Treatment of Children With Autism - Research Paper

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder mostly referred to as autism is a major health issue among children in the United States. The condition has been defined as a mental disability among children which is characterized by major communication, social and behavioral challenges. It is not that children with autism are different from other people. Rather, the difference comes about in the sense that people with autism may interact, communicate, behave or learn in a way that is different from the rest of the population (CDC). The prevalence rate of autism is 1.7 percent, translating into 1 in every 59 children. The new prevalence rate is an increase from what was recorded in 2016 whereby 1 in 68 children was diagnosed with autism (Ducharme). However, the rise in prevalence for 2017 does not necessarily suggest a surge in the cases of children. According to Ducharme, it is a result of better identification and reporting of cases of autism among minority groups, especially Blacks and Hispanics, who have historically had lower rates of screening and detection.

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Treatment of children with autism is more of behavioral interventions which are meant to help children deal with the symptoms. As of today, no known cure for autism exists. However, empirical research has suggested that offering early intervention treatment can enhance a child's development. It is advisable that interventions be initiated from as early as from birth to 3 years. This is a period where responses to the behavioral interventions are considered useful in impacting the kids in a manner that enables them to communicate, learn and interact positively in social settings (CDC). These methods are referred to as applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapies since they focus on behavior modification and have been accepted as the most effective evidence-based method of treating children with autism. However, controversy obtains regarding the use of ABA in treating autism. Proponents of this method argue that autism should be accepted as a way of life. Despite the strength of this claim, evidence from rigorous studies shows that autism is an adverse mental condition which requires medical interventions to enable the affected persons to lead a normal life.

Those who argue against ABA make a compelling argument against the current methods used to modify behaviors among children with autism. The premise for their argument is that autism does not interfere with the normal activities of the affected children as these children are capable of going about their daily activities without much difficulty. They contend that ABA is a harmful treatment method as it is anchored on a wrong behavioral premise regarding how children should behave in their early years of development. Given the nature of the foundation of ABA, this camp suggests that children with autism should not be subjected to behavioral treatments but allowed to live with symptoms of autism as an alternative way of life. To them, living with autism requires no treatment and provision of the same is lack of recognition of behaviors that do not reflect what is in the mainstream of human behavior and it is a cruel treatment (DeVita-Raeburn). Thus, 'cruelty' on children should not be accepted at all.

According to DeVita-Raeburn, teaching children to learn socially acceptable behaviors repetitively can be draining and it not only a tedious experience for the child but also makes the recipient child act like robots because they know little about what they are taught during therapy, especially in matters relating to speech. For instance, a child may say hello in the street but they may not understand what that means. As such, prescribing specific interventions is tantamount to forcing some to appear like the larger portion of society which is not necessarily the ideal manifestation of human behavior.

At the heart of the argument of treatment against autism is the emphasis given to autistic children as another rare expression of human behavior and not an anomaly in human behavior. This should be the case as these children live and act like other children in performing basic human functions. Reliable institutions have partly corroborated this argument. According to the CDC, the behaviors of children with autism are not abnormal from other people. It is only that such children socialize, learn, communicate, and behave in ways that are not conventional. Given this position, CDC underscores the view that autism may not be an abnormality after all. This implies that having autism is not an anomaly but a different way a child manifests behavior and cannot be regarded as inferior in this respect. Although such argument appears convincing, rigorous studies suggest that autism among children is a severe mental condition which requires deliberate interventions to enable the affected children live healthy lives.

One of the weaknesses of the argument against ABA treatment is that it is not based scientific inquiries into the effectiveness of ABA methods on the treatment of autism. Some of the fiercest critics of these methods are people who benefitted from ABA methods as children as evidenced in the composition of organizations such as Autistic Self Advocacy Network (DeVita-Raeburn). However, studies have shown time and again that ABA plays a critical part in modifying behaviors of children and adolescents into beneficial outcomes which in turn affects their personality positively and these methods have been accredited by the institutions that regulate evidence-based practices in the treatment of autism. Noteworthy, the US National Research Council (NRC) emphasizes that ABA methods have been recommended for interventions in the treatment of autism and these recommendations are based on available evidence on the efficacy of such interventions in treating children and adolescences. The council states that treatment recommendations are based on findings from rigorous scientific research (Foxx 821-22). A position taken by a reputable organization such as the NRC must be disputed with evidence. Since opponents of ABA methods offer little backing to their views, their claim that this approach is not necessary for autistic children cannot be accepted as valid from a scientific viewpoint.

