the only treatment and therapy with scientifically based studies to show its effectiveness is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Do it intensively. Pay for it through insurance if you can and DO NOT EXPECT THE SCHOOL to treat your child's medical diagnosis of autism. you must use the hours in the day before they are enrolled in school to maximize ABA therapy and treatment. look at the organization for autism research http://www.researchautism.org/ they evaluate autism treatments based on data driven results. You want to know what is working/will work for your child. evaluate it objectively (not subjectively).

That is a very good question! As a parent, I do my research and then read all the comments about a therapist or program. A good therapist or school should be able to guide you in what may help your child. I'd question why you'd want to make a change if your child is doing well. With that said, sometimes change is necessary for growth. The best advice I received was this: YOU are the expert on your child. Trust your instincts. Sometimes I've had to take risks, and thankfully my son has surprised me with his ability to adapt and thrive in a new setting.

You are doing good on pro/cons, therapists don't give your child all of what they need. ABA is great, cut out dairy. Helps with cognitive. The Marcus Center works with Autism, shows to have more for your child then just therapist would. Sorry I sure all the feed back from us may help or not. Good luck, let us know what you decide.

You have to rely on your mother's intuition really. You know your child best and you have to read and research different approaches to find what will work best for your child. Don't discount alternate approaches accepting ABA as a closed deal only option as some people have found other approaches tremendously helpful.

The only treatment that is proven INEFFECTIVE completely for my son is ABA. He rebelled against the approach because he is too smart for it. For my son to benefit from ABA he would require a high dose of anti-psychotic medication and literally walk around like a drone following rote and rule. You do need to research your options. www.autismtreatmentcenter.org. They offer free information that can help you try it out and see if their approach is for you. ABA is for you if you believe Autism is primarily a behavioral problem. Son-Rise believes it is a social communicative issue that can be addressed at the core resulting in a self motivated self initiating person whose stim behaviors will cease not because we forced them to but because they no longer need them. Definitely do your research but the approach by the Autism Treatment Center is something where you can request free information and try it out without making any commitment. ABA was going to require that my son be institutionalized on medication to tolerate it. With Son-Rise he doees not require medication and has made significant progress that was not possible under ABA. It does work for some people but you have to research these things.