Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children

Altern Ther Health Med. 2024 Mar;30(3):170-175.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to review recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD )and provide insights for its clinical management.

Methods: The literatures were researched fro the pubmed, Wanfang and CNKI. We searched for research on the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis (screening and evaluation), and treatment of Autism spectrum disorder. When selecting papers to be included, priority should be given to randomized clinical trials, systematic evaluations, meta-analyses, clinical practice guidelines, and articles related to general medical readers.

Results: ASD is a widely present neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication difficulties, narrow interests, and repetitive behavior, accompanied by symptoms such as irritability, self-harm, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sleep problems. Irritability, self-harm, ADHD, and sleep problems are common accompanying symptoms that contribute to the challenges faced by individuals with ASD. At present, there is no fully effective treatment method for ASD, and key factors affecting the prognosis of ASD include early diagnosis time, early language communication level, intelligence level, disease severity, comorbidities, family participation, appropriate intervention, and social support. Therefore, early individualized long-term comprehensive training and drug therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and combined family participation can improve the prognosis of pediatric patients. Before selecting treatment plans for children, collecting as much information as possible about various treatment methods and choosing personalized treatment plans based on the child's developmental assessment level is necessary. In addition, the treatment of ASD is also influenced by factors such as family economic status, parental mentality, and social environment. During the training process, it is important to be family-centered, tolerant, and understand children's behavior.

Conclusion: It is significant to take effective treatment measures to improve the quality of life and prognosis of children with autism spectrum disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder* / diagnosis
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder* / therapy
  • Child
  • Humans