Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by
The most common vitamins used to treat children with autism are vitamin B6, biotin and folate.
B vitamins are important for brain function. They help convert food into energy and function as cofactors in numerous reactions that produce neurotransmitters, a type of chemical messenger in the brain. B vitamins also help maintain healthy nerve cells and myelin, the fatty substance that insulates nerves in your brain and spinal cord.
Many people with autism also have problems digesting fats and carbohydrates, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies, especially of B vitamins. Because of this problem, many doctors recommend taking a B-complex supplement.
The following are some of the specific benefits of these three vitamins:
B6 (pyridoxine) – May improve social interaction and communication skills. Research has found that children with autism who receive daily doses of B6 show significant improvement in their symptoms after six months compared to those who received a placebo treatment. However, further studies are needed before doctors can recommend this treatment for all children with autism-spectrum disorder (ASD).
Biotin – May improve hand eye coordination and fine motor skills (such as handwriting). Some research suggests that taking biotin supplements may help children with ASD improve their behavior or communication skills by
Vitamins for children with autism
Some vitamin supplements may help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). But there isn’t enough evidence to determine which ones work, or in what doses.
The following vitamins have been studied for their possible effects on ASD:
Folate (also known as folic acid) . This is a B vitamin found naturally in leafy greens, dried beans and peas, liver, asparagus and nuts. It helps the body make new cells and is needed during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. A folate deficiency can lead to anemia and cognitive problems. Both folate and vitamin B12 are important for brain development, so it’s important that pregnant women get enough of these vitamins in their diet. During pregnancy, many women take folic acid supplements to help prevent birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly (a neural tube defect). Folic acid may also play a role in preventing or treating ASD.
Omega-3 fatty acids . These are fats found in oily fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel; flaxseed oil; walnuts; soybeans; and dark green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. Omega-3s are important for brain health because they reduce inflammation
A team of researchers recently published a study in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders that looked at the effectiveness of nutritional supplements in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The researchers found that vitamin B6, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids were effective in reducing some symptoms of ASD.

The researchers followed 81 children between the ages of 2 and 5 who had been diagnosed with ASD. They gave each child one of four treatments:
Vitamin B6
Magnesium
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)
Placebo
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong condition that affects the way you think, feel and behave.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong condition that affects the way you think, feel and behave.
It can affect anyone, of any age, but it’s more common in children. There’s no one cause for ASD, although some medical conditions can increase the risk.
The main signs of ASD are:
difficulty with social communication – for example, not being able to start or maintain conversations
difficulty with social interaction – for example, avoiding eye contact or not responding to other people’s emotions or changes in facial expression
a lack of interest in other people and things around them, including toys and games
an unusual response to sensory information (for example sensitivity to touch or sounds)
- Autism is a complex disorder of brain development, characterized by impaired social interaction and communication. In addition, people with autism have delayed or absent language development and behavior patterns that are repetitive and rigid.
- It’s important to understand the signs of autism early on so you can get your child the help he needs. If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, talk to your pediatrician:
-Lack of eye contact
-No babbling or pointing by age 1
-No words by 16 months or no meaningful phrases by age 2; limited vocabulary
Best vitamins for child with autism
-No spontaneous attempts to communicate (pointing, showing, reaching)
-Loses previously acquired skills (such as speech)
- Autism is diagnosed through observation and the presence of specific behaviors, including:
-Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts; such deficits are not better accounted for by Rett syndrome or childhood disintegrative disorder; stereotypes and repetitive behaviors (such as flapping hands or rocking back and forth), as manifested by at least two of the following:
There are many factors that contribute to children with Autism. In our research we couldn’t pinpoint one specific cause or combination of causes. Parents have reported various advances in their children: reduced aggression, improved verbal communication, lessened self-stimulatory behaviors, greater attentiveness and so on after using these vitamins.
Even though these supplements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating autism, research has shown that they can make life a little easier. Many parents have adopted these supplements in the hopes that they can significantly improve the symptoms of their autistic children. Parents should consult with their doctors before trying any new treatment to make sure that it is safe and won’t interact with anything else that their child is taking.
Folic acid and vitamin B6, when prescribed by physicians, can help patients with autism improve.
Every individual has a unique set of circumstances, and the right course of action depends on these circumstances, in terms of both the environmental hazards you wish to avoid and the medication you choose. However, it is important to consider all available options before making a decision.
Autism spectrum disorders are complex neurodevelopmental disorders, with a strong biologic basis, but the genetics and neurology of autism spectrum disorders are most often associated with male characteristics.