Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2018 Jan 15;48(1):40-63.
doi: 10.64719/pb.4560.

The Use of Complementary Alternative Medicine in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Melissa DeFilippis  1
Affiliations
Review

The Use of Complementary Alternative Medicine in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Melissa DeFilippis. Psychopharmacol Bull. .

Abstract

Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) is used to a greater degree in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), when compared to children and adolescents without this diagnosis. There is limited evidence supporting the use of many of these treatments in ASD, despite their popularity. Current FDA approved medications for ASD target associated behavioral symptoms of the diagnosis, not the core symptoms of social communication deficits and restricted/repetitive behaviors. These medications are also associated with concerning adverse effects. Evidence-based therapies for core symptoms, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA), are sometimes difficult for families to access for various reasons. Families are sometimes hesitant to discuss their interest in CAM with physicians. Physicians report knowledge gaps about CAM and their use in ASD and concerns about potential conflict with parents regarding differing beliefs of CAM's role in the management of ASD. It is important for physicians to know the current evidence which examines the use of CAM treatments in children and adolescents with autism so that they may have conversations with families which are informed and evidence-based.

Keywords: alternative; autism; complementary; symptoms; treatment.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Christensen DL, Baio J, Braun KV et al. Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 sites, United States, 2012. MMWR Surveill Summ [serial online] 2016;65(3):1–23. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Blumberg SJ, Bramlett MD, Kogan MD et al. Changes in prevalence of parent-reported autism spectrum disorder in school-aged US Children: 2007 to 2011-2012. Natl Health Stat Report. 2013;65:1–11. - PubMed
    1. Black LI, Clarke TC, Barnes PM, Stussman BJ, Nahin RL. Use of complementary health approaches among children aged 4-17 years in the United States: National Health Interview Survey, 2007-2012. Natl Health Stat Report. 2015;78:1–18. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Akins RS, Krakowiak P, Angkustsiri K, Hertz-Picciotto I, Hansen RL. Utilization patterns of conventional and complementary/alternative treatments in children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities in a population-based study. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2014;35(1):1–10. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Perrin JM, Coury DL, Hyman SL, Cole L, Reynolds AM, Clemons T. Complementary and alternative medicine use in a large pediatric autism sample. Pediatrics. 2012;130:S77–S82. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources