List of alternative therapies for developmental and learning disabilities explained

This list covers alternative therapies for developmental and learning disabilities. None of these therapies are supported by scientific evidence.

Bioenergy therapies

• Bi-Aura therapy^[1]
• Craniosacral therapy
• Distant healing
• Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Balancing Technique
• magnetic field therapy
• therapeutic touch (TT) According to the American medical association, therapeutic touch is "little more than quackery".^[2]
• Thought Field Therapy (TFT)
• http://www.challengingbehavior.org/do/resources/documents/rph_program_practices.pdf program practices for social development^[3]
• Alexander technique
• Chiropractic
• Feldenkreis
• Osteopathy
• Physiotherapy and occupational therapy for learning disabilities
• Pilates
• Yoga
• Zero Balancing

Dietary treatments

• additive-free diets^[4]
• Antifungal medication
• Ayurvedic medicine
• B6-magnesium treatment
• Chelation therapy
• fatty acids^[5]
• Feingold Diet
• food allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities (diet base)
• Gluten-free, casein-free diet (GFCF)
• glyconutritional supplement
• herbal medicine
• iron
• lutein-free diet
• megavitamins
• refined sugar-free diet
• secretin treatment
• trace minerals, trace elements
• vaccination (avoidance)
• zinc

Eclectic approaches

• Sunflower therapy^[6]

Hearing therapies

• Auditory integration training (AIT), auditory processing training
• Mozart Effect
• music therapy
• Spectral Activated Music of Optimal Natural Structure (SAMONAS)
• The Tomatis Method^[7]

Holistic healing

• Applied Kinesiology
• crystal therapy
• flower remedies
• homeopathy
• naturopathy

Medical interventions

• anti-motion sickness medication and other types for Vestibular Dysfunction

Movement-based therapies

• Brushing technique
• Developmental Exercise Programme (inhibition of primitive reflexes)
• Doman method^[8]
• (Psychomotor) patterning
• Dance Movement Therapy
• Physio-Neuro Therapy^[9]

Pedagogical approaches and policies

• Full inclusion
• Gentle Teaching
• Person Centered Approach (PCA)

Psychosocial interventions

• Floortime (aka DIR)
• holding therapy
• TEACCH

Stress management

• caffeine-free diet
• Laughter therapy
• meditation
• positive thinking
• stress management

Student profiling

• Learning styles

Technological interventions

• Biofeedback
• Facilitated Communication

Several scientific studies have shown that facilitated communication is quackery by proving that what the Autistic patient "says" is influenced entirely by the facilitater.^[10]

• Fast ForWord

Touch therapies

• acupressure
• acupuncture
• aromatherapy
• Bowen Technique
• Brushing and joint compression
• Emotional Freedom Technique
• massage
• reflexology
• Reiki

Training methods

• Positive behavior support (PBS)
• Sensory integration therapy (SIT)
• Whole Language

Visual approaches

• Asfedic Tuning (TintaVision)
• Coloured overlays
• Dunlop test
• Harris Filters
• Intuitive Colorimeter
• Irlen Syndrome
• Optim-Eyes
• Prism glasses
• Tinted lenses, ChromaGen lenses
• Visual Tracking Magnifier

Emerging therapies

• Dolphin Assisted Therapy
• Hypnotherapy
• Light and Colour Therapy

External links

• http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-autism-science-nov23,0,6519404,full.story

Notes and References

1. Book: Jacobson , JW . Foxx M . Mulick JA . Controversial Therapies for Developmental Disabilities . Erlbaum . 2005 . New Jersey . 1–505 . 0-8058-4192-X.
2. Web site: Webglimpse.cgi | Quackwatch.
3. addressing challenging behavior
4. Book: Silver , Larry B . Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment For Health and Mental Health Professionals . American Psychiatric Pub inc. . 2003 . Washington, DC . 247 . 1-58562-131-5.
5. Book: Reid , Gavin . Dyslexia A Complete Guide for Parents . John Wiley and Sons . 2005 . Chichester . 213 . 0-470-86312-9.
6. Bull, L.. Sunflower therapy for children with specific learning difficulties (dyslexia): A randomised, controlled trial . Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice . 1 . 15–24 . 2007 . 10.1016/j.ctcp.2006.07.003. 13. 17210507 .
7. Book: Chivers , Maria . Dyslexia and Alternative Therapies . Jessica Kingsley Publishers . 2006 . London . 144 . 978-1-84310-378-3.
8. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Doman-Delacato treatment of neurologically handicapped children. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1968; 49:183-186.
9. http://www.americanhealthjournal.com/brain-videos/learning-disabilities-video/ American Health Journal
10. Web site: Facilitated Communication | Quackwatch. 16 September 2004.