CEASE therapy

CEASE (Complete Elimination of Autistic Spectrum Expression) therapy is used by naturopaths (particularly homeopaths) who claim, without evidence, that it can treat or even cure people with autism. It involves a mixture of supplements, high-dose vitamin C, 'orthomolecular support', dietary restrictions and homeopathy and was developed by the late Tinus Smits - a Dutch doctor. Smits claimed to have used it to treat over 300 children with autism. The therapy became more notable in 2017/2018 because of regulatory action taken by professional bodies in The Netherlands, UK and Canada following a series of complaints about unfounded claims.

Smits in the book "Autism Beyond Despair - CEASE Therapy"[1] stated that autistic children should never be vaccinated.

In October 2017 the Dutch Advertising Code Foundation (Stichting Reclame Code) found that the official website for CEASE therapy was in breach of advertising regulations.[2][3]

In the United Kingdom, the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) placed some requirements on the Society of Homeopaths (SoH) when they reaccredited their members' register under their Accredited Register scheme, due to concerns about the way in which members marketed CEASE therapy. The PSA asked the SoH to confirm "what action it will take to ensure children are safe as a condition of its re-accreditation".[4] In June 2018 the Society of Homeopaths published a position statement advising their members not to imply any cure of autism when marketing CEASE therapy.[5] It has been estimated that more than 120 homeopaths are offering CEASE in the UK though not all are SoH members.[4] In July 2015 the UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found Teddington Homeopathy's marketing of CEASE therapy in breach of the Advertising Standards Code.[6] The following month the ASA added the company to its list of non-compliant online advertisers for "making unproven efficacy claims for CEASE therapy".[7] In July 2018 the ASA upheld an adjudication against Bubbling Life's website, determining that the claims relating to CEASE, vaccination, autism and ASD could discourage customers from seeking appropriate advice or treatment.[8]

In British Columbia, Canada, the Board of the College of Naturopathic Physicians investigated three CEASE practitioners [9] following complaints from the public and subsequently "determined that naturopathic doctors in British Columbia must not advertise or offer CEASE therapy".[10] As well as this prohibition the College's updated position statements also clarify that naturopathic doctors in BC must not offer anti-vaccination materials or advice (including on social media) and must not imply that vaccination causes autism.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Tinus., Smits, (2010). Autism : beyond despair : CEASE therapy. Owens, Tim. [Haarlem, The Netherlands]: Emryss Publishers. ISBN 9076189285. OCLC 654303657.
  2. ↑ "2017/00594". Stichting Reclame. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "UK Homeopathy Regulation: More on CEASE Therapy". UK Homeopathy Regulation. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  4. 1 2 "More than 120 homeopaths trying to 'cure' autism in UK". The Guardian. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  5. ↑ "Society publishes position statement on CEASE". Society of Homeopaths. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  6. ↑ "ASA Ruling on Teddington Homeopathy". Advertising Standards Authority. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  7. ↑ "Teddington Homeopathy". Advertising Standards Authority. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  8. ↑ "ASA Ruling on Bubbling Life". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  9. ↑ "Homeopathy for autism 'certainly not based on science,' B.C. health official says". CBC News. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  10. ↑ "Naturopath college outlaws therapy that promises 'complete elimination' of autism". CBC News. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  11. ↑ "Changes to the College's Immunization Standard and prohibition of CEASE therapy". College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia. Retrieved 20 July 2018.

Further reading

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