Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is a neurological and developmental condition in which individuals experience challenges with social skills, communication, and repetitive behaviors. The CDC estimates that 1 in 44 8 year old children in the U.S. are diagnosed with ASD (1). Other medical conditions are often present alongside ASD, including trouble sleeping, vitamin deficiencies, mental health struggles, and gastrointestinal challenges, so treatments may need to be flexible in order to encompass all of an affected individual’s unique needs. 

The symptoms of autism can be challenging for both those who suffer from ASD and their loved ones, who may worry about their safety and happiness. Treatments like pharmacological drugs and behavioral therapy are effective for many individuals, but every case is different. In recent years, more research has been conducted on the effectiveness of treating ASD symptoms with nutritional supplements, as they may be able to offer another option for anyone who finds the usual treatment pathways to be unsuccessful. The best multivitamin for autism may vary between specific cases, but it should typically contain a few key nutrients like B complex vitamins, vitamin D, and magnesium.

In this article, we will discuss autism supplements for adults and children alike with a specific focus on nutritional supplements rather than pharmacological drugs. Multivitamins, which contain a variety of essential nutrients all in one convenient place, are often a great solution for kids and adults who may be lacking sufficient supplies of multiple vitamins and minerals in their diets. However, remember that each case is unique, and you should always consult with your physician before starting yourself or your children on a new supplement regimen.

Best Liquid Multivitamin For Kids

Let’s begin by talking about the best liquid multivitamin for kids in general. Overall, most human beings have similar nutritional needs even despite age or gender differences. This means that the best multivitamin for 2 year old children is usually going to be extremely similar to the best multivitamin for 3 year old children and so on. Although our nutritional needs may change as we grow, most kids and adults alike still require the same essential vitamins and minerals everyday. A good liquid multivitamin should contain healthy amounts of the following nutrients: B complex vitamins, vitamins A, D, E, and K, zinc, selenium, iodine, and chromium. The key difference among age groups lies in how much of these nutrients the body needs, with children usually requiring a lower dosage of a multivitamin than adults.

If you have a specific goal in mind for your supplement, then you can seek out multivitamins whose ingredients cater toward that goal. For example, the best vitamins for kids’ immune system are vitamin C and those vitamins and minerals that have antioxidant properties, such as vitamins A and E as well as the trace mineral selenium. If you have a particularly picky eater on your hands, then you may want to look into tasteless liquid vitamins for toddlers, as they can be easily hidden in a glass of juice with little to no fuss. For those who have trouble getting their kids to eat enough meat and vegetables, a toddler liquid multivitamin with iron may be the best choice. And anyone who prioritizes eating organic may be interested in the best organic liquid multivitamin for toddlers. It all depends on your family’s diet and the unique needs of your children!

Autism Vitamin Deficiency

Autism vitamin and mineral deficiency may occur for various nutrients, including some of the B complex vitamins (B1, B6, and B12), vitamins A and D, and magnesium. The best liquid multivitamin for autism should aim to fill in these deficiencies with a healthy supply of nutrients. Nutritional gaps may be more frequent in individuals with ASD due to certain eating behaviors, such as refusing food and having unique preferences for taste, color, brands, etc. (2). Multivitamins may be an effective and convenient way to ensure that all nutritional needs are being met despite these behaviors.

Magnesium deficiency in particular has increased in recent years, making it more important than ever to incorporate it into you and your children’s diets, especially for those with ASD. Since magnesium is required for the proper absorption of vitamin B6, it is sometimes recommended that they be taken together, which is easily accomplished with a well-rounded multivitamin. Counteracting autism vitamin deficiency by supplementing magnesium and B6 may improve certain behaviors in individuals affected by ASD, including hyperactivity, restlessness, fidgeting, poor concentration, and noise sensitivity (3). This type of treatment will likely be the most effective for those who experience both ASD and magnesium or B6 deficiency, rather than just ASD alone.

As far as other B complex vitamins like B1 and B12, they may also have the potential to benefit children with ASD. According to recent studies, supplementing B1 and B12 in ASD-affected children with the respective deficiencies in each vitamin resulted in clinical improvements of ASD symptoms (4). However, much like the case of magnesium and vitamin B6, improvements are more likely in those affected by both ASD and related vitamin deficiencies. Still, maintaining healthy amounts of these vitamins in your child’s diet is essential for their health and preventing the development of deficiencies in the future.

