The conventional wisdom is that any kind of treatment is likely to be less effective as the child gets older, so parents of autistic children usually believe that they are working against the clock. They will not be satisfied with the ambiguities surrounding ABA, nor will they want to wait for some future research finding that might slightly increase its effectiveness. They want results now. Because there are no scientifically-validated drugs for the core symptoms of autism, they look outside the boundaries of mainstream medicine and FDA approval. Studies have found that anywhere from 28 to 54 percent of autistic children receive “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM), and these numbers probably understate CAM usageThese approaches sometimes include marijuana.
From JD Supra:
On August 1, 2018, some Minnesotans diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or autism will be able to use medical cannabis to alleviate symptoms associated with those conditions for the first time. Individuals diagnosed with either condition were eligible to begin the state’s registration and enrollment process on July 1, 2018, for access to medical cannabis beginning one month later. These most recent additions to Minnesota’s medical cannabis “qualifying conditions” list exemplify a significant shift in potential eligibility for medical cannabis. In the early years of medical cannabis, states often restricted eligibility to a short list of very severe conditions. However, several states have since expanded their qualifying conditions lists – meaning that individuals diagnosed with a wide variety of conditions may now be using medical cannabis. This raises a number of issues for employers; schools/childcare providers; and healthcare providers who are increasingly likely to have employees, students, or patients who are using or pursuing medical cannabis.
Official details here.
