Alternative autism therapies prove successful in local programs
BY MANDI CAROZZA | JANUARY 25, 2013 5:00 AM
As new evidence shows that some children with autism can outgrow the disorder, alternative treatment methods such as therapeutic horseback riding are encouraging these kids to step outside of their comfort zones and step into stirrups.
The therapies are available locally. For a therapeutic massage specialized for people with autism, there is Advanced Physical Therapy and Massage in Iowa City, and Waterloos Aspire Therapeutic Riding Program offers animal-assisted therapies.
In a study published last week in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, a group of people with an early history of autism later showed no signs of the disorder.
According to the study, the results clearly demonstrate the existence of a group of individuals with an early history of [autism spectrum disorder] who no longer meet criteria for any autism spectrum disorder.
Children with autism commonly have a number of physiologic imbalances, including digestive disorders, immune dysfunction, metabolic disorders, and nutrient deficiencies, said Julia Buchkina, a University of Iowa clinical assistant professor of family medicine. It makes sense that the symptoms of autism can improve if these individual imbalances are treated.
According to a 2012 report by the Iowa Department of Education, 3,102 of Iowas youth in grades K-12 live with autism.
Of these children, roughly 250 have taken part in Waterloos Aspire program since the its inception in 1998, program director Sara Card said.
While there is no evidence that treatment through therapeutic horseback riding can eliminate symptoms of the disorder, many have witnessed positive behavioral changes.
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Alternative autism therapies prove successful in local programs