Such fads are common because desperate parents are easy prey. There's interest in it because it seems to work, and you have the tools to look at it now. The parents were a big factor in the NIH picking up on this so quickly. . . . Most doctors are skeptical, saying they have not seen results among their patients and warning of possible side effects. Tuchman cautioned that early study results have debunked secretin.
Parents report mixed results.
Stacey and Ed Hoaglund of Cooper City keep a careful diary of their son's improvements following treatment. We thought it was the magic bullet, but we would never do it again,'' says Karp. Many doctors like Tuchman caution parents that the only proven treatment is intense therapy. Anything that takes resources away from providing that therapy, at least 20 hours a week, may be a mistake. Other doctors argue that certain treatments may work for some kids and not for others.