TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring experiences of vaccine-related and alternative treatments for individuals with autism
T2 - a qualitative study
AU - Jonkman, Kim
AU - Livanou, Maria
AU - Alma, Manna
AU - Benard, Lotte
AU - Begeer, Sander
AU - Back, Elisa
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by a ZonMW Research grant (The Netherlands) [ 636340005 ], by the Senior Research Advancement Fund/Research Development Allowance, School of Law, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, Kingston University, UK and by funding from the Ministry of Health , wellbeing and sports in the Netherlands 16–4067-26061 . Special thanks to Elijah Delsink for putting alternative treatments for autism on the governmental research agenda in the Netherlands. Results from this study have partially been published in Jonkman, Wevers, Benard, Staal, and Begeer ( Jonkman et al., 2021 ). We have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors
PY - 2023/8
Y1 - 2023/8
N2 - Some alternative treatments wrongly suggest that routine childhood vaccines cause autism resulting in vaccine skepticism and false claims about curing autism. In the present study we explore the experiences of vaccine-related and alternative treatments of autistic individuals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with autistic adults (n = 3), parents of autistic children (n = 5) and parents of autistic adults (n = 5). Thematic analysis showed five themes: (1) reasons for choosing alternative treatment, (2) treatment content, (3) experiences with alternative care, (4) outcomes of the vaccine-related treatment and (5) future directions for treating autism. Both positive (holistic approach, time and attention) and negative aspects (false claims about vaccines and curability of autism) were found. Improved support and guidelines could reduce ineffective and harmful alternative treatments for autism.
AB - Some alternative treatments wrongly suggest that routine childhood vaccines cause autism resulting in vaccine skepticism and false claims about curing autism. In the present study we explore the experiences of vaccine-related and alternative treatments of autistic individuals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with autistic adults (n = 3), parents of autistic children (n = 5) and parents of autistic adults (n = 5). Thematic analysis showed five themes: (1) reasons for choosing alternative treatment, (2) treatment content, (3) experiences with alternative care, (4) outcomes of the vaccine-related treatment and (5) future directions for treating autism. Both positive (holistic approach, time and attention) and negative aspects (false claims about vaccines and curability of autism) were found. Improved support and guidelines could reduce ineffective and harmful alternative treatments for autism.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85165248128&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102204
DO - 10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102204
M3 - Article
SN - 1750-9467
VL - 106
JO - Research In Autism Spectrum Disorders
JF - Research In Autism Spectrum Disorders
M1 - 102204
ER -
