Oliver Larholt discusses the fraudulent products and services that target families with ASD.
Adjusting to an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis can be challenging, and there isn’t a great deal of support available on the NHS. This creates an opportunity for malign actors to take advantage of families who are looking for help and guidance in a difficult time.
There are more than 700,000 autistic people in the UK, and in June 2024 it was reported that 193,203 NHS patients were awaiting an assessment for suspected autism. As MP Barry Sheerman put it in the Westminster Commission on Autism:
“Healthcare fraud is big business and autism is one of its many targets. Fraudsters promote the use of interventions which can result in physical, social, psychological and financial harm.”
As the father of a child with ASD, I well understand the desperation parents feel trying to navigate a convoluted and unsupportive system. I would’ve tried anything to help my child communicate and reduce his agitation.
That’s why this blog will discuss some prominent autism scams, as well as how to spot the dangers and protect your family.
H2- Fake Autism Treatments
There are a number of products and services that claim to “cure” or “treat” autism. But autism is not a disease or infection, and therefore often cannot be “treated” physically. Most autism “miracle cures” are actually actively harmful.
The following treatments are not approved by the NHS:
GcMAF
This is an unlicensed injection made from blood cells. It is said to activate the immune system, but the research used to make the claims was withdrawn due to serious errors.
Bleaching
This is also called Chlorine Dioxide (CD) or Mineral Miracle Solution (MMS). Ingesting it can cause nausea, vomiting, and other life-threatening conditions.
CEASE
Cease is a “program of therapy” that discourages vaccinations and instead recommends the use of nutritional supplements, in sometimes dangerous levels.
Chelation
Chelation therapy uses “chelating agents” to remove heavy metal toxins, like mercury, from the blood. It’s based on the theory that such metals cause autism- but there is no concrete evidence of this being either a cause or an effective treatment.
Secretin therapy
Secretin is a gut hormone that is purported to improve autism symptoms by improving patient digestion. However, controlled, randomised trials have shown “no significant impact” on children with ASD.
- some vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements
- raw camel’s milk
Do not use any of these to treat autism.
Stem cell treatments
Stem cell therapy supposes that Autism is caused by immune disfunction and inflammatory stimuli, but once again, there is no conclusive evidence that these therapies effectively treat ASD.
Hyperbaric oxygenation
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides a higher concentration of oxygen to a child’s bloodstream. Sadly, this is yet another example where the evidence fails to back up the claims.
How to spot fake treatments
It’s hard to deny the appeal of a miracle cure- but as parents we have a responsibility to be diligent in our research before trying a new treatment on our children.
Some clear warning signs that a treatment is fake include:
- Saying it can “cure” or that people can “recover from” autism
- The ability to cure a variety of conditions
- Claims to work in most people
- Claims to have quick results
- Anecdotes and personal stories rather than medical evidence
- Red flag words like “miracle”, “faith” and “trust”
- No training or qualifications needed
- It’s expensive
- It’s not offered or endorsed by the NHS
Reporting fake treatments
Protect your family and other like you by stopping charlatans when you spot them.
You can report advertisement or treatments you think are fake through the following channels:
Products bought in England or Wales
Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.
Tel: 0808 223 1133
Online: Citizens Advice Consumer Service Form
Fake medicines
Visit the FakeMeds campaign on the GOV.UK website.
Adverts or fake media treatments
This may be something you see on a website or on social media.
Complain on the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) website.
Additional Resources:
Spot the Scammers- Debunking Autism Cures: A Guide for Parents – Bury Council
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/so-called-cures
Spotting Bad Science – Warning signs of fake autism therapies – Altogether Autism
