Research summaries for autism therapy: complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

definition of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): Diverse medical and health care practices, therapies, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional main-stream medicine. Examples include acupuncture and herbal remedies.
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State of the Evidence Regarding Complimentary and Alternative Medical Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Summarized Jan 8, 2008

Special education teachers can help parents sort through and select among the many different autism therapies.

This review article describes the research behind complimentary and alternative medical (CAM) treatments for autism. Many doctors do not like the CAM treatments for autism. This is because there is not a lot of research to show that they work. The therapies that have been shown to work are speech therapy, social skills therapy and behavioral therapy (ABA). The author states that facilitated communication and auditory integration training have been shown to not work. Read more...

Omega-3 DHA and EPA for Cognition, Behavior, and Mood: Clinical Findings and Structural-Functional Synergies with Cell Membrane Phospholipids, Summarized Nov 28, 2007

This review article describes the research behind using omega-3 fatty acids as an autism therapy. In 2001, two groups of case histories found that children with autism had low levels of omega-3 fatty acids. In a different study, a group in Austria treated children who had autism and bad behavior with 1.5 grams per day of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, and found that the bad behavior decreased.... Read more...

Effect of Long-Term Interactive Music Therapy on Behavior Profile and Musical Skills in Young Adults with Severe Autism, Summarized Nov 6, 2007

Music therapy can help with the core symptoms of autism and improve music skills.

This study tested whether music therapy could improve the behavior of young adults with autism and improve music skills. Earlier studies have shown that brief music therapy can improve speaking skills in children with autism. This study followed eight young adults who received 52 weeks of music therapy. The music therapy involved a lot of interaction with the young adults. The weekly sessions had singing, piano playing, and drumming. Read more...

Children and Autism. Part 2 – Management with Complementary Medicines and Dietary Interventions, Summarized Oct 26, 2007

Doctors need to know about the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments that are used by parents to help children with autism.

This article reviews many of the CAM options used to treat autism. The authors note that many CAM therapies have been developed for autism since there is no medical cure for autism. About half of all parents use CAMs as therapies for their children with autism. Many parents use CAMs in an attempt to treat biological problems that the child might have. The authors state that there is a lack of good research testing whether CAMs help children with autism. Read more...

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Synonyms for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) include: alternative medicine, alternative therapies, alternative therapy, alternative treatment, CAM, complementary, complementary therapies, complimentary and alternative medicine, complimentary medicine
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