Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition within mental health topics. Research discussed in relation to ASD includes cognitive and behavioral abilities, such as visuomotor coordination, receptive vocabulary ability, and nonverbal intelligence, as well as social recognition memory in animal studies.

A clear starting point for understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and its place among mental health topics.

12What may help

This list shows research findings, not treatments. Nothing here replaces medical care. If you have this condition, talk to a doctor.

What may help

What studies found for each option, best evidence first.

12 options:6 some evidence4 not enough evidence2 not tested in people

What studies foundSize of effect

DancepracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Large
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 3 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
Pooled randomized trials in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder found improvements in social skills, communication, social interaction, repetitive behaviours and perceptual abilities after dance. A pooled analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies also found improved social skill-related outcomes compared with control conditions, but the evidence came from four studies and was limited and heterogeneous.
Open the Dance page
MeditationpracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Large
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 3 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
Open the Meditation page
Mindfulness MeditationpracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Small
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 2 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded found a small improvement in social responsiveness among children with autism spectrum disorder. A separate review described preliminary findings for anxiety and depression in adults, based on 8 studies with small samples and high heterogeneity.
Open the Mindfulness Meditation page
PsychotherapypracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 2 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
Pooled randomized and non-randomized human studies found improvement in social skill-related outcomes in people with autism spectrum disorder (g = -0.97). The studies were heterogeneous; an uncontrolled study also reported pre-post improvement in autistic adults.
Open the Psychotherapy page
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)practiceSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 3 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A 2026 RCT found that total difficulties scores decreased at T1 and T2. A 2025 review also reported beneficial effects, but noted only one or two studies per diagnosis.
Open the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) page
SwimmingpracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 3 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A review of randomized and non-randomized human studies rated the certainty as moderate that swimming interventions improve swimming skills in autistic children; the largest subgroup included 28 children. A separate review described hydrotherapy as providing a low-arousal, sensory-regulated environment that supported social interaction and motor development.
Open the Swimming page
AcupuncturepracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A 2025 analysis of 17 randomized trials found improved CSHQ total scores and several sleep measures when acupuncture-related treatment was added to conventional treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Open the Acupuncture page
Brain Games / PuzzlespracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A 2023 systematic review of 28 randomized and non-randomized human studies found potential benefits of computerized cognitive games for cognitive rehabilitation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Open the Brain Games / Puzzles page

Show all 12

The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.

What may help

Interventions recorded as helping with this condition12 listed

Most likely to help, from the evidence we have

PracticesDanceCertaintyMediumSourceRCTLarge effect
Pooled randomized trials in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder found improvements in social skills, communication, social interaction, repetitive behaviours and perceptual abilities after dance. A pooled analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies also found improved social skill-related outcomes compared with control conditions (Hedges’ g = -0.97, 95% CI -1.69 to -0.25), but the evidence came from four studies and was limited and heterogeneous.
How big is the effect
Large effectA big difference on average. Check how strong the evidence is.
Who was studied
People with a condition
Autism Spectrum
Study result
Pooled RCTs in children and adolescents with ASD showed improved social skills, communication, social interaction, repetitive behaviours and perceptual abilities after dance activities.
Open Dance
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PracticesMeditationCertaintyMediumSourceRCTLarge effect
Network meta-analysis: MBI ranked highest for anxiety (SUCRA 94.3%, SMD = –1.13, 95% CI [–1.69, –0.57]); subgroup analyses showed stronger effects in adults and with 9-16 week durations.
How big is the effect
Large effectA big difference on average. Check how strong the evidence is.
Who was studied
People with a condition
Open Meditation
→
PracticesMindfulness MeditationCertaintyMediumSourceRCTSmall effect
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded found a small improvement in social responsiveness among children with autism spectrum disorder (SMD −0.35, 95% CI −0.66 to −0.04, p=0.03). A separate review described preliminary findings for anxiety and depression in adults, based on 8 studies with small samples and high heterogeneity.
How big is the effect
Small effectA small but noticeable difference on average.
Who was studied
People with a condition
Autism Spectrum
Study result
MBIs significantly improved social responsiveness in children with ASD (SRS-2, SMD −0.35, 95% CI −0.66 to −0.04, p=0.03)
Open Mindfulness Meditation
→
PracticesPsychotherapyCertaintyMediumSourceRCT
Pooled randomized and non-randomized human studies found improvement in social skill-related outcomes in people with autism spectrum disorder (g = -0.97). The studies were heterogeneous; an uncontrolled study also reported pre-post improvement in autistic adults.
Who was studied
People with a condition
Autism Spectrum
Depression
Study result
Pooled social skill-related outcomes improved in people with ASD (g = -0.97, CI excludes zero), though based on four heterogeneous studies with mixed designs.
Open Psychotherapy
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PracticesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)CertaintyMediumSourceClinical
A 2026 RCT found that total difficulties scores decreased at T1 and T2. A 2025 review also reported beneficial effects, but noted only one or two studies per diagnosis.
Who was studied
People with a condition
Study result
Listed among conditions where ACT was associated with beneficial effects; only one or two studies per diagnosis.
Open Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
→
PracticesSwimmingCertaintyMediumSourceClinical
A review of randomized and non-randomized human studies rated the certainty as moderate that swimming interventions improve swimming skills in autistic children; the largest subgroup included 28 children. A separate review described hydrotherapy as providing a low-arousal, sensory-regulated environment that supported social interaction and motor development.
Who was studied
People with a condition
Autism Spectrum
Cerebral Palsy
Study result
Review rates moderate certainty that swimming interventions improve swimming skills in autistic children; this is the largest subgroup (n = 28).
Open Swimming
→

