"Diagnosis And Treatment Of Autism: The Real Story" — Alex Kolevzon, MD
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a term used to define a complex array of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social communication deficits and restricted and repetitive behaviors. ASD signs and symptoms are present as early as twelve months and the diagnosis can reliably be made by experts by two years old. “Early symptoms of ASD include inconsistent or lack of response to name, poor eye contact and impaired joint attention,” said Alexander Kolevzon, MD, professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, director of child and adolescent psychiatry for the Mount Sinai Health System, and clinical director of the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai. “Treatment usually includes speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavioral therapy. The most commonly prescribed behavioral therapy in ASD, and the one with the most evidence to support its use, is applied behavioral analysis (ABA).” ABA teaches children skills using positive reinforcement. It is now well accepted that the earlier and more intensively you intervene, the more robust the gains.
- Alexander Kolevzon, MD, Professor, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Health System, Clinical Director, The Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai