Complementary & Alternative (CAM)

Arts, animals, and mind-body practices families turn to alongside clinical care.

7 therapies · 2 groups · 1 review published

How we grade the evidence:

Strong — multiple trials or reviews, consistent resultsModerate — good evidence, generally acceptedEmerging — promising, still earlyLimited — well-studied and not shown to help, or too little study to knowControversial — significant debate among researchers, use cautionHarmful — documented risk of harm — not recommended

Arts & Animal-Assisted

Creative and animal-assisted approaches to communication, regulation, and connection.

Moderate evidence

Music Therapy

Uses music-based experiences to improve communication, social, and emotional outcomes.

All agesComing soon

Limited evidence

Art Therapy

Therapeutic use of art-making to improve communication, emotional regulation, and self-expression.

All agesComing soon

Emerging evidence

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) – Equine

Horse-based therapy (hippotherapy / therapeutic riding) targeting motor, social, and emotional skills.

All agesComing soon

Emerging evidence

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) – Canine

Two small early studies suggest service dogs may help autistic children fall asleep faster and feel less bedtime anxiety.

All agesRead review →

Mind-Body & Other CAM

Body-awareness practices, and a few therapies worth a closer, more cautious look.

Emerging evidence

Yoga & Mindfulness-Based Practices

Body-awareness and breathing practices to reduce anxiety and improve self-regulation.

School age – adultsComing soon

Limited evidence

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber; purported to reduce inflammation.

All agesComing soon

Limited evidence

Massage / Therapeutic Touch

Manual therapy to address sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and body awareness.

All agesComing soon

Parents also look at:Developmental & Relationship-Based Communication & Language Sensory & Motor