Low probability(6)

PracticesAcupunctureCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A 2025 analysis of 17 randomized trials found improved CSHQ total scores and several sleep measures when acupuncture-related treatment was added to conventional treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Who was studied
People with a condition
Autism Spectrum
Study result
Meta-analysis of 17 RCTs showing significant improvement in CSHQ total score and several sleep parameters when acupuncture-related treatment is added to conventional treatment.
Open Acupuncture
→
PracticesBrain Games / PuzzlesCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A 2023 systematic review of 28 randomized and non-randomized human studies found potential benefits of computerized cognitive games for cognitive rehabilitation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Who was studied
People with a condition
Autism Spectrum
Study result
Systematic review of 28 studies showing potential benefits of computerized cognitive games for cognitive rehabilitation in children with ASD.
Open Brain Games / Puzzles
→
PracticesCyclingCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A single small, non-randomized within-subject study found improved inhibitory-control performance after acute moderate-intensity cycling in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder; working memory did not change.
Who was studied
People with a condition
Autism Spectrum
Study result
Inhibitory-control performance (Go/No-Go outcomes and composite score) improved after acute moderate-intensity cycling in children with ASD; working memory did not change. Evidence is from a single small non-randomized within-subject study.
Open Cycling
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PracticesLaughter Yoga / TherapyCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A review's narrative synthesis reported improved anxiety in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, drawing on few studies.
Who was studied
Healthy people and patients
Anxiety Disorder
Autism Spectrum
Study result
Narrative synthesis reporting improved anxiety in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder; based on few studies.
Open Laughter Yoga / Therapy
→
PracticesFastingCertaintyLowSourceAnimal research
Intermittent fasting produced behavioral and molecular improvements in VPA-exposed rats, but this is an animal model and there is no human evidence.
Who was studied
People with a condition
Autism Spectrum
Study result
Behavioral and molecular improvements in VPA-exposed rats under IF; animal model only, no human evidence.
Open Fasting
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PracticesGardening TherapyCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Gardening therapy is described as a way to support social interaction, communication and sensory processing in people with autism spectrum disorder.
Study result
Gardening therapy improves social interaction, communication, and sensory processing in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Open Gardening Therapy
→

What to avoid

Interventions recorded as making it worse

Nothing in this library is currently recorded as making Autism Spectrum Disorder worse. Coverage is partial, and absence here is not evidence of safety.

Browse the supplements that are written up

How to read the evidence

Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound

StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.

Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real

Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence

Source — where the data comes from

Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
ClinicalA human clinical study
Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested

Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)

AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only

Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding

A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement

Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.

Full write-up

What is it

ASD is the condition being studied, not a supplement or other intervention associated with it. The research includes prenatal folic acid supplementation, CBD (Cannabidiol), L-Carnitine, and Maca Root.

Evidence-backed options

The options associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder vary substantially in what was studied. Vitamin B9 (Folate) relates mainly to maternal supplementation during pregnancy, particularly early pregnancy, with a minimum daily amount of 400 μg folic acid from dietary supplements examined in relation to the risk of ASD in offspring. This is a prenatal risk finding rather than evidence about treating an established diagnosis.

Some studies used defined durations. CBD (Cannabidiol) was taken daily for 8 weeks in a purified formulation, with reported changes in selected cognitive and behavioral domains. Omega-3 was studied at 962 mg or 1155 mg daily over 8 weeks; biological membrane fatty-acid composition and some behavioral markers changed, while longer follow-up was needed to observe clinical changes. Melatonin evidence includes one study in 6 adults with sleep disturbances and ASD using IR melatonin at doses between 3 and 9 mg.

The remaining evidence is narrower or less mature. L-Carnitine may be relevant to a subgroup described as having L-carnitine synthesis disorders, estimated at around 10%-20%. Maca Root and Passionflower findings come from animal models, while Taurine is described in an exploratory trial comparing supplementation with placebo. Swimming is discussed as hydrotherapy in a low-arousal, sensory-regulated environment. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) findings concern a subgroup identified by selected phenotype variables, and the available magnesium research is too sparse to determine its role in ASD. These differences mean findings should not be treated as interchangeable, and medical conditions warrant discussion with a clinician.