 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Jennifer A. Pinto-Martin, PhD, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, NEB; 420 Guardian Drive, Room 436, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-898-4726, pinto@nursing.upenn.edu, David S Mandell, ScD, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Susan E Levy, MD, Children's Seashore House, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3405 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, and Rick Ittenbach, PhD, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, 3535 Market St., Phialdelphia, PA 19104.
The increase in the rate of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)has sparked a parallel interest in services and treatments for children with these disorders. Since Kanner’s first descriptions of the disorder, a host of different treatment modalities have been prescribed, yet few have been tested in a systematic, controlled fashion. Given the lack of agreement concerning the best combination of treatment approaches and expected outcomes, it is not surprising that many families turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)strategies. The goal of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of use of different types of 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, PA, found that over 30% of children were using some CAM, and 9% were using potentially harmful CAM. Having an additional diagnosis was protective against, 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 suggests that clinicians should discuss CAM early in the assessment process.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Child Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.