The nurse is working with a mother and her 4-year-old daughter just diagnosed with autism. The mother asks the nurse what the treatment is for autism. What is the best response by the nurse?

Choice A reason: Stating there is no cure for autism is accurate, but claiming a poor prognosis for independent living is overly pessimistic and incorrect. Many individuals with autism achieve varying degrees of independence with tailored interventions, making this response discouraging and not reflective of current management approaches. Choice B reason: Autism management focuses on individualized interventions, such as behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, to optimize the child’s functional abilities. This approach supports developmental progress, social skills, and independence, aligning with evidence-based practices for autism spectrum disorder, making it the best and most accurate response. Choice C reason: Stimulant medications and antipsychotics are not always included in autism treatment. They may be used for specific symptoms (e.g., hyperactivity, aggression) but are not universal. Autism management prioritizes behavioral and developmental therapies, making this statement inaccurate and overly prescriptive for a 4-year-old’s treatment plan. Choice D reason: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is not the mainstay for autism, especially in a 4-year-old, as it requires cognitive skills not yet developed. Behavioral interventions like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are more common, focusing on skill-building, making CBT an incorrect primary treatment choice for autism management.