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| Effects of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) on Behavior and ABA Service Delivery: Helpful or Harmful |
| Monday, May 29, 2017 |
| 10:00 AM–11:50 AM |
| Convention Center Mile High Ballroom 4E/F |
| Area: AUT/BPN; Domain: Service Delivery |
| Chair: Bradley G. Frieswyk (BGF Performance Systems, LLC) |
| Discussant: John W. Eshleman (The Chicago School of Professional Psychology) |
| CE Instructor: John W. Eshleman, Ed.D. |
| Abstract: In addition to Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy, many parents explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Often parents’ research consists of comparing notes with other parents or individuals, in person or on the internet. For some, it is hard to understand that a recounting of experience is not the same as evidence from a scientifically designed study. In such promotion, harmful effects are often ignored in favor of hopeful outcomes. Autism Speaks reports that between 30 and 95 percent of children with ASD have been provided with some CAM treatment. As ABA providers, we are often not consulted about CAM treatments.
Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug, with significant adverse side effects, that suppresses the adrenal glands. Some neurologists prescribe prednisone to treat Autism Spectrum Disorders, specifically for language recovery in children with signs of language regression. This application, and the speculation that it could develop into a treatment for ASD, is based on Prednisone’s noted effects on speech recovery when used to treat seizures and its effectiveness as a treatment for neuroinflamation. After consulting with a neurologist, the client’s parents decided to begin a three-month, intensive, prednisone treatment, during the course of ABA Therapy, with a hope of faster language acquisition. Although the client had been receiving ABA Therapy for six months before the start of this treatment, the parents were advised not to consult with or inform their child’s BCBA and/or therapists, so that the ABA providers would remain unbiased in noticing positive or negative effects during and after treatment. Data will be presented on receptive and expressive language and behaviors targeted for reduction, as well as narratives on the physical and other side-effects. |
| Instruction Level: Basic |
| Keyword(s): ABA Therapy, CAM, prednisone |
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The Familiar Dilemma of Parent Initiated Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Conjunction With ABA Therapy |
| NICOLE ANN CISSELL (BGF Performance Systems, LLC), Amy DeRusha (BGF Performance Systems), Bradley G. Frieswyk (BGF Performance Systems, LLC) |
| Abstract: In addition to Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy, many parents explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Often parents research consists of comparing notes with other parents or individuals, in person or on the internet. For some, it is hard to understand that a recounting of experience is not the same as evidence from a scientifically designed study. In such promotion, harmful effects are often ignored in favor of hopeful outcomes. Autism Speaks reports that between 30 and 95 percent of children with ASD have been provided with some CAM treatment. As ABA providers, we are often not consulted about CAM treatments, although they can have a profound effect on the efficacy and implementation of ABA Therapy. |
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Observations and Data From an ABA Provider Before, During, and After Prednisone Treatment |
| AMY DERUSHA (BGF Performance Systems), Nicole Ann Cissell (BGF Performance Systems, LLC), Bradley G. Frieswyk (BGF Performance Systems, LLC) |
| Abstract: This single case study explores the effects of an intensive prednisone therapy on the behavior of a child with ASD who is receiving ABA Therapy. Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug, with significant adverse side effects, that suppresses the adrenal glands. Some neurologists prescribe prednisone to treat Autism Spectrum Disorders, specifically for language recovery in children with signs of language regression. This application, and the speculation that it could develop into a treatment for ASD, is based on prednisones noted effects on speech recovery when used to treat seizures and its effectiveness as a treatment for neuroinflamation. After consulting with a neurologist, the clients parents decided to begin a three-month, intensive, Prednisone treatment, during the course of ABA Therapy, with a hope of faster language acquisition. Although the client had been receiving ABA Therapy for six months before the start of this treatment, the parents were advised not to consult with or inform their childs BCBA and/or therapists, so that the ABA providers would remain unbiased in noticing positive or negative effects during and after treatment. Data will be presented on receptive and expressive language and behaviors targeted for reduction, as well as narratives on the physical and other side-effects. |
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