As science and medicine become more evolved in our country, so does the diagnosis of disease and disorders. Autism is becoming a more prevalent medical condition, especially recognizable in children. According to the Oxford Journal of Human Molecular Genetics Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, is defined as: “complex group of behaviorally related disorders that are primarily genetic in origin. Involvement of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in the pathogenesis of ASD has been suggested by the occurrence of ASD in patients with disorders arising from epigenetic mutations (fragile X syndrome) or that involve key epigenetic regulatory factors (Rett syndrome). Moreover, the most common recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities in ASD involve maternally …show more content…
Countless studies are performed to determine if the cause is a neuro-genetic deformation, as stated above, or if it is caused by the foods we, or the vaccines we require. Until there is a concrete discovery of what is causing the Autism epidemic, what can be done about treating it? Will it be a profound scientific breakthrough that will relieve a child from the pain of ASD? Or is the secret combining medicinal therapy with a more non-conventional therapy, such as the incorporation and the use of animals? My goal is to explore alternative treatment methods that can be found both therapuetic and beneficial for children living with Autism. I the severity of their ASD impacted by one therapy over another, or is there going to be a “cure-all” method that proves to be measurable for children all along the …show more content…
Of course there are medical treatments, including but not limited to prescription drugs, that are also used as treatment for ASD. I plan to research the effectiveness of medications versus the effectiveness of animal therapy to see if there is a statistical, measureable difference between the two, or if the combination of modern medicine coupled with animal therapy would be a better approach. Research has shown that animal assisted therapy, using dogs and horses, has been successful in the decrease of Autistic behaviors and symptoms. (O’Haire,