Autism Supplements For Speech

Speech delays are another common challenge for those with ASD. Affected individuals may not develop speech and other forms of communication at the expected ages. There are two possible causes for speech delays: mitochondrial dysfunction and cerebral folate deficiency (5). Speech delays caused by either of these conditions can potentially be improved via the use of supplements alongside speech therapy. Some autism supplements for speech may include vitamin B6, B9, B12, and magnesium.

Vitamin B12 is an excellent medicine for speech delay, particularly methyl B12. Methylation is a biochemical transfer that is responsible for tons of reactions throughout the body, including those related to cognition, mood regulation, and, of course, speech (6). Supplementing with methyl B12 has been shown to improve various forms of communication, including receptive, expressive, and written language (7). However, if you are unable to get your hands on the methylated form of B12, multivitamins containing normal B12 may still help with ASD symptoms.

If you are not yet ready to take on a supplement routine, then you may be wondering what food is good for speech delay improvement. Foods that are high in the B complex vitamins may make a great addition to the diet. Animal products are the best source of vitamin B12, whether in the form of meat or dairy products like yogurt and milk. An herbal treatment for speech delay might include some of the plant sources for the B complex vitamins, such as green leafy vegetables and whole grains.

Autism Supplements For Stimming

Stimming refers to repetitive, self-stimulatory behaviors. Autism stimming types can be either physical or verbal, with some examples including rocking, flapping of the hands, repeating sets of words, spinning, and more. Stimming may help an individual to cope with intense emotions or a stressful situation, or it may even assist with concentration. Unless these behaviors are harmful to the affected individual or those around them, they are not necessarily bad. However, some parents may look for supplements to reduce stimming in children with autism in order to help them focus their attention and communicate with others.

Studies have shown that vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids may be effective autism supplements for stimming. A recent study found that supplementing children affected by ASD with vitamin D3 every day over a 4 month period resulted in improvements for autism-related symptoms (8). These particular symptoms included social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors often associated with stimming. Similarly, another study performed in 2017 examined the effects of omega 3 fatty acid supplementation on children with ASD (9). The results indicated that supplementation may be able to improve behaviors related to stimming as well.

Again, if you are not yet ready to incorporate a multivitamin that contains vitamin D or omega 3 fatty acid into your routine, then you may want to instead look for foods rich in these nutrients. Although vitamin D is not naturally found in foods, instead being produced by the skin’s reaction with sunlight, some dairy products and cereals may be fortified with vitamin D. Omega 3 fatty acids are more prevalent in the average diet, with the main source being fatty fish. Some examples of fatty fish include mackerel, salmon, and anchovies. If your kids are not keen on fish just yet, then you can also find products that have been fortified with omega 3 fatty acids, similar to those fortified with vitamin D.

Resources

1. “Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.” CDC, 31 March 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/addm.html.
2. Robea, Madalina-Andreea et al. “Relationship Between Vitamin Deficiencies and Co-Occurring Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Medicina, May 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7279218.
3. Markham Integrative. “The Importance of Magnesium in Autism & ADHD.” Markham Integrative Medicine, 9 March 2017, https://integrative-medicine.ca/the-importance-of-magnesium-in-autism-adhd.
4. Lonsdale, Derrick et al. “Treatment of Autism Spectrum Children with Thiamine Tetrahydrofurfuryl Disulfide: A Pilot Study.” Neuroendocrinology Letters, August 2002, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12195231.
5. “Medical Causes Of Speech Issues In Autism.” TACA, 2022, https://tacanow.org/family-resources/speech-issues-in-autism-medical-causes-and-treatment-options.
6. “Supplements for Speech in Autism.” Autism Transformed, 2022, https://autismtransformed.com/supplements-for-speech.
7. Van Der Laan, Joya. “Supplements for Speech Delays in Autistic Children.” Your Autism Game Plan, 11 October 2021, https://yourautismgameplan.com/supplements-for-speech-delays-in-autistic-children.
8. Saad, Khaled et al. “Randomized Controlled Trial of Vitamin D Supplementation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, January 2018, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27868194.
9. Cheng, Yu-Shian et al. “Supplementation of Omega 3 Fatty Acids May Improve Hyperactivity, Lethargy, and Stereotypy in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 4 October 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5634395.