Autism Therapy

The word 'autism' comes directly from the Modern Latin word of 'autismus'. It was when the Swiss born psychiatrist by the name of Eugen Bleuler was attempting to define the symptoms of schizophrenia in 1910 that this phrase came about. Eugen Bleuler used the word 'autos' because of the meaning 'self'. Autism Therapy was about to begin its evolution to its present form. The psychiatrist used the word 'autos' to describe self-admiration. This description was the beginning of understanding Autism Therapy in its modern sense.

The type of self-admiration that the psychiatrist meant was the autistic withdrawal of the patient to his own fantasies and rejecting any type of interruption as intolerable. Modern Autism Therapy attempts to make the autistic child more comfortable in his or her surroundings. It was in 1943 that another Viennese professional by the name of Leo Kanner coined the label 'early infantile autism' and it was ever since then that autism and Autism Therapy had its modern meaning. It was during the time that Leo Kanner spent at the John Hopkins Hospital that he noticed that eleven of the children had obviously similar behavior.

Autism had been a confused term up until the latter part of the 1960's. From then on it was established as a separate syndrome from schizophrenia, mental retardation and other types of developmental disorders. It became very important to include the parents of an autistic child in active programs of autism therapy. It had also become apparent that Autism Therapy would be required for life. The reason for this was because this particular syndrome would continue throughout the autistic individual's lifetime. There are individuals within this community that are hoping for a cure and there are those who think that autism is not a disorder but a condition or 'another way of being'.

The characteristics of autism are exhibited in individuals before the age of three years is reached. The child displays repetitive and restricted behavior and there is a noticeable and obvious impairment in the child's social interaction. The earlier a child and his or her parents begin with Autism Therapy the better for the autistic child. The parents would need ongoing assistance and counseling as autism would provide many challenges for the family unit. It is for this reason that Autism Therapy should include the family as a unit in order for them to understand as much as possible about the potential of the autistic individual.

It is generally believed that it is best to adapt Autism Therapy to suit the individual's needs. In order for the autistic child to gain some job skills, self-care and social skills - intensive Autism Therapy would have to begin at a very young age. One method of Autism Therapy is to use one on one teaching that is founded on response and reward. A great number of children in fact about half of all children diagnosed with autism in the United States are also treated with a variety of drugs. Networks of families with autistic individuals have been established and provide advice as well as emotional support and friendship to one another.