The most researched and effective method of treatment for autism is behavior modification. Structuring the classroom and other learning settings is also very important. Some medications have proven to be helpful. Researchers are actively seeking the causes of and effective treatments for autism. The key to treating autism is early diagnosis.
Some researchers believe there are signs of autism that can be detected in infancy.
They identified three key behaviors that, if not present at age 18 months, may indicate early signs of autism. 2. looking at an object when another person looks and points it out. Special attention also is advised for young children showing any loss of language or social skills. The panel recommended that a child meeting any of these early criteria should be referred immediately for an autism screening and other developmental tests rather than waiting. Over one half million people in the U.S. today have autism or a related disorder.