Program
Education K-12 M.A.
Year Approved
2017
First Advisor
Silmser, Lisa
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental syndromes characterized by deficits in communication, social interaction, imagination and sensory processing. The prevalence of ASD has increased significantly throughout recent decades. Given their concern about the diagnosis and their frustration that effective medical approaches are lacking, many parents and families of children with ASD have turned to alternative treatments and therapies for regulation of the behaviors and deficits observed in children with ASD. This literature review focuses on naming a variety of alternative treatments and therapies as well as examining their effectiveness for regulating behaviors in those diagnosed with ASD. Because it is a spectrum disorder, the severity and prevalence of symptoms will differ from each individual. Due to the varying degrees of this disorder and symptoms, the findings of this literature review conclude that it is best to try multiple methods of regulation and treatment. While many studies have shown to benefit children with ASD, it’s best to keep in mind the combination of therapies and treatments, the age of the child and the purpose of the treatments and therapies being examined.
Degree Name
Education K-12 M.A.
Document Type
Masterʼs thesis
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Ferraro, P. L. (2017). Alternative Therapies and Treatments and Their Effect in Reducing Behaviors Found Within Autism Spectrum Disorder [Masterʼs thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/204