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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a complex group of generally lifelong developmental disorders, usually diagnosed in childhood. Characteristics of ASD may include problems communicating; difficulty relating to people, things, and events; repetitive movements or behaviors; and difficulty adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings or routines. ASD is called a “spectrum” disorder because it can cause very different symptoms. Some people have mild symptoms and others have much more severe ones.
Many parents try complementary health approaches, usually along with conventional medical care, for their children with ASD.
There’s evidence that some complementary and integrative approaches may be helpful for symptoms of ASD. The dietary supplement melatonin may be beneficial for sleep disorders associated with autism. Music therapy may have a positive effect on social interaction, communication, and behavioral skills. There’s very limited evidence that the high-fat, high-carbohydrate “ketogenic” diet may help with seizures sometimes associated with autism.
Very little high-quality research has been done on other complementary health approaches for autism. It’s not clear whether any of them can improve autism symptoms, and they should not be used in place of conventional treatment.
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