Autism Treatments, Pregnancy & Drugs

MYFOXNY.COM - Medical headlines for Monday, November 30.

Text of Dr. Sapna Parikh's report:

AUTISM EARLY TREATMENT: New research suggests that early treatment of autism in babies as young as 18 months could improve their symptoms. It found that kids who underwent intensive early behavioral treatment for 2 years showed better social interaction, a higher increase in IQ and better language skills. There were only 48 children in this small study at the University of Washington but the researchers say the results were so encouraging they are now expanding the study.

PREGNANCY AND DRUGS: A new report finds that many pregnant women are taking drugs that could be harmful to their baby, but they may not even know it. The Canadian researchers looked at prescriptions filled by just over 100,000 pregnant women and about 6-percent of the women got a medication that is known to be risky for the fetus. They say doctors and young women should review all medications together before a planned pregnancy or as soon as an unplanned pregnancy is recognized.

THERAPY & HAPPINESS: If you think the key to happiness is more money- think again. This new report says go see a therapist instead. It found that therapy could be as much as 32 times more cost effective when it comes to improving your well-being. The researchers say it would take a pay raise of about $40,000 to equal the happiness boost that was achieved by a course of therapy costing just over a thousand dollars.