Autism refers to a spectrum of developmental disorders that includes deficits in social, cognitive and communicative skills. Typically diagnosed before three years of age, these disorders affect roughly 1 in 1,000 children, according to a 2002 review study published in the journal “Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice.” The study also notes that autism has no cure or clear etiology, so the mysterious and emotionally devastating nature of these disorders makes it ripe for claims of miracle cures and treatments. The scientific community considers such claims dubious when they lack empirical support as demonstrated by rigorous scientific study. While current evidence suggests that some educational, pharmacological and behavioral treatments can be helpful, many unproven, unregulated and potentially harmful treatments persist.
Facilitated Communication
Proponents of facilitated communication claim that autism merely represents an inability of the affected child to communicate rather than a neurological deficit, and that those children can communicate effectively when a facilitator physically moves the child’s hands to compose messages. Despite dozens of peer-reviewed studies that have debunked both the underlying theory and the methods of facilitated communication--evidence suggests that the facilitators, rather than the autistic children, were the source of the messages--this treatment continues to be available, according to the 2002 review study from “Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice.”
Sensory Motor Therapies
Like facilitated communication, these treatments operate under the premise that many individuals with autism experience difficulties with sensory motor faculties. The 2002 review study notes that these treatments--such as auditory integration training, sensory integration training, and the Monitored Multi-cortical Activities for Additional Pathways and Synapses treatment--have not demonstrated scientific efficacy.
Psychotherapies
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry announced in 1999 that “the usefulness of psychotherapy in autism is very limited.” Further, according to the 2002 review study, the psychoanalytic theory of the etiology autism disorders has not withstood scientific criticism. These therapies include psychoanalysis, holding therapy, and options therapy.
Dubious Medical Treatments
Many medical treatments promise to significantly treat or cure autism. Although many medications have shown scientific efficacy in treating autism, promoters of various alternative medicines make claims beyond the scope of available evidence, according to a report by The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 1999. These treatments include secretin, gluten/casein free diets, vitamin B6/magnesium therapy, and dimethlglycine, according to the 2002 review study. A 2009 article series in the Chicago Tribune detailed the potential for great harm in dubious medical treatments such as Lupron and Chelation therapy. Consult a health care professional for the most accurate information about a given medical treatment.
References
- "The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice"; Separating Fact from Fiction in the Etiology and Treatment of Autism; 2002
- "Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry"; Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Autism; 1999
- “The Chicago Tribune”; Watchdog: Dubious Medicine; 2009
