AUTHORS: \u010cel\u00e1rov\u00e1, D., Celu\u0161\u00e1kov\u00e1, H., Trellov\u00e1, I., Szapuov\u00e1, \u017d., Ostatn\u00edkov\u00e1, D.<\/p>\n
ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorders are a<\/span> group of neurodevelopmen<\/span>tal disorders that manifest in early childhood and persist throu<\/span>ghout the lifespan. Core symptoms include social communi<\/span>cation deficits and the presence of stereotyped and repetitive <\/span>behaviors. Despite intensive research, the etiology still rema<\/span>ins unknown, and no medications are approved for the tre<\/span>atment of core symptoms of autism. Evidence-based interven<\/span>tions are based on the principles of applied behavioral analysis, <\/span>and has been shown to be effective particularly when used in <\/span>early childhod. Parents of children with autism spectrum disor<\/span>der, however, often invest their finance and time into interven<\/span>tions that are not only ineffective, but can also pose a threat <\/span>to the healthy development of the child. The role of professio<\/span>nals should therefore be to help parents to be able to decide <\/span>for the most effective treatment for their child and by that in<\/span>crease the quality of life for the whole family.<\/span><\/p>\n Lek\u00e1rsky obzor. – Ro\u010d. 67, \u010d. 7-8 (2018), s. 255-259. – ISSN (print) 0457-4214<\/p>\n