Utilization Patterns of Conventional and Complementary/Alternative Treatments in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities in a Population-Based Study

Abstract

Objective This study compared the utilization of conventional treatments to utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) 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 to DD (17.8 vs. 11; p<0.001). The use of psychotropic medications was low in both groups (~3%). CAM use overall was not significantly different in ASD (39%) versus DD (30%). Hispanic families in both groups used CAM less often than non-Hispanics. Variables such as level of function, immunization status, and presence of an identified neurogenetic disorder were not predictive of CAM use. A higher level of parental education was associated with increased CAM use in ASD and DD. Families who utilized >20 hours per week of conventional services were more likely to use CAM, including potentially unsafe or disproven CAM. Under-immunized children were marginally more likely to use CAM, but not more likely to have received potentially unsafe or disproven CAM. Conclusion CAM use is common in families of young children with neurodevelopmental disorders and is predicted by higher parental education and non-Hispanic ethnicity but not developmental characteristics. Further research should address how healthcare providers can support families in making decisions about CAM use.

Prevalence and correlates of use of complementary and alternative medicine in children with autism spectrum disorder in Europe

“…Parents with a high educational level have been consistently reported in previous 294 studies to be more likely to use CAM than parents with a lower educational level [14,1] and 295 in our study more educated parents were more likely to choose diets or supplements for their 296 child as well as using mind-and body practices. Notably, the increase in the likelihood was 297 higher for the mind-body practices (64%) than diets and supplements (35%).…”

“…Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behaviourally defined disorder characterized by classification, but additional meaningful categories of CAM such as "invasive or potentially 68 unsafe approaches" [1] and other unconventional approaches that are not strictly classifiable 69 as CAM (such as pet therapy) are also often included in such surveys. This, and the fact that 70 the NCCAM classification has changed over time, have led to some inconsistency across 71 studies.…”

Practices and outcomes of self-treatment with helminths based on physicians' observations

“…This study tends to contradict that view, with a large fraction of patients (or parents of paediatric patients) willing to try selftreatment with helminths. However, it should be pointed out that the majority of patients described in this study had autism, and these patients (or their parents) may be especially prone to try alternative therapies (Levy & Hyman, 2003;Harrington et al, 2006;Hanson et al, 2007;Perrin et al, 2012;Akins et al, 2014). Further, the patients described in this study had sought out physicians who were accepting of alternative therapies, and therefore these patients may be more prone than typical patients to accept helminth therapy.…”

“…This observation may be accounted for by at least two factors. First, parents of patients with autism are very prone to seek alternative medical treatments (Levy & Hyman, 2003;Harrington et al, 2006;Hanson et al, 2007;Perrin et al, 2012;Akins et al, 2014). Second, parents of patients with autism are relatively likely to maintain supervision of their child by a physician, despite using alternative treatments such as helminth therapy.…”

Long-Term Outcomes in Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders in India

“…1995) yielding an autism index that gives the probability of autism b Indian adaptation of Vineland Social Maturity Scale(Malin 1971) yielding a social quotient (SQ) that gives the level of social functioning c Childhood Autism Rating Scale(Schopler et al 1980) study conducted in California(Akins et al 2014) [median (interquartile range): 4 (3-6) vs. 17.8 (4-27) h/week)].…”