Abstract
This study examined the prevalence of the use of different types of conventional, complementary and alternative therapies by children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Of 112 families surveyed, 74% were using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for their child with ASD. CAM use was most strongly associated with parent report of child’s diagnosis. Most CAM was reported by families to be either helpful or without effect, but not harmful. The main reasons for choosing CAM were related to concerns with the safety and side effects of prescribed medications. Conventional health care providers should be aware of the high prevalence of use among children with ASD and be prepared to discuss the use of CAM with families.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics Health Topics on Complementary Medicine (http://aap.org/healthtopics/complementarymedicine.cfm) accessed 4/27/05.
American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, Fourth edition, text Revision. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Astin, J. (1998). Why patients use alternative medicine: results of a national study. Journal of the American Medical Association, 280, 1548–1553.
Bernstein, B. J., & Grasso, T. (2001) Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use in cancer patients. Oncology, 15, 1267–1272.
Blanc, P. D., Trupin, L., Earnest G., Katz, P. P., Yelin, E. H., & Eisner, M. D. (2001) Alternative therapist among adults with a reported diagnosis of asthma or rhinosinusitis: Data from a population-based survey. Chest, 120, 1461–1467.
Bussig, R., Zima, B., & Garvan, G. (2002). Use of complementary and alternative medicine for symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Psychiatry Service, 53, 1196–1102.
Davis, M., & Darden, P. (2003) Use of complementary and alternative medicine by children in the United States. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicing, 157, 393–396.
Dunning, T. (2003). Complementary therapies and diabetes. Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery, 9(2), 74–80.
Eisenberg, D., Davis, R., Ettner, S., Appel, S., Wilkey, S., Van Rompay, M., & Kessler, R. (1998). Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990–1997. Journal of American Medical Association, 280(18), 1569–1575.
Fairfield, K. N., Eisenberg, D. M., Davis, R. B., Libman, H., & Phillips, R. S. (1998). Patterns of use, expenditure and perceived efficacy of complementary and alternative therapies in HIV-infected patients. Archives of Internal Medicine, 158, 2257–2264.
Ferguson, P. (2002). A place in the family: An historical interpretation of research on parental reactions to having a child with a disability University of Oregon. The Journal of Special Education 36(3), 124–130.
Hyman, S., & Levy, S. (2000). Autistic spectrum disorders: When traditional medicine is not enough. Contemporary Pediatrics, 17, 100–114.
Hurvitz, E., Leonard, C., Ayyangar, R., & Nelson, V. (2003). Complementary and alternative medicine use in families of children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 52, 364–370.
Kemper, K., Cassileth, B., & Ferris, T. (1999). Holistic pediatrics: A research agenda. Pediatrics, 103, 902–909.
Larkin, M. (2001). Alternative medicine centre aims for mainstream status. Lancet, 358(9281), 566.
Levy, S., & Hyman, S. (2002). Alternative/complementary approaches to treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders. Infants and Young Children, 4, 33–42.
Levy, S., Mandell, D., Merhar, S., Ittenback, R., & Pinto-Martin, J. (2003). Use of complementary and alternative medicine among children recently diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 24, 418–423.
Mazur, L. J., DeYbarrondo, L., Miller, J., & Colasurdo, G. (2001). Use of alternative and complementary therapies for pediatric asthma. Texas Medicine, 97(6), 64–68.
McCurdy, E. A, Spangler, J. G., Wofford, M. M., Chauvenet, A. R., & McLean, T. W., (2003). Religiosity is associated with the use of complementary medical therapies by pediatric oncology patients. Journal of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, 25(2), 125–129.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (www.nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam) accessed 4/27/05.
Nickel, R. (1996). Controversial therapies for young children with developmental disabilities. Infants Young Children, 8, 29–40.
Petry, J. J., & Finkel, R. (2004). Spirituality and choice of health care practitioner. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10(6), 939–945.
Quackwatch (www.quackwatch.com) accessed 4/27/05.
Roger, S. (1998). Empirically supported comprehensive treatments for young children with autism. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27, 168–179.
Sandler, A., Brazdziunas, D., & Cooley, W. (2001). Counseling families who choose complementary and alternative medicine for their child with chronic illness or disability. Pediatrics, 107, 598–601.
Spigelblatt, L., & Laine-Ammara, G., (1994). The use of alternative medicine by children. Pediatrics, 94, 811–814.
Woolf, A. (2003). Herbal remedies and children. Do they work? Are they Harmful? Pediatrics, 112, 240–246.
Yeh, G., Eisenberg, D., Davis, R., & Phillips, R. (2002). Use of complementary and alternative medicine among persons with diabetes mellitus: results of a national survey. American Journal of Public Health, 92(10), 1648–1652.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Appendix: Therapy Categories and Descriptions Listed in the Survey
Appendix: Therapy Categories and Descriptions Listed in the Survey
-
1.
Modified diet (e.g., additive-free, Feingold diet, sugar-free, wheat-free, vegan, etc.)
-
2.
Food supplements (e.g., blue green algae, evening primrose oil, fish oil, omega 3 fatty acids, pycnogenol, etc.)
-
3.
Herbal remedies (e.g., chamomile, gingko biloba, ginseng, kava, skullcap, St. John’s wort, valerian, wild oat seed, etc.)
-
4.
Vitamins/minerals (e.g., Biometics, Cytobuddies, KidsPlex, Restores, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Zinc etc.)
-
5.
Biofeedback (e.g., EEG, EMG)
-
6.
Chiropractic and Osteopathic manipulation (craniosacral therapy)
-
7.
Educational Techniques (e.g., ABA, TEACCH, Floortime, Higashi, PECS, speech therapy, behavioral modification, behavioral program)
-
8.
Guided imagery/hypnosis
-
9.
Healer/healing touch (e.g. spiritual, psychic, Reiki, energy, non-contact therapeutic touch, etc.)
-
10.
Massage/bodywork
-
11.
Meditation/relaxation response
-
12.
Prayer/shaman
-
13.
Sensory therapies (e.g., art, dance, music, sensory integration, white noise, etc.)
-
14.
Special exercises (e.g., yoga, tai chi, qi gong, etc.)
-
15.
Medication (Adderall, Clonidine, Concerta, Cylert, Depakote, Dexedrine, Focalin, Metadate, Paxil, Prozac, Risperdol, Ritalin, Tegretol, Tenex, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Other)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hanson, E., Kalish, L.A., Bunce, E. et al. Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 37, 628–636 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0192-0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0192-0
Keywords
- Autism
- Complementary
- Alternative medicine