Because there is no cure or specific treatment for autism, people will sometimes turn to complementary and alternative therapies in the hope of overcoming the behavioral, social, and emotional challenges of those living with the disorder. As popular as some of these therapies have become, there remains little solid evidence of their benefits.
Even so, some practices like yoga and music therapy have gained support in the medical community. Others, like elimination diets and chelation therapy, have no proven benefit and may even be harmful. Care should be taken when considering any alternative treatment for autism, ideally with the input and support of a healthcare provider.
Elimination Diets
Several elimination diets have been proposed and studied in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Chief among these are the elimination of gluten (a protein found in wheat and certain cereal grains) and casein (a protein found in milk).
The rationale behind elimination diets is based on two still-unproven theories:
- Based on the autoimmunity theory of autism, ASD is caused in part by an autoimmune assault on the central nervous system. In this scenario, the elimination of gluten (indicated for the treatment of celiac disease) and/or casein (sometimes used for the treatment of lupus) may ease the inflammatory burden on the central nervous system and improve symptoms over time.
- Based on the opiate-excess theory of autism, chemicals called opiate peptides released by the breakdown of gluten and casein can affect the central nervous system if levels are high. In this scenario, the elimination of gluten and casein can reduce opiate peptide levels (a chemical that otherwise plays an important role in emotions, motivation, and stress responses).
Other researchers suggest that a ketogenic diet commonly used in children with epilepsy may also benefit children with ASD, although it is unclear how.
To date, none of these diets has proven consistently effective, and several studies have reported no benefit at all.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a centuries-old practice founded on the belief that illnesses are the result of an imbalance of opposing energy forces (called yin and yang) and the overall life force (called qi).
Some of the TCM practices thought to benefit people with autism include:
- Acupuncture (the insertion of very thin needles through your skin)
- Moxibustion (burning an herb above the skin to apply heat to acupuncture points)
- Chinese herbal medicine
- Tui na (Chinese therapeutic massage)
- Qigong (a system of coordinated body posture and movement, breathing, and meditation)
There is a general lack of evidence supporting any of these interventions.
One TCM practice that has been studied is the Chanyi diet which involves the decreased intake of meat, fish, eggs, ginger, garlic, and onion. The diet is thought to reduce “internal heat” that can adversely affect a child’s mood.
A small study from China reported that after one month on the Chanyi diet, parents reported a significant improvement in their children’s social problems and repetitive behaviors.
Supplements
Certain nutriceutical supplements (including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbal substances) are thought to have beneficial effects on children and adults with ASD. Among those most commonly studied:
- Omega 3 fatty acids derived mainly from fish and seafood are essential for brain development and are thought by some to improve brain function in people with ASD. However, a Cochrane review of studies reported that omega-3 supplementation had no measurable effect on social interaction, communication, repetitive behaviors, or hyperactivity in children with ASD.
- Deficiencies of calcium, zinc, and vitamins A, B-complex, D, E, and K are reported to be common in children with ASD. While daily supplementation may be beneficial to a child’s overall health, research into vitamin B6 and B12 supplementation has shown no measurable effect in treating symptoms of ASD.
- L-carnosine, a potent antioxidant, is thought to improve nerve transmission in a way that may benefit kids with ASD. Although an early study involving 31 children with ASD reported improved receptive speech and social behavior after eight weeks of supplementation, the results did not fall within the range of statistical significance.
- Probiotic supplements consisting of live bacteria and yeast are thought to improve gut-brain interaction. A small study from Poland involving the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus reported that core symptoms of autism, such as eye contact and the correct recognition of human emotions, improved after two months of daily use.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is commonly used as a treatment for psychiatric conditions such as depression, dementia, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder. In these domains, music therapy has been shown to improve cognition, communication skills, and social and emotional rehabilitation.
It is thought that musical improvisation may be an important tool in the management of autism, creating a nonverbal shared language that could enable both verbal and nonverbal children.
A Cochrane review of studies supported the claims, concluding that music therapy can improve social interaction, verbal communication, initiating behaviors, emotional reciprocity, and the quality of parent-child relationships in children with ASD.
In addition to music therapy, similar approaches have been studied in children with ASD, including:
- Hippotherapy (therapeutic horseback riding)
- Emotional support animals
- Play therapy (involving toys and interactive games)
- Recreational therapy (therapeutic participation in community-based sports and recreation)
- Social skills therapy (focused specifically on building communication and emotional cue skills)
Massage Therapy
Sensory hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity are among the criteria for the diagnosis of autism. It is thought that massage therapy may help reduce anxiety in children with hypersensitivity (who are over-responsive to sensory stimuli) and treat sensory impairment in children with hypersensitivity (who are under-responsive or non-responsive to sensory stimuli).
