Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Picture of girl in Applied Behaviour TherapyThere are many different types of alternative and complementary therapies which are used by parents and individuals with ASD. The purpose of this section is not to recommend one therapy above another nor to comment on efficacy, but rather to inform people about the range available and details where further research can be done so that an informed choice may be made when looking to access such therapies.

 

Further Reading
Understanding Controversial Therapies for Children with Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Other Learning Disabilities: A Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Lisa A. Kurtz Pub. Jessica Kingsley publishers

Animal-assisted Interventions for Individuals with Autism
Merope Pavlides Pub. Jessica Kingsley Publishers

 

Dietary and Biomedical Interventions

Please note that the IAA strongly advise that any decision to implement a dietary or biomedical intervention should be the choice of the parents/carer and person with ASD and should be done so with the input and observation of a fully qualified Doctor and Dietician.

Dietary Intervention
This intervention is based on the theory that the implementation of a gluten and casein free diet can help children with ASD. The theory behind the diet is known as the Opioid Excess Theory (Reichelt & Shattock) and is based on research suggesting that ASD is a metabolic disorder and that some children with ASD are unable to fully break down proteins from gluten and casein. In this case, the proteins, now called peptides are able to pass through the wall of the gut into the bloodstream and the central nervous system. As peptide gluteomorphine and peptide caseomorphine they are then able to travel to and act on the brain. The peptides are then excreted through urine. When the gluten and casein are removed from the diet many autistic behaviours are believed to improve.


A step on from the gf/cf (gluten free/casein free) diet is the elimination of other additives and foodstuffs which may be intolerant for the individual with ASD, although they may not test positive for an allergy. For further information on the Opioid Excess Theory and for urinary peptide testing contact Paul Shattock and Paul Whitely at ESPA Research www.espa-research.org.uk. For further information on the implementation of a gf/cf diet and elimination of other additives/foodstuffs www.autismmedical.com

Further reading
Diet Intervention and Autism – A Practical Guide for Parents
Marilyn Le Breton. Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Special Diets for Special Kids: Understanding and Implementing Special Diets to Aid in the treatment of Autism and Related Developmental Disorders
Lisa Lewis Ph.D., Pub. Future Horizons

 

Biomedical Intervention

This is based on the "belief that autism and associated ASD's are primarily medical disorders with behavioural and cognitive impairments that are by-products of the physical illnesses these children suffer. In other words, aside from rare genetic cases such as an autism derived from fragile X syndrome, these are physically ill children with real medical disorders. Since they are physically ill, they need bio-medical intervention to maximise their healing potential." Jaquelyn McCandless, MD


For further information on biomedical interventions

  • Defeat Autism Now (DAN) Protocol www.autism.com
  • Pfeiffer Treatment Center www.hriptc.org
  • The Autism File www.autismfile.com
  • Kirkman Laboratories www.kirkmangroup.com
  • National Vaccination Information Center www.909shot.com
  • Dublin base chelation clinic www.chelation-ireland.com
  • ESPA Research Unit www.espa-research.org.uk

Further reading
Children with Starving Brains: A Medical Treatment Guide for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Jaquelyn McCandless, MD. Pub. Bramble Books

Source Page: http://www.autismsupport.ie/about-autism/alternative-and-complementary-therapies/