Autism and Complementary Health Approaches

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/autism?nav=govd Many individuals with autism and their families use complementary health approaches, often along with conventional medical care, to address concerns and improve their health and well-being. A variety of complementary approaches—such as animal-assisted therapy, arts-based therapies, yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy, and exercise-based therapies, may be helpful in treating hypersensitivity, reducing anxiety, and improving social skills and mental health in people with autism. Low doses of melatonin may help with sleep problems in people with autism. Children with autism generally tolerate pediatric-appropriate prolonged-release melatonin well. There’s no scientific evidence that secretin, hyperbaric oxygen, chelation therapies, or antifungal agents can help people with autism.