Of every 110 children in the United Sates, 1 has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both parents and healthcare providers can be confused by the range of treatments or therapies available for the varying disorders known as ASDs. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed a consumer guide, "Therapies for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review of Research for Parents and Caregivers" (http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-for-guides-reviews-and-repo), in an effort to provide timely and useful information to assist with treatment and medication choices.

The guide is based on a review of 159 different research studies related to ASDs and has been developed to assist in identifying credible and appropriate treatments for individual children. Topics include "How do I make sense of all the different treatments?" "What can research tell me?" "Medications," and a review of the costs of various therapies. A research review, consumer guide, and clinician guide are also available. Information is available as an audio file or in PDF format.

Information about ASDs provided by the AHRQ can assist nurse educators, nursing students, and practicing nurses in understanding an important healthcare issue facing parents and childcare providers. With this information, we can hopefully offer some assistance to parents struggling with doing what is best for their child.

Source: AHRQ. Consumer guide. Therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders: A review of the research for parents and caregivers. June 30, 2011. Available at http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-forguides-reviews-and-r. Accessed September 9, 2011.

Submitted by: Robin E. Pattillo, PhD, RN, CNL, news editor at [email protected].