May 25th, 2026
Dear Kaumudi Online News Editorial Team:
Thank you for your January 6th article, Autism and low-level laser therapy: What is it? by Joseph Sunny Kunnacherry. This article provides an informative look at low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Informing caregivers and potential clients about treatment options and the extent to which they are grounded in scientific evidence is essential. Unfortunately, without sufficient context, readers unfamiliar with the therapy may view it as an already viable option for improving mood, focus, irritability, and sleep in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Your objective in providing clear information and caveats about this alternative treatment modality at the beginning of the article is appreciated. The clarification that evidence for LLLT’s effectiveness in treating ASD is limited and questionable, despite its historical use in pain management, increases the extent to which consumers are fully informed. More specifically, highlighting the scarcity of research and the small sample sizes in existing LLLT studies helps ensure consumers understand the current limitations of the evidence base.
We want consumers to have confidence that an intervention is both effective and safe. Outlining safety considerations and the unknown long-term health impacts of LLLT enables caregivers to make informed treatment decisions. As discussed in your article, encouraging families to reduce or discontinue scientifically supported treatments in favor of early-stage, non–evidence-based alternatives may hinder skill acquisition and the reduction of maladaptive behaviors. It is also important to consider the risks associated with co-occuring conditions. Individuals with ASD are as likely as neurotypical peers to have additional health diagnoses. Communication challenges and limited specialized training among practitioners can contribute to the delayed diagnosis of additional medical conditions in children with ASD, increasing the risks associated with unsupported therapies, particularly for those with conditions such as seizure disorders. Access to safety data would help families considering LLLT better understand potential side effects and weigh its risks and benefits.
The promise of a fast-acting treatment for reduction of maladaptive behaviors and improved sleep conditions would be attractive to families of children diagnosed with ASD. Giving caregivers the tools for evaluating treatment options is important and impactful. Families of children with autism deserve clear, accurate information regarding the limited evidence base, the absence of established long-term safety data, and the distinction between experimental and evidence-based interventions. Your article helped convey this message. Nonetheless, as stated above, premature promotion of emerging therapies risks diverting valuable time and financial resources away from treatments with demonstrated efficacy.
Thank you for sharing this article. We encourage your readers to peruse some of the resources on our website to learn more about science-based autism treatment.
Sincerely,
Brittany Faith Thacker, EdD, BCBA, Extern
David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA, Executive Director
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
