Nonstandard therapies in the developmental disabilities
G. S. Golden
The complexity of management issues with regard to developmentally disabled
children has led to a broad acceptance of a number of therapeutic
approaches that purport to be effective for a wide range of problems. These
are generally empiric in origin, and the efficacy of most of them cannot be
supported by controlled research studies. In addition, there has been
little or no investigation of potential or actual side effects. Acceptance
of new therapies and validation of older approaches need to be based on
appropriately designed, controlled studies.