Autistic disorder is characterized by abnormal social and language development, as well as repetitive behaviors. Some patients are sensitive to such sensory stimuli as light or sounds, while others may be aggressive toward themselves or other people. Autistic disorder cannot be cured, but many of its symptoms can be managed with the help of behavioral modification as well as speech- and occupational therapy. Whatever methods are used, they should also be taught to the caretakers of the autistic teenager. This way, the way the autistic patient is treated at home does not conflict with his treatments during therapy sessions.
Behavioral Modification
Behavioral modification methods are commonly used for autistic people of all ages. Behavioral training applies rewards to increase the use of language, social behavior, and other types of behaviors that the caretakers wish to encourage. Punishments and removal of rewards are used to try to diminish the kind of behavior that is not advantageous for the patient or for the environment, such as violence or antisocial behavior. Many types of behavioral methods are available. Among the most well-known ones are applied behavioral analysis and sensory integration.
Speech Therapy
Language related problems are common among autistic individuals. The goal of speech therapy in autistic people is to improve the communication abilities of an autistic person. According to the National Autism Resources, this could be done, for example, by using oral motor techniques to teach the patient how certain speech sounds are formed. Typically developing infants learn to form speech sounds by imitating other people. Since autistic patients do not typically socialize much with other people, they may not have a clear idea of how certain speech sounds are formed or how they should sound like. If a teenager does not have any spoken language skills, such tools as picture boards or sign language could be used to help him communicate with others. Since these are typically much easier communication methods than the use of spoken language, they should only be used as a last resort because they are likely to decrease the use of spoken language.
Occupational Therapy
According to EverydayHealth.com, occupational therapy can be used to teach a teenager with autistic disorder the skills that he needs to function at home and at school or work. For example, many autistic people are sensitive to lights or sounds. Occupational therapy can be used to help the patient with his hypersensitivity problems. It can also help the patient with handwriting and teach him how to use simple things, like scissors or pens. The person with autism can also be taught such everyday skills as how to get dressed, or use the toilet. High functioning teenagers can also benefit from learning different working place skills, such as how to use a copy machine or a computer.
Medication
Autistic teenagers often suffer from different mental and behavioral problems such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. These can be helped with medication. Autistic people also commonly suffer from sleep disorders, such as insomnia. Special care should be taken when selecting medication, especially when an adolescent suffers from several different problems. For example, sleep related problems could be solved by creating a daily routine instead of using medicine.
Parental Training
The treatment of an autistic teenager should not focus on the patient alone. It is important to offer guidance and support to the parents and caretakers of the patient as well. For example, behavioral modification methods are not going to be successful unless parents know how to apply them at home.
