Autism is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder that typically appears before the age of 3, manifested as language impairment, social deficits, and repetitive behaviors. It mainly occurs in childhood, with boys more frequently affected than girls. Current treatments include behavior correction, speech training, medication, and stem cell therapy. If treatment opportunities are missed, children may develop lifelong communication difficulties, social isolation, and challenges with independent living, severely affecting families and society.

Emerging Treatment Methods

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy is a recent breakthrough in autism treatment, primarily working by regulating nervous system immune responses and repairing microdamage in the brain, thereby improving children’s behavior and emotional states. This therapy has been trialed in several countries, showing positive prospects.

① Enhances cognitive function and promotes neural pathway remodeling.

② Improves emotional stability, reducing aggression and tantrums.

③ Strengthens language comprehension and expression abilities.

④ Promotes social responsiveness, making children more willing to engage in interactions.

⑤ Can be combined with rehabilitation training to improve overall efficacy.

Conventional Treatment Methods

1. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

ABA is an intervention technique that modifies children’s behavior through positive reinforcement. By setting goals and reinforcing positive behaviors, ABA effectively reduces negative responses and improves social adaptability, making it suitable for daily training in most autistic children.

2. Speech and communication training

Autistic children often have delayed language development. Professional speech therapists use methods such as oral language training, picture card communication, and assistive communication devices to help children build expressive intent and comprehension, reducing emotional fluctuations.

3. Sensory integration training

Some autistic children have abnormal sensory perception, such as fear of sounds or resistance to touch. Sensory integration training involving tactile, vestibular, and deep pressure stimulation improves the ability to process external information, alleviating emotional and coordination problems.

4. Medication-assisted therapy

For children with anxiety, attention disorders, or impulsive behavior, medications such as antipsychotics and mood stabilizers may be used under medical supervision to aid in achieving intervention goals when combined with other therapies.

5. Family support and educational intervention

Family is the core environment for rehabilitation. Providing parents with training courses, establishing structured routines, and engaging in home-based training programs help consolidate treatment outcomes and improve daily functioning and attachment.

6. Multidisciplinary team collaboration

At specialized institutions such as United Life International Medical Center, children receive collaborative management from neurology, rehabilitation, psychology, and speech therapy specialists. Individualized treatment plans and continuous rehabilitation progress evaluations enhance long-term intervention outcomes.

7. Special education inclusion programs

Some children may enter special education systems and receive personalized curricula. By aligning learning plans with rehabilitation goals, these programs help increase learning interest, improve behavior regulation, and lay a foundation for future social integration.

Conclusion

Experts at United Life International Medical Center emphasize that autism cannot be managed by a single treatment alone. Comprehensive evaluation and individualized intervention plans are required. Combining stem cell therapy with conventional training offers new hope for families. Parents should prioritize early screening and intervention to provide children with opportunities for gradual reintegration into society.