Approaches that are not scientifically proven to be effective and that are used in the treatment of a disease in a non-routine manner are known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Methods frequently used in our country include vitamin and mineral supplementation, dietary interventions, neurofeedback, chelation, music therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen applications.
Why do families turn to alternative therapies?
Special education programmes, which constitute the primary treatment method, yield results over the long term.
Individuals offering alternative therapies make grand promises to families, stating that they will definitively cure autism.
The treatment team may fail to provide the family with sufficient information regarding alternative therapies.
The media, and social media in particular, may bring these methods to the foreground by focusing on sensational topics in an effort to increase viewership.
Vitamins and nutritional supplements
Vitamins and nutritional supplements are among the most frequently used complementary therapies.
Vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, and magnesium are commonly used. Studies have not demonstrated any positive effect of these vitamin supplements on the core symptoms of autism.
In a well-nourished child with no documented deficiency, there is no need for additional vitamin supplementation.
Dietary interventions
The frequent occurrence of gastrointestinal problems in children diagnosed with ASD may lead families towards dietary interventions. The most commonly used are gluten-free and casein-free diets. Studies have not demonstrated any positive effect of these diets on the core symptoms of autism, such as speech and socialisation.
However, in children who have food allergies or gastrointestinal problems, such dietary interventions reduce those problems and thereby also reduce the child's distress.
Where gastrointestinal problems of this nature are not present, gluten-free or casein-free diets are not recommended.
Neurofeedback
Studies investigating the effect of this method on autism treatment have not demonstrated any positive outcome.
The risk of attributing special significance to this method and continuing to pursue it is that the time, money, and energy that would otherwise be devoted to routine special education may be diverted to this approach, and that families who have been given great promises will experience disappointment.
Chelation (heavy metal detoxification)
Chelating agents bind to heavy metals and facilitate their excretion via the kidneys. There is no scientific study demonstrating a positive effect of chelation in autism.
On the contrary, in children who undergo chelation, iron and calcium — which are essential for the body — may also be lost.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Proponents of this method claim that autism can be treated using high-pressure air.
The European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine has declared the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in autism to be unacceptable.
Animal-assisted therapy
The aim is for the child to bond with an animal, develop affection for it, and be able to generalise what they learn from that relationship. Some studies have shown improvements in children's mood, increased social awareness, and increased use of language.
However, it is important to be aware that there is insufficient evidence that this treatment leads to improvement in the core symptoms of autism.
Provided that core treatments such as special education programmes are in place and the family has adequate resources and motivation, there is no objection to this method.
Music therapy
The aim is to achieve social interaction through non-verbal means. Studies conducted in small groups have shown increases in joint attention and gesture use.
It is not a primary or priority treatment for autism. However, dancing together at home to music that the child enjoys can contribute to social development through both eye contact and shared enjoyment.
Conclusion
The fact that those who apply the aforementioned complementary and alternative therapies provide families with information to the effect that these methods cure autism may cause these children to move away from the special education programmes and other supportive methods they need to receive, and may lead to great disappointment, financial loss, and loss of motivation and time for families.