Survey on different intervention modalities used for Iraqi children with ASD in clinical population

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate different treatment modalities used for Iraqi children with ASD in the clinical population.

Methodes: A six intervention modalities are included in the questionnaire, namly: dietary intervention, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), neurofeedback, treatment protocols, drug and behavioural therapy. The included interventions were selected based on initial surveys and our clinical observation.

Results: In a total of 70 children with ASD (age range= 2-16 years, mean= 6.8, SD= 2.96), behavioural therapy is the most frequently used intervention in all participants. Drug treatment accounted for about 37% of the participants, while dietary interventions have been tried for about one third of the participants (34%) in some points of their lives. Protocols are used for 14.5%. Neurofeedback and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are used for only 2% of the children.

Conclusions: Behavioural therapy is the most commonly used intervention, followed by drug therapy and dietary intervention. The minority of participants are using HBOT, neurofeedback and protocols.