Autism, Alternative Therapies, and Evidence

What International Families in the Netherlands Should Know

Raising a child in a new country often comes with uncertainty. When your child is autistic, that uncertainty can increase—especially when families are exposed to unfamiliar healthcare systems, different cultural perspectives on autism, and a wide range of advice about treatments that may or may not be helpful.

For international and expat families in the Netherlands, staying grounded in reliable, evidence-based information can make a meaningful difference. A recent large-scale scientific review offers timely clarity about alternative autism therapies and what current research actually supports.

What Does the Latest Research Say?

A major umbrella review published in Nature Human Behaviour examined the effectiveness and safety of complementary and alternative autism treatments. Researchers from Paris Nanterre University, Paris Cité University, and the University of Southampton reviewed 248 meta-analyses, drawing on data from more than 200 clinical trials and over 10,000 participants.

An umbrella review differs from individual studies by examining the entire body of evidence, rather than isolated findings. This helps clarify whether promising results truly hold up when studied more broadly.

The conclusion was consistent and cautious:There is no strong scientific evidence that most alternative autism therapies are effective.

The researchers also raised an important concern—many alternative treatments have not been adequately evaluated for safety, meaning potential risks and side effects are often unknown.

👉 We strongly encourage families to read the original summary themselves:University of Southampton. (2025, December 28). A massive scientific review put alternative autism therapies to the test. ScienceDaily.Retrieved December 29, 2025 from:www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227082722.htm

Which Therapies Were Included?

The review evaluated 19 commonly used complementary and alternative approaches, including:

• Probiotics and dietary supplements

• Vitamin D

• Acupuncture

• Herbal medicine

• Music therapy

• Animal-assisted therapy

Although a small number showed possible benefits, the overall quality of evidence was low. This means the findings cannot be relied upon to guide treatment decisions confidently.

Why Are Alternative Therapies So Common?

Autistic children may experience challenges related to communication, emotional regulation, sensory processing, or coping with change. These challenges can affect daily life at home, in school, and socially.

For parents—especially those living abroad—it is understandable to want to explore every possible option. Research suggests that up to 90% of autistic individuals have tried at least one alternative therapy.

Hope plays a powerful role. As the authors of the review emphasize, hope is most helpful when paired with careful evaluation of evidence and safety.

Why Looking at All the Evidence Matters

One key takeaway from this research is how misleading individual positive studies can be. A therapy may appear effective in a single small or low-quality study, but when all studies are examined together, the apparent benefit often disappears.

For international families who may encounter conflicting advice online or recommendations that differ from Dutch clinical guidelines, this broader perspective is particularly important.

What Does Have Strong Evidence?

While this review found limited support for alternative therapies, there is robust evidence for several well-established, evidence-based approaches. These interventions do not aim to change who a child is, but rather to support wellbeing, development, and daily functioning.

Research consistently supports:

• Psychoeducation for parents and caregivers

  Understanding autism and learning practical strategies reduces stress and improves outcomes.

  
  

• Parent-mediated interventions

  Coaching parents to support communication, emotional regulation, and interaction in everyday situations.

  
  

• Speech and language therapy

  Particularly helpful for communication, social understanding, and alternative ways of expressing needs.

  
  

• Psychological interventions adapted for autistic children

  Including support for anxiety, emotional regulation, and coping with change.

  
  

• Structured, individualized school support

  Collaboration between families, schools, and professionals is especially important within the Dutch education system.

  
  

These approaches are most effective when they are individualized, respectful of neurodiversity, and delivered by trained professionals.

What This Means for Families in the Netherlands

The Netherlands offers a strong evidence-based healthcare system, but navigating it as an expat can still feel complex.

This research reinforces the importance of:

• Choosing interventions grounded in solid scientific evidence

• Asking about both effectiveness and safety

• Being cautious of treatments promising quick or dramatic results

• Working collaboratively with qualified professionals

At Baumgarten Child Psychology and More, our role is to help families stay informed about current research and to support thoughtful, evidence-based decision-making—especially within the Dutch healthcare and education context.

If you have questions about autism research, evidence-based support, or navigating services in the Netherlands as an international family, we are always happy to share information and discuss options.