Apart from the NRC, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has also seconded the use of ABA as a method of treatment for children with autism. NIMH has taken its position based on evidence from research that has been done regarding the efficacy of ABA in the treatment of autism. NIMH notes that among the various approaches available concerning the treatment of autism, ABA has become a method of choice for children living with autism (Terdal 4). Treatment for various medical condition in the country and other parts of the words are regulated by agencies with special mandate to ensure public safety is guaranteed in all medical procedures and therapies offered by health care providers. These institutions make extensive examination of the safety and efficacy treatment methods before recommending for their application as treatment interventions. Therefore, ABA's endorsement from a medical institution of such caliber indicates that the effectiveness of intervention has been proved to yield excellent results in the treatment of children with autism. The effectiveness ABA has also been endorsed by various medical agencies.

At the individual level, the application of ABA results in a significant positive impact on the social skills of children with autism symptoms. According to the study of Duncan and Klinger, children who were subjected to ABA as the treatment mechanism exhibit higher social skills as compared to those that have not been subjected to such interventions. The social skills develop in the group context as autism affects the ability of children to develop skills in social settings (175-76). Development of social skills is an essential development for children as it allows them to lead a productive life within the family, community or school. Autistic children experience a range of social difficulties when they interact with fellow and adults (Duncan and Klinger 175). For this reason, improvement of social skills equips children with the skills necessary to interact with others in various settings, an experience that is critical to their development. Thus, by advocating the withdrawal of ABA as an intervention that treats autistic children, it means that these children would be denied the opportunity to enhance their capacities to relate with others in the family, community or school. Such an outcome could be detrimental to their lives in the long run due to diminished social aspects of their personality.

Besides the social skills, application of ABA in the treatment of autistic children enhances their cognitive skills. Studies have shown there is a positive relationship between the use of ABA intervention on children and the development of higher levels of the ability to grasp concepts in an academic environment. In the study of Cohen, Amerine-Dickens, and Smith, the researchers found that children who were subjected to intensive ABA training methods demonstrated a higher-IQ compared to the group that was not subjected to the same interventions (145). Similarly, Dawson et al. conducted a randomized trial of toddlers to assess the impact of ABA on IQ and learning outcomes. The researchers found that toddlers who were treated with methods following ABA principles showed higher levels of IQ compared to those that received community intervention (17). More recently, Linstead et al. find that treatment intensity through ABA principles significantly enhances the learning outcomes of children due to an elevated performance of the executive function of the brain and development of cognitive skills (1234). These findings are consistent over the years and show how important IQ development is for children's ability to achieve academic progression in their lives.

ABA has been further found to contribute to increased levels of communications among children who have been diagnosed with autism. For instance, one study found that autistic children who have been subjected to intensive ABA interventions exhibit improved speech as compared to those who have not. The outcome is due to the ability of the learners to develop superior speech traits which are essential in fostering communication (Terdal 3). Communication serves various purposes, including passing information to peers and teachers to friends and families. Communication is also crucial in acquisition of human relations skills. Therefore, effective communication is not only imperative in school settings but also crucial in the daily interactions children with autism undergo each day. An intervention that is helpful to autistic children in improving their speech skills is a valuable medical tool that cannot be ignored.

Adding to the improved communication skills is the ability to assume adaptive behavior. As noted previously, children with autism are taught various skills relating to independent living and life skills. It is meant to reduce dependency on others to survive as well as minimize situations where affected children fail to acquire the social competencies needed for effective interactions with their peers and adults. Early intervention for children living with autism has a more impact on the ability of the child to develop adaptive behaviors than late interventions (Peters-Scheffer, Didden, Korzilius, and Sturmey 60-61). Developing adaptive behaviors allows children to lead an independent life in the sense that they require little supervision or assistance to go about their daily routines. Developing behaviors that change depending on the circumstances offers the affected children the opportunity to take advantage of situations they encounter in life for their be...