What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a review to describe complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices commonly used for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), examining their rationale, safety, and efficacy.
What They Found
The review found that melatonin can be recommended as a treatment for sleeping disturbances associated with ASD, while secretin can be rejected as an efficacious treatment for broader autistic symptoms. There was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions on the efficacy of several other practices, including modified diets, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, immune therapy, and vitamin and fatty acid supplementation.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with ASD experiencing sleep disturbances may consider melatonin, but should be aware that secretin is not an effective treatment for broader autistic symptoms. For many other complementary therapies, there is currently not enough evidence to support their use.
Canadian Relevance
This study does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A key limitation is the overall lack of methodologically rigorous studies on many complementary and alternative medicine practices for autism spectrum disorder.