Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41196477›Full record

ArticleJournal of autism and developmental disorders2025

Factors Associated With the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Autistic Preschoolers.

Steven A Rosenberg, Brady L Holst, Sarah J Schmiege, Ann Reynolds, Nuri Reyes, Matthew Bolt, Kristina Hightshoe, Lisa A Croen, Julie Daniels, Tessa L Crume and 3 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Steven A RosenbergColorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4344-3608
Brady L HolstColorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-9810-9154
Sarah J SchmiegeColorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA. SARAH.SCHMIEGE@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0729-6556
Ann ReynoldsColorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Nuri ReyesColorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Matthew BoltColorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2032-4021
Kristina HightshoeColorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5109-7437
Lisa A CroenDivision of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC), Pleasanton, CA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7849-9428
Julie DanielsUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Tessa L CrumeColorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Susan E LevyCenter for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Kathleen C ThomasUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1611-5393
Cordelia R RosenbergColorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.

Funding

NCBDD CDC HHS U01000746NCBDD CDC HHS U01000748NCBDD CDC HHS U01000749NCBDD CDC HHS U01000750NCBDD CDC HHS U01000752NCBDD CDC HHS U10DD000901
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeComplementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are treatment approaches that are not typically part of conventional medical care. This study examined factors associated with the use of CAM by autistic preschoolers.

methodsChildren aged 2-5 years were enrolled in a multi-site case control study in six areas throughout the United States (California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania). Mothers reported types of conventional services, prescription medications, and CAM ever used by their child. Analyses included 778 preschoolers classified with autism after a comprehensive evaluation. Factors associated with CAM use were examined using Poisson regression.

resultsCAM was used by a third of autistic preschoolers in our sample. The predominant forms of CAM used were special diets, particularly gluten or casein free diets, followed by dietary supplements. Preschoolers using higher numbers of conventional services and having higher levels of behavioral and emotional problems had an increased probability of CAM usage.

conclusionThese findings suggest that CAM is most often used in conjunction with standard treatments; thus, CAM use is primarily "complementary" rather than "alternative." Since CAM are commonly used but not well established for the treatment of autism and co-occurring conditions, this information can help providers promote awareness of evidence-based treatments of autism while engaging in shared decision making with caregivers when developing treatment plans.

Indexed as

AutismComplementary and alternative medicinePreschool children

Identifiers

PMID41196477

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.