Speech and communication therapy
Works on understanding, the intention to communicate and the way to do it: words, signs or pictures. Given by a speech-language therapist (in Mexico, often a licenciada en Comunicación Humana).
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🚦 Therapy traffic light
Which therapies actually work?
Each therapy rated by its evidence, using the most serious guidelines in the world: what’s worth it, what doesn’t work and what’s dangerous.
GreenBacked by evidence. Worth looking for.
YellowPromising or with limited evidence. It may help some children; ask for clear goals.
GrayNo evidence that it works. Guidelines advise against using it for autism. It costs money and time.
RedDangerous. It can harm your child. Never.
Augmentative communication (AAC)
Pictures, boards, PECS or apps like Mi Voz. It doesn’t hold back speech: it can help words appear.
Naturalistic developmental interventions
They teach through play and daily life, following the child’s interests. For example: the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), JASPER or PRT.
Parent programs
They teach you strategies to use at home every day. This has some of the strongest evidence for young children.
Visual supports and social stories
Schedules, “first / then”, picture routines and stories that prepare them for something new. You can print them for free.
Behavioral interventions (ABA-based)
Many evidence-based practices come from here. Look for a respectful approach: one where your child plays, isn’t forced, the goals are explained to you and their well-being comes first.
Occupational therapy and sensory integration
Occupational therapy helps with daily life. Ayres sensory integration, done by a certified therapist, has some evidence.
Music therapy
It can help with communication and relating to others, especially as part of a broader plan.
TEACCH, Floortime (DIR) and equine therapy
There are studies in favor, but few or small ones. If your child enjoys them and they help, great; just don’t let them replace a green therapy.
Medications
They don’t treat autism itself, but they can help with sleep, intense irritability, anxiety or attention. Always prescribed and monitored by their doctor.
Gluten-free and casein-free, or ketogenic, diets
Guidelines advise against using them for autism. Only if there’s a diagnosed allergy or intolerance.
Neurofeedback and auditory training
Includes methods like Tomatis or auditory integration. Guidelines advise against using them for autism.
Supplements “for autism”
Omega-3, high-dose vitamins and the like don’t improve autism. Don’t give your child anything without their doctor’s advice.
Weighted vests, brushing and “sensory diets”
There isn’t enough evidence that they work.
Bioresonance and devices that “read” the body
There’s no evidence at all that they work.
Chlorine dioxide or MMS
COFEPRIS (Mexico’s health safety regulator) warns that it damages the stomach, heart and kidneys, and that no product is registered. It must never be given to a child.
Chelation and secretin
Guidelines advise against them. Chelation can be fatal.
Commercial stem cells
There is no authorized treatment for autism in Mexico. They’re expensive and carry risks.
Hyperbaric chamber
Guidelines advise against using it for autism: it hasn’t shown benefit and it isn’t risk-free.
Facilitated communication
Another person “guides” the child’s hand to type. Studies show that the one typing is the adult, not the child.
Before starting any therapy, ask
- What goals will you work on, in writing?
- How will we measure progress, and how often?
- Can I watch the sessions and learn to do it at home?
- What did the therapist study? Do they have a cédula (Mexico’s professional license)?
- How much does it cost in total, and can I pay per session?
Where this traffic light comes from
We built it from the most serious guidelines in the world: the UK’s NICE CG170 guideline, the American Academy of Pediatrics report (2020), the NCAEP’s 28 evidence-based practices (Spanish edition), the Raising Children therapy guide (Australia) and the COFEPRIS statement (in Spanish).
Reviewed in October 2026. This is general information: every child is different, and their health team knows their case best. If you’re a professional and something should be corrected, write to us.