Counseling families who choose complementary and alternative medicine for their child with chronic illness or disability

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat chronic il lness or disability is increasing in the United States. This is especially evident among children with autism and related disorders. It may be challen ging to the practicing pediatrician to distinguish among accepted biomedica l treatments, unproven therapies, and alternative therapies. Moreover, ther e are no published guidelines regarding the use of CAM in the care of child ren with chronic illness or disability. To best serve the interests of chil dren, it is important to maintain a scientific perspective, to provide bala nced advice about therapeutic options, to guard against bias, and to establ ish and maintain a trusting relationship with families. This statement prov ides information and guidance for pediatricians when counseling families ab out CAM.