Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine In Children with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities: Associations with Ethnicity, Child Co-Morbid Symptoms and Parental Stress

Background:  Families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently engage in the use of complementary and alternative Medicine (CAM). Little information is available about frequency/types of CAM used in an inner city, ethnically diverse population and associations with specific child co-morbid symptoms or parental stress.

Objectives: To examine the use of CAM therapy in families of children with ASD, compared to families of children with other developmental disabilities (DD) and to assess the relationship of CAM with gastrointestinal (GI), sleeping and behavioral problems and parent stress. 

Methods: Cross sectional study with structured interview in 50 children with ASD and 50 children with DD, matched by age/gender. Interview included: CAM questionnaire, GI Questionnaire, Child's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, Aberrant Behavior Checklist and Parenting Stress Index. Statistical analysis included chi-square, t test, correlations and Logistic Regression.

Results:  Mean age 8 3yr, 15% White, 44% Hispanic and 24% AfricanAmerican.  CAM use was reported in 67% of the ASD group and 22% of the DD (p<0.001). Children with ASD presented more co-morbidities such as GI (66% vs. 40% p=0.04), sleeping (78% vs.33% p<0.001)and behavioral problems (78% vs.33% p<0.001) and their parents reported greater stress (45% vs.22% p=0.003). Mothers born in the US were more likely to use CAM (65% vs.40% p=0.002) and Latino mothers were more likely to use fewer types of CAM (0.4 0.6 vs.1 1.8 p=0.01). In the ASD group CAM use was related to child's irritability (r=0.4 p=0.002), food allergies (24% vs.0% p=0.01), use of laxatives (r=0.4 p=0.003) and parental stress (r=0.2 p=0.04). In the DD group CAM use was not associated with child specific problems or parental stress. CAM use was not related to sleep problems or maternal age. The association between CAM use and ASD diagnosis persisted after adjusting for demographics, child-comorbidities and parental stress (OR 4.7 95%CI 1.3-18.2).

Conclusions:  : Families of children with ASD were more likely to use CAM than families of children with other DD and the use was related to child behavioral problems, food allergies, use of laxatives and parental stress. Mothers born in the US were more likely to use CAM and Latino families used fewer types of CAM therapies.