Research: Brief Report: Alternative Approaches to the Development of Effective Treatments for Autism

Authored by Rimland, B., and Baker SM in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Volume 26, Issue , p. 237-241, (1996).

Article summary (posted Oct 21, 2006):

This article reviews the research supporting the use of complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies for autism.

The first author of this article is a champion of the use of vitamin B6 to treat autism, so the article has a primary focus on CAM therapies involving supplements. There is little discussion of the scientific evidence that does not support the use of alternative therapies. The CAM therapies described here include: supplementation (especially B6 with magnesium), dietary changes (casein-, gluten-, additive- and yeast-free diets), and immune treatments. Finally, the author provides a chart of several of the physical problems faced by children with autism and the therapies that have been attempted in the treatment of each problem.

Links:

You can access the original abstract and the complete paper is sometimes available for free via Google Scholar (look for entries that say "PDF" or "HTML" on the right side of the page).
additive-free diet, autism, casein-free diet, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), diet, evidence-based medicine (EBM), focus, gluten-free diet, immune system, magnesium, scientific evidence, supplements, therapy, treatment, vitamin, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), yeast, yeast-free diet
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