The Melillo Method is a leading physical therapy solution to address Functional Disconnection Syndrome in children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Since the publication of his book, Disconnected Kids in 2009, Dr Robert Melillo has shared his work prolifically. This medicine-free solution is laid out in the Melillo Method – a physical and sensory based therapy to help resolve Autism Spectrum conditions, including ADHD, Tourette’s and Dyslexia. As Melillo Method practitioners we carry out Light Therapy and Melillo Method protocols to achieve the best results when working with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
At Laser Medicine we provide Light Therapy and Melillo Method protocols outlined in Robert Melillo’s Functional Development Behavioural Neurodevelopment Programme to optimise effectiveness of the laser therapy. Gentle Low Level Laser light wavelengths are applied to the areas of the head and abdomen during a session in the clinic, which prompt a healing process in neural tissue where needed.
There are many reasons why Light Therapy and Melillo Method work together. Primarily, Photobiomodulation Therapy promotes an anti-inflammatory response within the brain and an improvement in the gut microbiome. Light Therapy also improves blood circulation and raises oxygen levels and mitochondrial cellular energy which also promote healing. The Melillo Method identifies areas of the child’s brain that are functionally delayed, helping us to prompt neurodevelopment as appropriate. We combine the light therapy with physical exercises and sensory stimulation to help the Light Therapy achieve optimum results.
Light Therapy and Melillo Method to improve the Gut-Brain-Connection
A recent paper in 2025, The Gut–Brain–Microbiota Connection and Its Role in Autism Spectrum Disorders explains the connection between gut health and ASD. Photobiomodulation therapy tests well for improving gut microbiome, which further supports the application of Low Level Laser Therapy for ASD and ADHD.
In addition to clinical Light Therapy and Melillo Method sessions we also recommend the daily use of the Abdomen PBM Irradiator at home, to help improve gut microbiome.
Please read more about our Photobiomodulation Therapy for Autism Service.
If you would like to discuss our service please Contact us to discuss how we may help.
Clinical Studies: Melillo Method
QEEG Spectral and Coherence Assessment of Autistic Children in Three Different Experimental Conditions (Machado et al. 2015).
Autistic spectrum disorders as functional disconnection syndrome (Melillo and Leisman 2009).
Front and center: Maturational dysregulation of frontal lobe functional neuroanatomic connections in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Leisman and Melillo 2022).
Cognitive-motor interactions of the basal ganglia in development (Leisman et al. 2014).
Taking Sides: Asymmetries in the Evolution of Human Brain Development in Better Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (Leisman et al. 2022).
Prefrontal functional connectivities in autism spectrum disorders: A connectopathic disorder affecting movement, interoception, and cognition (Leisman and Melillo 2023).
Persistent Childhood Primitive Reflex Reduction Effects on Cognitive, Sensorimotor, and Academic Performance in ADHD (Melillo et al 2020).
Retained Primitive Reflexes and Potential for Intervention in Autistic Spectrum Disorders (Melillo et al. 2022).
Clinical Studies: Light Therapy for Autism
Clinical studies indicating the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy for autism are available to read below:
Transcranial photobiomodulation in children aged 2–6 years: a randomized sham-controlled clinical trial assessing safety, efficacy, and impact on autism spectrum disorder symptoms and brain electrophysiology (Fradkin et al. 2024).
Transcranial photobiomodulation for reducing symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and modulating brain electrophysiology in children aged 2–7: an open label study (Fradkin et al. 2025).
Transcranial Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Retrospective Study (Pallanti et al. 2022).
Transcranial Photobiomodulation in Adults with High Functioning Autism (Ceranoglu et al. 2022).
Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder (Leisman et al. 2018).
Follow-Up Assessment of Autistic Children 6 Months After Finishing Low Level Laser Therapy (Machado et al 2019).
Lights on for Autism: Exploring Photobiomodulation as an Effective Therapeutic Option (Hamilton et al. 2022).
Clinical Studies: Light Therapy for Autism and ADHD
Clinical studies indicating the effectiveness of laser therapy for ADHD are available to read below:
Repetitive transcranial photobiomodulation improves working memory and attention in adults with ADHD: a 4-week follow-up study (Lai et al 2025).
Efficacy of Photobiomodulation for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Case Studies (Stephan et al. 2022).
Clinical studies: Light Therapy for gut microbiome
Clinical studies to support the gut-brain-microbiota connection and the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy for gut microbiome and digestive function:
The Gut–Brain–Microbiota Connection and Its Role in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Mlynarska et al. 2025).
“Photobiomics”: Can Light, Including Photobiomodulation, Alter the Microbiome? (Liebert et al. 2019).
Photobiomodulation of the microbiome: implications for metabolic and inflammatory diseases (Bicknell et al. 2019).
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