Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that the severity can range from low to severely high. More and more children are being diagnosed with autism every day. The causes are as yet undetermined, though some blame the use of mercury in immunizations, gluten allergies and vitamin deficiencies. There has even been research that shows a higher risk of autism if babies watch more than 15 minutes of television before the age of two. No one cause has been completely found. What we know now that we didn't know a few years ago is that autism may not be curable, but it is treatable- especially when it is diagnosed early on.

The warning signs of autism include, but are not limited to:

Speech difficulties - speech is delayed or a toddler suddenly stops speaking.
Repetition of activities and gestures
Difficulty with eye contact
Inability to interact and respond with empathy toward others.
Instead of playing with toys that way they are intended to be played with, an autistic child may take one and fixate on it, literally for hours.

Research for the treatment of autism has come a long way in the last couple of decades. The disorder used to be considered untreatable but more and more are finding these children can be helped and with a lot of determination, many improve. An important factor is the individualization of therapy for each separate case. As with any child, strengths and weaknesses vary and what works for one or several may not be the right course of treatment for your child. Evaluations by professionals will help determine the severity of the disorder and the applications of treatment.

Treatment options include:

Medication - such as those prescribed for ADHD and other disorders are often prescribed. There are no medications that have been developed specifically for autism, but many of the others help treat some symptoms.

Diet - Gluten has been found to be an aggravator of autistic symptoms. Gluten free diets are recommended for children with autism but it is advised that it be taken from the diet slowly.

Vitamins- Studies have shown that many autistic children have difficulty absorbing some vitamins. Once evaluated, if a child is found to be deficient, vitamins are added to their treatment.

Therapies: Music, art and animal therapies are used to develop coordination, communication and social interaction. Horseback riding and swimming with dolphins in particular are helping to improve behavior and draw autistic children out of their shells.