Medication

No drug can cure autism or other PDDs. Certain medications may be prescribed to treat the symptoms of the consequences of autism.

benefits antipsychotics such as Risperidone (Risperdal) or Aripripazole (Abifiy)15 are usually used in cases of schizophrenia8. In children with PDD, they can reduce irritability, aggression, self-harm or anger. They can also help control severe behavioral disorders.

benefits Antidepressants (Prozac, Zoloft) can be used to control anxiety or depression and sometimes prescribed to reduce repetitive behavior. Some antidepressants can help control aggression.

Some psychostimulants methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta), used for attention deficit disorders are sometimes used successfully in some children with autism to reduce impulsivity or hyperactivity15. However, some children do not respond well to treatment and side effects should be considered.

No to secretin

First a source of hope as an alternative treatment, recent studies13 have shown that secretin does not present no effect on autism symptoms. A study dating from 199814 had shown that this hormone produced by the lining of the duodenum, administered to certain autistic children, could improve gastrointestinal functions, quality of sleep, language and certain learning. This new scientific evidence puts an end to further research on this hormone, the quality and composition of which have been shown to be doubtful, as well as certain undesirable side effects.

Diet 

People with PDD often have intestinal disorders or a chronic gastrointestinal inflammation. The body would therefore absorb certain essential nutrients less well. According to some researchers, the majority of children with PDD also have immune system disorders; they therefore react differently to viruses, toxins or certain foods.

Several diets have been suggested as a possible treatment for autism, for example restriction of food allergens, diet gluten and casein free (a milk protein), vitamin supplements such as vitamin B6 and B12, a yeast-free diet, a diet rich in probiotics. More research is needed to confirm that a specific diet could have significant effects on symptoms of autism.

Le protocole Defeat Autism Now! (DAN) – which means Beat Autism Now! – is an alternative medical approach developed by l’Autism Research Institute to help physicians diagnose and treat autistic patients. This protocol requires you to follow a diet free of gluten, casein, junk food or other products containing refined sugars, and the addition of many dietary supplements. Treatments also aim to neutralize the toxic effects of certain substances in the body, in particular heavy metal chelation therapy (to remove toxic agents such as mercury).