What are the Alternative Therapies for Autism? (2024)

Article Summary:

• The complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies for autism are categorized into biologically-based practices, mind-body approaches, and manipulative and body-based practices.
• Dietary changes, nutritional supplements, and medical foods are among the most common biologically-based practices used to alleviate ASD symptoms.
• Butyric acid supplementation is among the biologically-based practices that can address the gut-brain nutrient imbalance observed in children experiencing ASD symptoms.
• Tesseract’s AuRx® is an innovative butyric acid complex delivered through a proprietary nutrient delivery technology that achieves optimal absorption and bioavailability of butyric acid.

Persistent challenges with social communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests characterize Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While ASD, like other neurodevelopmental health conditions, requires long-term management and presently lacks a satisfactory cure, many parents and guardians seek complementary and alternative therapies to help support their child’s well-being. These approaches are often chosen to reduce the reliance on conventional medications and to potentially lessen concerns about side effects.

Today, a wide range of complementary therapies– including nutritional supplements, acupuncture, massage, sensory integration therapy, and music therapy–are being explored for their ability to ease various symptoms associated with ASD.

This article explains several of the alternative therapies for autism, and highlights the role of nutritional supplements, including butyric acid, that can address specific nutritional requirements in ASD children.

Alternative Therapies for Autism: An Overview

The alternative therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are categorized into¹:

1. Biologically-based practices: Dietary changes and nutritional supplements are the most common biologically-based practices utilized to alleviate ASD symptoms.
2. Mind-body approaches: Yoga and music therapy are among the mind-body approaches utilized to help children with ASD.
3. Manipulative and body-based practices: Chiropractic care, craniosacral massage, massage/ therapeutic touch therapies, and auditory integration are commonly used manipulative and body-based practices to help children with ASD.

Notably, there is no single go-to therapy among the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies for autism. The effectiveness of the conventional therapies varies; certain strategies work well for some children with ASD while having little effect on the symptoms for others. The following table highlights the different categories of complementary and alternative therapies for ASD and how they address ASD symptoms.

Although these CAM therapies for autism have gained popularity, there is limited evidence supporting their efficacy. On the other hand, gut-microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyric acid, have shown promising results as a potential therapeutic agent for neurodevelopmental conditions like ASD². Recent evidence on the role of SCFAs in supporting crucial brain functions has highlighted their role in influencing the gut-brain axis and their fluctuating levels being one of the contributing factors of conditions such as ASD.

AuRx®: A Gold Standard Medical Food for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

AuRx® is a stabilized butyric acid complex developed by Tesseract Medical Research to provide specific nutritional support for children with ASD. The hypoallergenic formulation delivered in a palatable-tasting powder optimizes compliance and is intended to counter the gut-brain nutrient imbalance experienced by children with ASD.

The proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology enables maximum absorption and bioavailability of butyric acid molecules to bring positive behavioral changes in affected children. The CyLoc® technology envelopes each butyric acid molecule to mask its taste and maintain its integrity during transit through the stomach. The accompanying DexKey® reactors enable targeted delivery of butyric acid molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract for optimal absorption. This highly absorbable therapeutic reality can bring positive behavioral changes in children with ASD.

Citations:

¹Levy SE, Hyman SL. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America vol. 17,4 (2008): 803-820, ix. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2008.06.004

²Wang X, et al. mSystems vol. 8,4 (2023): e0041523. doi:10.1128/msystems.00415-23