Survey on Autism Treatments for Seizures
Author Information
Author(s): Richard E. Frye, Sreenivasula Swapna, James B. Adams
Primary Institution: University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, USA
Hypothesis
What are the perceived effects of traditional and non-traditional treatments for seizures in children with autism spectrum disorder?
Conclusion
Parents perceive that while antiepileptic drugs improve seizure control, they may worsen other clinical factors in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Supporting Evidence
- Parents reported that antiepileptic drugs improve seizure control but worsen other clinical factors.
- Non-antiepileptic treatments like the ketogenic diet were perceived to improve both seizures and other clinical factors.
- 77% of the children in the study were male, consistent with the general ASD population.
Takeaway
This study asked parents about treatments for kids with autism and seizures, finding that some medicines help with seizures but can make other problems worse.
Methodology
An online survey was conducted to gather parental perceptions on the effectiveness of various treatments for children with autism and seizures.
Potential Biases
Parents using non-traditional therapies may have biases against traditional treatments due to adverse effects.
Limitations
The study relies on parental perceptions, which may not accurately reflect clinical outcomes, and does not verify ASD diagnoses.
Participant Demographics
77% of the children were male, with a mean age of 13 years for those with clinical seizures.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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