Here are the parent ratings of the three most often used drugs and the three
most often used nutrients:
Three most Got No Got Better: No. of
used drugs Worse Effect Better Worse Cases
Ritalin 45% 26% 29% 0.7:1 3650
Benedryl 24% 51% 25% 1.1:1 2573
Risperidal 19% 28% 53% 2.8:1 401
Three most Got No Got Better: No. of
used vitamins Worse Effect Better Worse Cases
Vit. B6 & Mag. 4% 49% 46% 10:1 5284
DMG 7% 51% 42% 5.7:1 4725
Vit. C 2% 58% 39% 16:1 1408
Note: These data pertain only to behavioral effects. The drugs, but not the
vitamins, often cause significant physical problems.
Source: Advice for Parents of Young Autistic Children: Spring (2004)
By James B. Adams, Ph.D., Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D., Autism Research Institute, San Diego, California
Temple Grandin, Ph.D., Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., Autism Research Institute, San Diego, California