Although there is at present no healing possible autism, nor a single effective treatment for PDD, a variety of therapies and interventions can reduce symptoms and improve learning. Researches⁷ show that diagnosis and interventions before school age work better. As the brains of young children are still forming, a early intervention gives children a better chance to develop to their full potential and can make a big difference in the lives of many affected children. However, it is never too late to intervene and treatments will be beneficial regardless of the age of those diagnosed.

Because of the autism continuum, a wide range of supports may be needed. For example, some people need intensive help and constant supervision just to get through the day safely. Others only require special help to communicate or to facilitate their social integration. The ideal treatment plan is a combination of therapies and interventions adapted to each child. These programs and treatments are very numerous and their implementation varies greatly from country to country. Cultural variables (educational means, place of disability, ethical values), economic imperatives and the advancement of knowledge on autism are factors which partly explain these variations in care and the absence of an international consensus. .

Note: Various types of interventions can be effective in supporting people with autism. The main approaches are explained in this sheet, but it is not an exhaustive list.²¹.

Global intervention with behavioral reference

THEAnalysis applied to behavior or method Lovaas or ABA for Applied Behavior Analysis is one of the best documented therapies to date called (ABA). Its objective is to structure and to reinforce new learnings, such as learning to speak, play, interact with others and reduce inappropriate behaviors, such as anger or self-harm. Acquiring these skills eventually allows people with autism to achieve independence. The technique is however expensive and requires intense parental investment over several years. The child should be stimulated to 20 to 40 hours per week individually with a professional who has received the necessary training. Often, parents take ABA training to lead the treatment team and hire others to help them deliver treatment.

THEApplied Behavior Analysis (ABA). In 1987, Dr. Ivar Lovaas published the results of an experiment conducted at the University of California. For two years, 19 autistic children ranging in age from 35 to 41 months underwent intensive behavior intervention, 40 hours per week. In almost half of the cases, they noted such an improvement that autistic children did not stand out from other children and were able to lead satisfying lives afterwards. In the other half of the cases, most of the children treated made significant progress and a few saw little improvement.

Global intervention with developmental reference

The TEACCH method (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children) concerns the treatment and education of children with autism or with communication disabilities. Developed in California in the 1970s, it is based on the principle that adapt the learning environment to the autistic child and not the other way around. A lot of visual cues are used, for example, in a classroom, school materials are clearly identified so that students can access them independently.

Interventions focused on socialization

The Floor Time method ou RDI Relationship (Development Intervention Program) is a form of play therapy which takes into account the six stages of emotional development. Social exchange and emotional regulation capacities are stimulated through play. Children must go through these stages to be able to move on to further learning.

L’Early Start Denver Modelis game based and can start in children with autism as young as 18 months, at the first visible signs. The method combines individual sessions with a therapist, in a day care service (crèche) and at home. It aims to interest the child in activities and encourage him to communicate with others, especially with his parents.

The SCERTS model (Social Communication Emotional Regulation and Transactional Support) aims to improve the communicational and socio-emotional capacities of children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and associated communication disorders.

Intervention focused on language and communication

The PECS method (Picture Exchange Communication System) uses pictograms representing objects, people or actions from the daily life of the autistic child, accompanied by the word (s) corresponding to the illustration. This method helps to initiate language and aims to overcome certain social and communicational deficits.

Analytically inspired psychotherapy

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is often part of the care system in France. It consists in highlighting the unconscious meaning of a person’s words, actions, imaginary productions. This method is specified by the controlled interpretation of defense mechanisms (transfer, resistance, etc.) and by a dynamic of identifying processes. These therapies can be individual or group. With autistic children, nondirective psychoanalytic orientation play is often used.