Families Spend Thousands on Unproven Autism Treatments as Experts Urge Ethical Guidelines

Dana Paduchowski, a mother of three children with autism in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has spent over $30,000 on unproven alternative treatments such as intravenous heavy metal removal, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, supplements, and special diets, often encountering false hope and conflicting advice. Experts emphasize that autism, largely a genetic disorder with no cure, is best managed through behavioral therapy, while medications may help with co-occurring symptoms like anxiety. Meanwhile, clinics in Southern California and beyond promote magnetic e-resonance therapy (MERT), an off-label use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), as a treatment for autism, charging $10,000 or more for a six-week course despite the lack of FDA approval for this indication. Researchers have raised concerns about the ethical implications of marketing such off-label therapies to vulnerable populations without sufficient evidence or transparent pricing reflecting their uncertain effectiveness. This landscape of unproven treatments underscores the challenges families face while seeking effective interventions for autism, amid ongoing controversies including political figures promoting unsubstantiated causes and cures. The consensus among medical experts remains that only behavioral therapies have demonstrated effectiveness for core autism symptoms, underscoring the need for caution and evidence-based approaches.