Alternative therapies for developmental and learning disabilities
Alternative therapies for developmental and learning disabilities include a range of practices used in the treatment of
Treatment needs
There are a number of non-standard treatments for developmental and learning disabilities. There is a call for alternative therapies particularly when a condition lacks a reliable remediation. For example, there is no cure for autism; the main goals of mainstream behavioral and medical management are to lessen associated deficits and family distress, and to increase quality of life and functional independence.
Prevalence
From 12% to 64% of families of a child with ADHD use an alternative therapy, with the lower estimates likely come from narrower definitions of
Evidence basis
Complementary and alternative medicine often lacks support in scientific evidence, so its safety and efficacy are often questionable.
While some experts encourage parents to be open-minded, others argue that treatments and services with no proven efficacy have opportunity costs because they displace the opportunity to participate in efficient treatments and services.[9] According to Scott O. Lilienfeld,
many individuals who spend large amounts of time and money on ineffective treatments may be left with precious little of either. As a result, they may forfeit the opportunity to obtain treatments that could be more helpful. Thus, even ineffective treatments that are by themselves innocuous can indirectly produce negative consequences.[10]
There is often little or no scientific evidence for effectiveness of alternative therapies.
Precautions
Because many alternative therapies have not been evaluated in scientific studies there may be no guarantee for their safety. In most countries, with the exception of osteopathy and chiropractic, complementary medical disciplines have not been state registered. This means there is no law to forbid anyone from setting up as a practitioner even with no qualification nor experience.
See also
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder management– Practices with established treatment efficacy for ADHD
- List of alternative therapies for developmental and learning disabilities
References
- ^ PMID 18061787.
- PMID 17967921.
- Lay summary in: "New AAP reports help pediatricians identify and manage autism earlier". American Academy of Pediatrics (Press release). 2007-10-29. Archived from the original on 2007-11-01.
- ISBN 0-8058-4192-X.
- S2CID 145167461.
- S2CID 27065249.
- PMID 12612240.
- S2CID 9841086.
- S2CID 35508954.
- ISBN 0-8058-4192-X..
- ^ Lilienfeld S. O. (2002). "Our Raison d'Être". The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice. 1 (1).
- ^ Lack of scientific evidence for CAM:
- Angley M, Semple S, Hewton C, Paterson F, McKinnon R (2007). "Children and autism—part 2—management with complementary medicines and dietary interventions" (PDF). Australian Family Physician. 36 (10): 827–30. PMID 17925903. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2007-12-01.
- Herbert JD, Sharp IR, Gaudiano BA (2002). "Separating fact from fiction in the etiology and treatment of autism: a scientific review of the evidence". Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice. 1 (1): 23–43.
- Schechtman MA (2007). "Scientifically unsupported therapies in the treatment of young children with autism spectrum disorders". Pediatric Annals. 36 (8): 497–8, 500–2, 504–5. PMID 17849608.
- Angley M, Semple S, Hewton C, Paterson F, McKinnon R (2007). "Children and autism—part 2—management with complementary medicines and dietary interventions" (PDF). Australian Family Physician. 36 (10): 827–30.