The success of treatment in autistic disorders is crucial. We look at high quality studies that are designed to determine real change and that make a difference the core symptoms of autistic disorders: social-communication skills, academic learning, and repetitive behaviours. We look at studies of behavioural treatments, drug treatments, and educational interventions. The one characteristic of the studies we write about is that they all have a comparison group.

Alternative Therapies

Tomatis Sound Therapy not shown effective in improving language skills in ASD kids ...more

Alternative medicine - Who's using it?
What percentage of children newly diagnosed with autism have received complementary or alternative medical treatments? ... more

Guidelines for assessing and treating autism spectrum disorder
Recommendations designed to help clinicians and families ensure best practices ... more

Gluten-free/Casein-free Diet
Lack of good research means little evidence to support gluten-free, casein-free diets ... more

The gluten-free, casein-free diet
Can eliminating gluten and casein improve autistic symptoms?... more

Auditory Integration (Treatment)
Music therapy – is there any evidence that it works? ... more

Vitamin B-6 - Is there any evidence it works?
Do Vitamin B6 and magnesium supplements improve behaviour and social ... more

Can secretin have a positive effect on children with autism?
Does the use of secretin result in measurable improvements ... more

Behavioural Intervention/Therapy

How does community-based early intensive behavior intervention compare to community preschool?...more

CBT helps kids with Asperger Syndrome manage their anger ...more

Stop problem behaviours by eliminating the trigger
How effective are different behavioural interventions for children ... more

School-based ABA - Does it work for older children?
Do 4- to 7-year-old children make significant gains after one year in a ... more

Communication

Teacher training helps children with ASD use the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) ...more

Interventions shown to improve communications skills in pre-schoolers
with ASD ...more

Getting kids to communicate: Which treatments are most effective?
Highlights from a review of communication intervention strategies ... more

Computers help improve recognition of facial expressions
Is a computer-based program designed to test for and teach facial ... more

Medications

Medications can help with ASD symptoms and problem behaviours ...more

Stimulants may be effective in treating children who have both ASD and ADHD ... more

Study looks at why kids on risperidone gain weight ... more

"Real-life" study supports risperidone as an effective treatment for symptoms of aggression... more

Study shows behaviours of concern to parents can be reliably detected and treated... more

The case for risperidone
Is Risperidone safe and effective in the treatment of serious behaviour ... more

Systematic Review of Antipsychotic Drugs
Can "new generation" antipsychotic drugs help children with ASD? ... more

Parents

Parent training helps improve kids' language skills
Does parent training improve joint attention and joint action in pre-school ... more

How good is treatment carried out by parents?
How effective in producing positive parent and child outcomes are ... more

Other

Supported employment programs increase skills and knowledge in adults with autism ... more

Supported employment services help adults with Aspergers find and keep jobs.
... more

Guidelines for assessing and treating autism spectrum disorder
Recommendations designed to help clinicians and families ensure best practices ... more

Skill Development - What works? What doesn't?
This is a summary of the findings of the Committee on Educational ... more