviors.

Aripripazole

Aripiprazoleis primarily used to treatirritabilityand can help autistic people who struggle with this.

An autistic person who struggles with these symptoms may talk to their prescriber about antidepressant medication for these symptoms.

These options should be considered with caution.

This approach promotes the false idea that autistic people need to be “cured.”

It has also been suggested that dietary changes can alleviate sensory issues and decrease meltdowns.

Some parents reported noticing positive changes when they changed their childrens diets.

That being said, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is important for the general well-being of any person.

It is important to find the right treatment options and support that help the individual live their best life.

Autistic Not Weird.Results and analysis of the Autistic Not Weird 2022 Autism Survey.

Flannery KA, Wisner-Carlson R.Autism and education.Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America.

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2017;139(6).