Nutritional Supplements and the Reduction of Autism

Xia RR.

Source

Department of Physical Therapy, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This report presents a case of a 9-year-old boy with autism that responded positively to nutritional supplements.

METHODS:

The supplements were dimethylglycine and a combination of a large dose of vitamin B6 (pyridoxal HCl) and magnesium. The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) was used for outcome assessment and administered by 2 of his family members both before the nutritional supplements and 5 months into the supplements, thereby referred to as pretest and post-test, respectively. Two (2) assessors independently performed evaluations. The ATEC evaluates four areas: communication, sociability, sensory/cognitive awareness, and behavior. The lower the scores are, the less severe the symptoms are.

RESULTS:

The ATEC evaluations by 2 independent assessors showed that the changes in total ATEC were from 63 at pretest to 33 at post-test, and from 64 at pretest to 30 at post-test, respectively. These changes represented reductions of 47.6% and 53.1%. A strong inter-rater reliability was demonstrated, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.988. The school teachers also noticed improvements in various areas consistent with the ATEC evaluations.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although the reported findings cannot be generalized, this case report provides useful preliminary evidence to an accumulating body of literature supporting the theory and efficacies of nutritional supplements in autism-spectrum disorders.