High use of complementary and alternative medication among children with autism is not associated with the severity of core symptoms (original) (raw)
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Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 2014
Objective: To compare the utilization of conventional treatments and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD). Methods: Participants were 578 children who were part of an ongoing population-based, case-control study of 2-to 5-year olds with ASD, DD, and the general population. Parents completed an interview on past and current services. Results: Four hundred fifty-three children with ASD and 125 DD children were included. ASD families received more hours of conventional services compared with DD families (17.8 vs 11; p < .001). The use of psychotropic medications was low in both groups (approximately 3%). Overall, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use was not significantly different in ASD (39%) versus DD (30%). Hispanic families in both groups used CAM less often than non-Hispanic families. Variables such as level of function, immunization status, and the presence of an identified neurogenetic disorder were not predictive of CAM use. A higher level of parental education was associated with an increased CAM use in ASD and DD. Families who used >20 hours per week of conventional services were more likely to use CAM, including potentially unsafe or disproven CAM. Underimmunized children were marginally more likely to use CAM but not more likely to have received potentially unsafe or disproven CAM. Conclusion: Use of CAM is common in families of young children with neurodevelopmental disorders, and it is predicted by higher parental education and non-Hispanic ethnicity but not developmental characteristics. Further research should address how health care providers can support families in making decisions about CAM use.
Background: Complementary and alternative medicine ( CAM) treatments are becoming widely used as an adjunct to conventional medical treatment for many conditions. CAM treatments are often recommended by several ASD advocacy organizations as potential components of an overall treatment plan and families of children with ASD may be exposed to CAM treatments through various media outlets. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of CAM treatments in a large ASD registry, and identify factors associated with the use of CAM treatments. Methods: Children and adolescents with a diagnosis of ASD (autism, Asperger disorder, or PDD-NOS) confirmed by ADOS, age 2 – 18 years were enrolled into the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) Registry which collects data on children with ASD at 14 sites across the US and Canada. Upon entry into the registry, parents completed a medical history questionnaire including use of CAM treatments, GI symptom inventory, Child Sleep Health Q...
Background: Families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) frequently engage in the use of complementary and alternative Medicine(CAM). Little information is available about frequency/types of CAM used in an inner city, ethnically diverse population and associations with specific child co-morbid symptoms or parental stress. Objectives: To examine the use of CAM therapy in a group of families of children with ASD and to assess the relationship of CAM with feeding, gastrointestinal, sleeping and behavioral problems and parent stress. Methods: Cross sectional study with structured interview in 50 children with ASD and 50 children with other developmental disabilities(DD), matched by age and gender. Interview included: CAM questionnaire, Gastrointestinal (GI) Questionnaire, Child's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, Aberrant Behavior Checklist and Parenting Stress Index. Statistical analysis included chi-square, t test, and Logistic Regression. Results: To date we have recruited 5...
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may elect to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments with their children in place of, or in addition to, conventional treatments. CAM treatments are controversial and understudied and, for most, the efficacy has not been established. The current study (n = 248) examined reports (via an internet survey) from parents of children with an ASD, asking of CAM usage, recommendation sources, expectations, costs, parent-rated assessments of efficacy, and reasons for stopping use of CAMs. Over 70% had tried at least one CAM treatment with their child, and about half were currently using one or more CAMs. Parents entered treatment with high expectations, although they varied considerably in their assessment of whether CAMs helped their child. Odds ratios of parent-rated efficacy give small leaning toward improvement over non-improvement for CAM treatments. The findings highlight the need for methodologically sound re...
Children and autism--Part 2--management with complementary medicines and dietary interventions
Australian family physician, 2007
Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and dietary interventions are widely used in the management of autistic disorders as pharmacological treatments offered by mainstream medicine are limited and often associated with significant adverse effects. In this article, the rationale, safety and efficacy of a range of CAMs and dietary interventions used in the management of autistic disorders are discussed. Despite many anecdotal reports supporting the efficacy of CAMs, evidence for their use in autistic disorders is either unclear or conflicting, and available data comes from a limited number of small studies. Large randomised controlled trials have not yet been conducted to examine efficacy in this population. Although most interventions are associated with only mild adverse effects, there is a lack of long term safety data. General practitioners need to be aware that the use of CAMs in autism is not risk free and often lacks sound clinical evidence. On the other hand, there ma...
European journal of pediatrics, 2015
This study examined the prevalence and correlates of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among a sample of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) < 7 years in 18 European countries (N = 1,680). Forty-seven percent of parents reported having tried any CAM approach in the past 6 months. Diets and supplements were used by 25 % of the sample and mind-body practices by 24 %; other unconventional approaches were used by 25 % of the families, and a minority of parents reported having tried any invasive or potentially harmful approach (2 %). Parents in Eastern Europe reported significantly higher rates of CAM use. In the total sample, children with lower verbal ability and children using prescribed medications were more likely to be receiving diets or supplements. Concurrent use of high levels of conventional psychosocial intervention was significantly associated with use of mind-body practices. Higher parental educational level also increased the likelihood of both...
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 2008
Complementary and alternative medical treatments are commonly used for children with autism spectrum disorders. This review discusses the evidence supporting the most frequently used treatments, including categories of mind-body medicine, energy medicine, biologically based, manipulative and body-based practices, with the latter two the most commonly selected by families. It is important for clinical providers to understand the evidence for efficacy (or lack thereof) and potential side effects. Some CAM practices have evidence to reject their use, such as secretin, others have emerging evidence to support their use, like melatonin. Most treatments, however, have not been adequately studied and do not have evidence to support their use. Keywords autism; autism spectrum; complementary and alternative treatments; evidence based Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are common disorders (affecting 1 in 150 children) 2 and are typically first recognized in early childhood. ASDs are characterized by core deficits in socialization, communication and behavior 5 with a wide range of severity of symptoms. Disorders include autism, Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). For the purpose of this paper, we will include autism, Asperger's Disorder and PDD-NOS as the ASDs for discussion, as Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett's Disorder have different characteristics, outcome and treatment. Function and outcome is affected not only by core deficits but by frequently associated comorbid behaviors 34,62 , such as irritability, sensory abnormalities, hyperactivity, affective disorders and others. Outcome is further affected by the presence or absence of language and by overall cognitive ability.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015
Background. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) represents a popular therapeutic option for patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data regarding the efficacy of CAM in ASD. The aim of the present systematic review is to investigate trials of CAM in ASD. Material and Methods. We searched the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Agricola, and Food Science Source. Results. Our literature search identified 2687 clinical publications. After the title/abstract screening, 139 publications were obtained for detailed evaluation. After detailed evaluation 67 studies were included, from hand search of references we retrieved 13 additional studies for a total of 80. Conclusion. There is no conclusive evidence supporting the efficacy of CAM therapies in ASD. Promising results are reported for music therapy, sensory integration therapy, acupuncture, and massage.