Using evidence-based medicine to choose effective biomedical treatments for autism and ADHD by Dan Rossignol, MD

Dr. Rossignol will review over 20 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on effective biomedical treatments (including nutritional supplementation) in both autism and ADHD. Certainly, laboratory testing can be helpful in guiding treatment, but many symptoms of these disorders can be treated with supplements that have proven effectiveness compared to a placebo. We will review treatments for attention, concentration, hyperactivity, speech, self-stimulatory behavior, insomnia, social interaction, eye contact, and toe-walking that all can be potentially improved with supplementation. This lecture will also review novel treatments such as nicotine, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, naltrexone, music therapy, neurofeedback, elimination diets, alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, anti-inflammatory treatments, glutamate antagonists, oxytocin, homeopathy, vision therapy, massage, acupuncture, and auditory integration training.

Dan Rossignol, MD received his Doctorate of Medicine at the Medical College of Virginia and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Virginia. He is now a physician at the International Child Development Resource Center (ICDRC) in Melbourne, FL. The father of two children with autism, ages eight and six, he has written several papers, including four on the use of HBOT in autism, one on the use of urinary porphyrins data in autism, one on mitochondrial dysfunction in autism, and a review article on biomedical treatments for autism and ADHD.