Comprehensive Scientific Review Evaluates Effectiveness of Alternative Autism Treatments - Video

Parents often turn to alternative therapies hoping for a miracle cure for autism, but a massive scientific review warns that most lack solid proof. Researchers from Paris Nanterre University, Paris Cité University, and the University of Southampton analyzed 248 meta-analyses from over 200 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 participants, finding little reliable evidence that popular complementary and alternative treatments work. Published in Nature Human Behaviour, the study also flags a major gap: safety data is missing for nearly half of these approaches.

Autism spectrum disorder brings challenges like communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, repetitive behaviors, and trouble navigating social situations. With up to 90% of families trying complementary, alternative, and integrative medicines (CAIMs)—from acupuncture and herbal remedies to music therapy, probiotics, animal-assisted interventions, and vitamin D—the demand is huge. Yet rigorous evidence has been scattered. This umbrella review—the most comprehensive assessment to date—synthesized all available meta-analyses to deliver a clear, big-picture verdict.

Led by Dr. Corentin Gosling and Professor Samuele Cortese, the team evaluated 19 different CAIM interventions. They graded evidence quality, effectiveness, and safety using strict scientific standards. The verdict? Most treatments showed weak or low-quality results, with any reported benefits too unreliable to trust. A handful hinted at possible gains, but none stood up to scrutiny across studies. Alarmingly, fewer than half had been tested for side effects, tolerability, or acceptability, leaving families in the dark about potential risks.

To make findings accessible, the researchers launched a free online platform where anyone can explore the evidence behind specific CAIMs. Professor Richard Delorme from Robert Debré Hospital added that parents and autistic adults deserve rigorous randomized trial data before trying unproven options.

The review calls for better safety testing and high-quality trials to guide informed choices. Until then, it reminds families that hope alone isn’t enough—evidence-based decisions protect autistic individuals from unproven risks while paving the way for truly effective supports.

REFERENCE: Corentin J. Gosling, Laure Boisseleau, Marco Solmi, Micheal Sandbank, Lucie Jurek, Mikail Nourredine, Gabriella Porcu, Elisa Murgia, Joaquim Radua, Paolo Fusar-Poli, Klara Kovarski, Serge Caparos, Ariane Cartigny, Samuele Cortese, Richard Delorme. Complementary, alternative and integrative medicine for autism: an umbrella review and online platform. Nature Human Behaviour, 2025; 9 (12): 2610 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02256-9