Autism as a psychotic illness.

[DCal430]

In many countries, the standard way of treating autistic children is with behavioural therapy - stimulating and rewarding them to develop the skills they need to function in society - but France still puts its faith in psychoanalysis. And an increasing number of parents are now demanding change.

While the rest of the world now sees autism as a neurological development disorder, France still clings to the belief that autism is a form of childhood psychosis,a mental illness that needs to be treated like schizophrenia. These children are often taken from families and locked up in mental institutions for the rest of their lives. People who are productive member of societies in other countries would be regulated to special homes, never given education, and treated like less than human in France. While in other countries a good percentage of Autistic children go to school, and even earn college degrees, in France this is almost unheard of.

 

[SirStev0]

I hate to burst your bubble but severe autism is treated like Schizophrenia in the United States too.

Many children with autism are treated with anti-psychotics and in treatment psychiatric hospitalization.

 

[DCal430]

I hate to burst your bubble but severe autism is treated like Schizophrenia in the United States too.

Many children with autism are treated with anti-psychotics and in treatment psychiatric hospitalization.

Not really, most children with Autism in the U.S go to school and get an education. Most children in France with Autism are placed in mental institutes.

 

[DCal430]

Anti Psychotics are given to children who have Bi Polar Disorder, not Autism. Some children with Autism also have Bi Polar disorder, so they are are given anti Psychotics.

 

[DCal430]

In France all forms are treated like psychosis, from sever forms to mild forms like Asperger. Children with Aspergers have college education in the U.S, in France they are even allowed to go to school.

 

[SirStev0]

Anti Psychotics are given to children who have Bi Polar Disorder, not Autism. Some children with Autism also have Bi Polar disorder, so they are are given anti Psychotics.

No. They get Seroquel and Geodon and a host of other atypical anti-pyschotics. It helps control their outbursts and acting out. Bipolar people also get atypical antipsychotics as well to help even them, though lithium usually works much better, but carries a greater stigma.

Now I will give you that we have a network of special education schools in America for children with Autism, but a very many of them are on medications that span a wide range of action.

 

[DCal430]

No. They get Seroquel and Geodon and a host of other atypical anti-pyschotics. It helps control their outbursts and acting out. Bipolar people also get atypical antipsychotics as well to help even them, though lithium usually works much better, but carries a greater stigma.

Now I will give you that we have a network of special education schools in America for children with Autism, but a very many of them are on medications that span a wide range of action.

Many children with Autism attend regular schools in the U.s. I know someone who is Autistic who went to college and earned a degree. We have Austic people in the U.S who are college professors.

 

[abj13]

No. They get Seroquel and Geodon and a host of other atypical anti-pyschotics. It helps control their outbursts and acting out. Bipolar people also get atypical antipsychotics as well to help even them, though lithium usually works much better, but carries a greater stigma.

Now I will give you that we have a network of special education schools in America for children with Autism, but a very many of them are on medications that span a wide range of action.

False. I take it you haven't met many Autistic children, or those along the spectrum that fall under the PDD diagnosis. Most aren't on medications, and certainly atypical antipsychotics are seldom used. Outbursts in these children are usually related to their rigidity, like changing from one activity to another, many of them have difficulties with transitions. They don't get medicated, behavioral therapy is the norm. Sadly some of these children see the "Defeat Autism Now" doctors (some who really aren't) and fail to get treatment that could really help them, instead they get horrible quackery like chelation therapy. Ugh.

The fact that you think children with autism are hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals reflects you don't really know anything about developmental pediatrics or how these children are managed in the US. Its great to see the development of the Autism Treatment Network, so many of these kids are plugged into comprehensive care.