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.