Complementary alternative medicine for children with autism: a physician survey.

Lancioni et al. (2009) mailed a short survey to U.S. physicians who care for children with autism. They asked which complementary or alternative treatments the doctors tell families to try, which ones they warn against, and which ones they stay silent on.

The survey listed common CAM choices like multivitamins, special diets, chelation, and delaying vaccines.

Half of the doctors said they encourage multivitamins. Most firmly discourage chelation and vaccine delays. Many stay neutral on special diets.

The paper simply tallies the answers; it does not test if the advice is right or wrong.

Höfer et al. (2017) later pooled 20 studies and found that up to 95 % of autistic youth already use some CAM, mainly vitamins or diets. That review includes the 2009 physician data, showing the two views—family use and doctor advice—sit side by side.

Senel (2010) asked Turkish parents about the same treatments one year later. Parents reported more benefits than harms, even for risky options like chelation. The matching topic but opposite respondent group gives a mirror image, not a clash.

Saral et al. (2023) recently found 88 % CAM use among U.S. families, a jump from the 74 % Dib et al. (2007) reported just two years before the physician survey. The trend line shows families moving faster than doctors, highlighting why clear counselling matters.

You will meet families already giving vitamins, trying diets, or wondering about chelation. This survey reminds you that physicians are split on what to endorse. Use the list as a quick safety map: feel confident supporting multivitamins, steer families away from chelation, and always ask, “What else are you doing?” so you can coordinate care and watch for interactions.