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Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Use of complementary and alternative medicine among children recently diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder
Susan E Levy1, David S Mandell, Stephanie Merhar
1Regional Autism Center, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Insights
Over 30% of children with autism use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Clinicians should discuss CAM early, as some forms may be harmful, and certain factors influence its use.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis rates are increasing.
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use is common in pediatric populations.
- Understanding CAM use in newly diagnosed ASD cases is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of CAM use in children with suspected or recent autism diagnoses.
- To identify factors associated with CAM use and potentially harmful CAM use in this population.
- To inform clinical practice regarding early discussions about CAM.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 284 children at a Regional Autism Center.
- Analysis of demographic and clinical data to identify correlates of CAM use.
- Categorization of CAM use into general and potentially harmful types.
Main Results:
- Over 30% of children utilized some form of CAM.
- Approximately 9% of children used potentially harmful CAM therapies.
- An additional diagnosis was linked to lower CAM use, while being Latino was associated with higher use.
- Prior provider visits predicted potentially harmful CAM use.
Conclusions:
- CAM use is prevalent in children recently diagnosed with autism.
- Clinicians should proactively discuss CAM with families early in the assessment process.
- Further research is needed on cultural influences and the impact of prior healthcare interactions on CAM decisions.
Abstract:
This study examined the prevalence and correlates of use of different types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among a sample of children with suspected or recently diagnosed autism. The authors' review of 284 charts of children seen at the Regional Autism Center of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, found that more than 30% of children were using some CAM, and that 9% were using potentially harmful CAM. Having an additional diagnosis was protective against CAM use and being Latino was associated with CAM use. Having seen a prior provider regarding the child's health condition was predictive of potentially harmful CAM use. Further research is required on cultural differences in treatment decisions about CAM, as well as the reasons for the association between the use of prior providers and CAM. The high prevalence of CAM use among a recently diagnosed sample indicates that clinicians should discuss CAM early in the assessment process.
