Why parents choose unproven autism treatments over scientific interventions

¶ … autism continues to confound researchers and psychologists, a wide range of treatment interventions do exist for children with autism spectrum disorders. Those treatment options will vary from individual to individual, and also depending on parental preferences. Interventions are usually non-invasive and include behavioral therapy. However, unscientific and pseudo-scientific solutions to autism remain disturbingly popular. Among the reasons for the continued belief in unproven treatments including misinformation, the desire to control the child's prognosis, fear of pharmaceuticals, and the cost of conventional treatments.

Misinformation may be the most common and obvious reason why some parents with autistic children latch onto pseudoscientific or unproven interventions. A cleverly placed ad in a magazine or on the Internet may prompt concerned parents to follow through with a treatment that has not been scientifically evaluated. Parents are susceptible to the promises of commercially advertised interventions, some of which may prove miraculous results.

The desire to control the child's prognosis is another reason why some parents may opt for unproven methods. Rather than heeding the advice of doctors or researchers, parents may find it easier to accept the claims of those who offer easy solutions to the complex problem of autism. Because few scientific interventions claim miracles, parents are more likely to shun them in favor of a fantastical one.