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December 11, 2009
Alternative therapies seen as getting undeserved credit.
The Los Angeles Times (12/7, Tsouderos, Callahan) reports that stories of "children who could suddenly speak" are, "for many parents...more persuasive than what experts say."
Nevertheless, "in evaluating a therapy, the challenge is determining how much, if any, of the progress can be credited to the treatment," because, "over time, children with autism do develop, said" pediatric neurologist and autism expert Max Wiznitzer, MD." In fact, "between 10% and 20% of children with autism who were diagnosed early may make so much progress that they are indistinguishable from peers," and whether or not they are "undergoing alternative therapies," said Susan Levy, MD, of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, progress which parents may attribute to alternative therapies.
Related Links:
- Autism therapies can get undeserved credit
," Trine Tsouderos and Patricia Callahan, Los Angeles Times, December 7, 2009.
Posted by admin at December 11, 2009 12:52 AM