Different types of massage have been studied in children with ASD, including:
- Thai massage (involving stretching, pulling, and rocking motions to relieve tension)
- Qigong massage (involving massaging of acupuncture points from the head to the feet)
- Simple touch therapy (involving rubbing, gentle patting, or stroking before bedtime)
Study results vary, but most have shown that massage is particularly effective in children with hyposensitivity and may help improve emotional dysregulation and repetitive behaviors in some children with hypersensitivity.
A similar approach called sensory integration therapy involving the use of weighted vests, gentle brushing, and joint compression has also been investigated. Currently, there is no evidence that this form of therapy is consistently effective or has long-term benefits for children with ASD.
Yoga
Yoga is a movement therapy thought to reduce anxiety and behavioral problems in children and adults with ASD. Along with practices like tai chi and Qigong, yoga has been shown to stimulate the production of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that acts on certain parts of the brain to induce calm.
Study results have been mixed, with some reporting increased self-control, reduced repetitive benefits, and improved control of disruptive behaviors after eight to 12 weeks of daily practice. Others have shown no benefit at all.
Even so, yoga is thought to be a low-risk practice that may improve the general health and well-being of children with ASD, aiding with balance and coordination in the same way it does with children without ASD.
Chelation Therapy
Chelation therapy involves the administration of chemicals delivered intravenously (into a vein) that bind to metals in the body and help eliminate them in urine and stool. It is commonly used to treat severe cases of lead poisoning and hemochromatosis (iron overload).
According to the toxicity theory of autism, ASD is due to excessive exposure to mercury. The theory arose out of the anti-vaccine movement of the 1990s and early 2000s wherein a mercury-containing preservative used in vaccines, called thimerosal, was said to cause autism.
Although the claims have since been debunked, some alternative practitioners continued to cite mercury as a causal factor for ASD and recommend chelation therapy as a solution.
Different chelating agents have been explored, including dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), but there is no evidence that they help in any way.
If anything, exposure to these agents can place a person at risk of diarrhea, skin rash, and liver toxicity. In 2005, chelation therapy used in a 5-year-old child with autism resulted in their death.
Oxytocin Therapy
Oxytocin is a hormone produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland during childbirth to induce uterine contractions. It is also sometimes referred to as the “love hormone” as it induces feelings of contentment and well-being in a similar way to endorphins and serotonin.
In children with autism, oxytocin levels are often low, and studies suggest that supplementing oxytocin may improve social behavior and function in these kids.
A 2017 study from researchers from Stanford University tested the hypothesis on 32 children with ASD by giving them twice daily doses of oxytocin via a nasal spray. After four weeks, the children showed modest improvement in social functioning but no changes in either repetitive behaviors or anxiety levels.
Those who benefited the most were those with the lowest oxytocin levels at baseline. Those with higher levels benefited the least.
At present, oxytocin therapy for autism is experimental, and oxytocin intranasal sprays are not approved for any indication and aren’t available commercially in the U.S.
Camel’s Milk
Camel’s milk has emerged as a potentially useful and relatively harmless alternative treatment for ASD. Much of the evidence supporting the use of this alternative treatment has been conducted in the Middle East where camel’s milk products are common.
Camel’s milk is known to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that may be beneficial to a child’s health. It is high in minerals such as sodium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and potassium and is a rich source of vitamins A, B2, C, and E. Camel’s milk is also low in cholesterol and high in healthier polyunsaturated fats.
Camel’s milk is thought by some to prevent or treat ASD by reducing brain inflammation (a.k.a. neuroinflammation) which some experts contend is at the heart of autism.
Although there is little evidence to support the theory, a 2024 review of studies from Saudi Arabia suggests that children with ASD who are fed a regular diet of camel’s milk have improved social skills—as measured by the childhood autism rating scale (CARS)—compared to those who are not.
More research is needed.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment used to treat decompression illness experienced by deep sea divers and to aid with the healing of injuries such as burns, skin grafts, skin infections, crush injuries, and gangrene.
Some alternative practitioners believe that HBOT can also benefit children with ASD. It is thought that HBOT, which delivers 100% oxygen under pressure, can alleviate neuroinflammation and, in turn, symptoms of autism.
Others contend that HBOT increases neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to reorganize and rewire nerve connections) by increasing blood circulation in the brain.
To date, there is little evidence of any such benefit. According to a 2017 review of studies published in Canadian Family Physician, none of the current body of research has shown any tangible effect of HBOT on children with autism.
Of the one study in 2009 that did, researchers reported that HBOT delivered over four weeks in 40 one-hour sessions reduced the severity of ASD in children by as much as 80%. Among children with ASD who received 20% oxygen under pressure, scores improved by only 38%.
To date, no other study has been able to replicate these findings.
Summary
Although there are many complementary and alternative therapies used for the treatment of autism, there is little evidence to support their use. Of those that are potentially beneficial, music therapy, massage, and yoga pose minimal risk and may be useful in some children and adults with ASD.
Other interventions such as special diets, supplements, traditional Chinese medicine, and chelation therapy may not only be unhelpful but, in some cases, may prove to be harmful.
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