by Claudia Boyd-Barrett posted in Parenting

Don?t be fooled by products or treatments claiming to cure autism.
That?s the message from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which this week warned consumers that so-called ?cures? for autism will not work and may even endanger your child?s health.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for autism. Some federally approved therapies and drugs can improve autism symptoms in certain people, but will not get rid of autism. Legitimate treatments for autism include behavioral therapy, social skills training, occupational and sensory integration therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, and certain medications to treat autism-related behavior problems.
About 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The disorder is more than 4 times more common in boys than in girls. Children with autism generally have difficulty communicating and interacting with others, and may exhibit repetitive and obsessive behaviors.
The FDA is cracking down on products making false claims to cure or treat autism. Here?s what you should be wary of:
? Chelation therapies: These products come in many forms including sprays, tablets, liquid drops and clay baths, and claim to remove toxic chemicals and heavy metals from the body. The FDA has not approved chelation therapy for autism treatment (it?s sometimes used to treat lead poisoning or iron overload) and using ...