This article discusses why Low Level Laser / Photobiomodulation Therapy for Autism and ADHD may be a safe and effective option for children with presenting symptoms. A review paper by Catherine Hamilton al in 2022, explains the neurological condition of autism and refers to a number of highly promising clinical study showing effective treatment of autism for children, including those carried out by Leisman et al (2018) and Macado et al (2019). More recently, further studies support the use of Low Level Laser Therapy for Autism, including a trial carried out by Fradkin et al. (2024) on children aged 2-6 years, 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, which also indicated the safety and effectiveness of photobiomodulation to support treatment of ASD.

The paper by Hamilton et al (2022) Lights on for Autism: Exploring Photobiomodulation and an Effective Therapeutic Option, provides a clear explanation of the key abnormalities of brain structure and function that trigger behavioural pattens, including an imbalance of functional connectivity and synaptic transmission, neuronal death, gliosis and inflammation. The paper continues to discuss how photobiomodulation therapy using infrared and near infrared light can improve key conditions that characterise autism including the functional connectivity and patterns of neurones, the pattens of gloss and inflammation and the composition of the microbiome.

The Gut-Brain-Microbiota Connection and its Role in Autism

Hamilton’s paper highlights the link between autism and gut microbiome. Children and adults with ASD repeatedly show poor gut microbiome and digestion. A recent paper in 2025, The Gut–Brain–Microbiota Connection and Its Role in Autism Spectrum Disorders explains this connection. 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 photobiomodulation sessions we also recommend the daily use of the Abdomen PBM Irradiator at home, to help improve gut microbiome.

Clinical studies using Photobiomodulation Therapy for Autism in Children

The image is included in the paper by Hamilton et al (2022) and shows brain structure positively impacted by photobiomodulation therapy for autism.

In 2018, Leisman et al published a study, Effects of Low Level Laser Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder, for the irritability associated with autistic spectrum disorder in children and adolescents aged 5-17 years. 21 of 40 participants received Photobiomodulation Therapy for Autism treatments across a 4 week period while the remaining participants received a sham therapeutic laser treatment (LED). 5 sub scales were identified – irritability/agitation, lethargy/social withdrawal, stereotypic behaviour, hyperactivity/non-compliance and inappropriate speech. The change in irritability sub scale score between test and placebo patients was -15.17 in favour of the test procedure group, which is statistically significant. The study found that photobiomodulation therapy for autism could be an effective tool for reducing irritability ad other symptoms and behaviours associated with autistic spectrum disorder in children and adolescents with positive changes maintained and augmented over time.

A Follow-Up Assessment of Autistic Children 6 Months After Finishing Low Level Laser Therapy (Machado et al 2019) demonstrated that improvement in symptoms continued 6 months following the Photobiomodulation Therapy for Autism LLLT procedure described in the previous clinical study.

Recent studies support the use of Low Level Laser Therapy / Photobiomodulation Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Transcranial Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Retrospective Study carried out by Pallanti et al. in 2022 showed that children 5-15 years wearing a home use device had an overall reduction in ASD severity scores and improvements in behaviour, sleep and attention. Similarly, the Fradkin study in 2024, also showed the safety and efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy for children with autism aged 2-6 years. 

At Laser Medicine we provide Photobiomodulation Therapy for Autism for children and adolescents with neurodiversity, including those on the autistic spectrum with ASD and ADHD. We combine Low Level Laser protocols with the methods outlined in Robert Melillo’s Functional Development Behavioural Neurodevelopment Programme to optimise effectiveness of the laser therapy.

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: Photobiomodulation 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).