Conceptual Framework – Roy’s Theory of Adaptation Jaskirin Mand, MS Dr. Elizabeth Hartman Use of Beneficial Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Children with Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder is a chronic developmental disorder, which is characterized by deficits in socialization and communication and the presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors or circumscribed interests. Symptoms of autism are usually recognized in the first two years of life. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is a brain disorder that is manifested as an ongoing pattern of inattention or hyperactivity – impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. Symptoms can occur as early as 3 to 6-year-old children and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Currently there are no cures for autism or attention deficit – hyperactivity disorder. For ADHD, stimulants such as methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) and amphetamines (Adderall, Dexedrine) are the most common and effective treatments. Psychotropic drugs such as risperidone and aripiprazole are used to treat irritability and hyperactivity, and haloperidol can be used for the treatment of negative behavioral symptoms in autism. Complementary medicine describes interventions that are implemented along with conventional medicine. Alternative medicine describes treatments used instead of conventional medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine treatments include: natural products, deep breathing, yoga or tai chi, chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, meditation, music therapy, and pet therapy. Purpose: Examine the effectiveness of CAM therapy on both ADHD and autism and to see if it is a beneficial alternative. This will explore several types of therapies such as yoga, music therapy, physical therapy and vitamin therapy to determine the effectiveness as single solution or in combination with medication. Results & Discussion: A review of literature found that many of these CAM therapies provide positive outcomes for children with autism or ADHD. The use of complementary and alternative medicine has become popular among children who have autism and ADHD. Generally, the first line of therapy for ADHD is stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or amphetamines (Adderall). Even though stimulants are relatively safe and work well they have side effects such as: decreased appetite, insomnia, and weight lose. Using treatments such as physical exercise/ physical therapy or elimination diets can be an effective alternative or can be used adjacent to stimulants. Atypical and typical antipsychotics can be used in children with autism to treat symptoms of irritability, aggression, hyperactivity, anxiety and insomnia. There are many parents who may choose not to use antipsychotic medications due to potential side effects. In this case, music therapy might be a suitable alternative or can also be used adjacent to low dose medications. Conceptual Framework – Roy’s Theory of Adaptation Nursing Implications: By understanding the effectiveness of CAM therapies such as music therapy for autism and exercise and dietary modifications in ADHD, nurses and health providers can provide parents with additional information on these therapies. Before starting children on medications, nurses and providers should look into alternative therapies that are known to be effective in these disorders. Background/Significance: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) describes a wide range of modalities and interventions to treat and prevent disease or to improve and maintain good  health. In disorders such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), parents are more likely to choose unreported CAM therapies such as vitamin therapy, physical therapy, music therapy and yoga. CAM treatments are starting to become more popular in the pediatric population. However, it’s not a discussion that most parents have with their doctor.  Methods: The articles for this Integrative Literature Review were collected from the following databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, Psych INFO, and Academic Search Premier. The search terms included: CAM therapy, autism, ADHD, music therapy, dietary interventions, and exercise. Conclusion: This integrated review examined the different complementary and alternative therapies that are used in children with autism and ADHD. Complementary and alternative therapies such as music therapy for autism and diet modification and physical therapy/exercise in children with ADHD have been shown to be effective. There still needs to be more studies conducted to generalize results. Future studies should focus on other kinds of diets and vitamin therapy in children with ADHD. I think a major focus on future studies is finding a larger sample size in order to generalize results. References: DeFilippis, M., & Wagner, K. D. (2016). Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adolescents. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 46(2), 18–41. LaGasse, A. B. (2014). Effects of a music therapy group intervention on enhancing social skills in children with autism. Journal of music therapy, 51(3), 250-275. doi:10.1093/jmt/thu012, National Institute of Mental Health. (2016). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Retrieved from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtmlr Snyder, J., & Brown, P. (2012). Complementary and alternative medicine in children: an analysis of the recent literature. Current opinion in pediatrics, 24(4), 539-546. doi: 10.1097/MOP.0b013e328355a214