Parents' views and experiences about complementary and alternative medicine treatments for their children with autistic spectrum disorder.

The team asked Turkish parents of kids with autism what extra treatments they try.

Parents wrote open answers about vitamins, special diets, sensory play, pills, and chelation.

No one checked the kids before or after; the study just kept the parents’ own words.

Most parents said the extras helped more than they hurt.

Vitamins and diets were the top picks, followed by sensory rooms and supplements.

Only a few parents told stories of bad side effects.

Höfer et al. (2017) pooled 20 papers and saw the same pattern: 28–95 % of families use CAM.

Dib et al. (2007) and Saral et al. (2023) also asked parents and got 74 % and 88 % use—numbers keep climbing, but the story stays the same.

Höfer et al. (2019) in Germany added one new twist: even parents who have not tried CAM yet say they are open to it, so the trend is unlikely to fade.

Families are already mixing ABA with diets, oils, and pills. Ask open questions at every intake: “What else are you doing for your child?” Record each item, check for clashes with prescribed meds, and stay neutral while you explain what has solid proof. This builds trust and keeps the child safe.