Biopsychological
Methods of Treating Autism
Autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered a neurodevelopmental condition, (commonly referred
to as autism), which impairs an individual’s ability to competently interact and
communicate to varying degrees. More specifically,
social interaction, behavior, and language are afflicted. Among the symptoms associated with autism are
resistance, poor eye contact, unawareness, unresponsiveness, sensitivity to
light, abnormal or underdeveloped speech, and hyperactivity or repetitive, uncontrolled
movement. Typically, these problems
appear during early childhood (Mayo Clinic, 2012). Prior to the 1990s this disease was quite
rare. However, in March of 2012 the
Autism Research Institute determined 1 out of 88 eight year old children in the
United States
are affected by ASD and 60 children out of every 10,000 worldwide. With an irresolute 70 plus percent increase
of global cases over the past 10 years, research investigating the causes and
treatments associated with autism are prevalent (Autism Research Institute,
2012). The causes are generally centered
on genetic problems and environmental factors, while the treatment has been
offered from a behavioral, communicative, educational, or medicinal aspect
(Mayo Clinic, 2012). In effort to
effectively administer treatment of sensorimotor disorders such as autism,
biopsychological means such as psychopharmacology and psychophysiology are
progressively employed (Pinel, 2011). The
following will analyze, compare, and contrast these approaches as utilized
within relative case studies.
The
first study to consider incorporates pharmacological treatment which “can
effectively target problem behaviors associated with autism” (Hollander,
Phillips, & Yeh, 2003). Often, drug
treatment is viewed as complementary and integral to fostering a therapeutic
relationship with the client, promoting compliance, improving domestic and
educational environments, and enhancing parental involvement or concern
(Hollander et al., 2003). Accordingly, researchers introduced
citalopram (Celexa), an antidepressant, to children and adolescents for 14 –
624 days (mean 219). Once administered
citalopram, 66% displayed significant improvement in functionality and nearly
half showed improvements in attitude, aggression, and irritability. Furthermore, it was determined that subjects
treated with the drug for longer periods (not dosage) were positively
affected. Subjects experiencing negative
or void reactions stopped prematurely (Hollander et al., 2003).
Although
psychopharmacological treatments are advantageous, they offer complications as
well. Drug abuse, improper diagnosis,
prescription, informed consent, and school monitoring and caretaking are
plausible issues impeding such methods (Hollander et al., 2003). In terms of
the case study, a third of the clients experienced one or more of the following
side effects: headaches, sedation, aggressiveness, agitation, and lip
dyskinesia. Again, these individuals
withdrew from treatment within three months (Hollander et al., 2003).
The next
case study employed an invasive electrophysiological recording method, referred
to as quantitative EEG (QEEG), to examine autistic patients. This procedure is
defined as an electroencephalogram of brain function, enabling practitioners to
observe brain waves of afflicted patients in comparison to healthy individuals
or a control group (Abshier & Abshier, 2012). In this particular instance, researchers
used QEEG to compare a control group of wait-listed subjects to the
neurofeedback provided by subjects (the experimental group) throughout 20
sessions. They hypothesized that QEEG
neurofeedback would provide superior insight to symptom based
neurofeedback. A comprehensive QEEG
assessment grants practitioners the ability to identify regions of abnormality
and provide proper guidance. Additional
measurements observed were neuropsychological data and neurobehavioral rating
scales (Coben & Meyers, 2010). The results
confirmed that 76% of the experimental group reduced their hyperconnectivity
and discovered a 40% decrease in ASD symptoms as 89% of the experimental
group’s parents reported symptom improvement, all indicating improved
treatment. Of those in the control
group, 83% remained unaffected. In
addition, from a neuropsychological aspect, patients’ attention, language, as
well as visual perceptual and executive functioning improved. “This was the
first published study to demonstrate the effectiveness of coherence training
for reducing the symptoms of autism” (Coben & Meyers, 2010).
While
quantitative EGG is effective in the investigation and treatment of autistic
symptoms, various factors hinder widespread usage. From the practitioner’s perspective, there
exists a lack of information and education concerning the method. Hence, it is time consuming to gather and
comprehend relative research. From the
client’s perspective, these procedures are not cost or time efficient and may
be deemed unethical. Furthermore,
concerning both parties, QEEG has a minute potential of resulting in brain
damage or additional brain malfunction.
In
summary, it may be concluded that neither of the aforementioned
biopsychological means, psychopharmacological therapy nor quantitative EGG
testing, establish an obvious advantage over the other in terms of treating an
escalating disorder, autism. Both methods
possess the potential to provide effective results as well as adverse
conditions on a case by case basis affecting all parties involved. There are several factors to consider when
diagnosing or selecting a particular treatment technique. In these instances, the practitioner, the
afflicted child, and the parents must be direct, well informed, and compliant
in order to enhance the probability to achieve favorable outcomes.
References:
Abshier, T.L., & Abshier, M.D.
(2012). Gateway to health; QEEG & neurofeedback therapy.
Retrieved
April 30, 2012, from http://www.naturedox.com/qeegneurofeedback.html.
Autism Research Institute. Autism.
Retrieved April 30, 2012, from
Coben, R., & Meyers, T.E. (2010). The relative efficacy
of connectivity guided and symptom
based EEG biofeedback for autistic disorders. Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback,
35,
13-23.
Hollander, E., Phillips, A.T.,
& Yeh, C. (2003). Targeted treatments for symptom domains in
child
and adolescent autism. The Lancet, 362,
732-734.
Mayo Clinic. Autism. Retrieved
April 30, 2012, from
Pinel, J.P.J. (2011). Biopsychology
(8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
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