CEASE therapy

{{altmed}}'''CEASE therapy,''' which stands for Complete Elimination of Autistic Spectrum Expression, is a pseudoscientific therapy for [[autism]]. As if its name didn't sound dystopian enough, it contains [[Vitamin and mineral supplements#Megavitamin therapy|extreme doses]] of [[Vitamin C]], under the rubric of [[orthomolecular medicine]], enough to cause diarrhea and fever.

Some of its proponents also claim it can help with [[ADHD]].<ref>[https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2015/07/22/CEASE-homeopathy-misleads-parents-with-autism-cure-claims UK ad body warns firm to CEASE misleading autism cure claims for homeopathy] - Nutra Ingredients</ref>

==Nonsense==
==="Toxins" from vaccines===
CEASE therapy starts with the (repeatedly) [[Anti-vaccination movement#Autism|scientifically debunked premise that vaccines cause autism]]. It then presents itself as a solution to "[[detox]]" autistic kids.<ref>[https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/cease-therapy-for-autism-homeopathic-quackery-and-self-regulation-by-naturopathic-boards/ CEASE therapy for autism: Homeopathic quackery and "self regulation" by naturopathic boards] - Science-Based Medicine</ref>

===Side effects===
{{cquote|Eliminations like diarrhea, [[flu]], expectoration, and bad-smelling and cloudy urine should also be left alone, because they are a part of the healing process.|||Inventor Tinus Smits<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/apr/27/more-than-120-homeopaths-trying-to-cure-autism-in-uk More than 120 homeopaths trying to 'cure' autism in UK] - The Guardian</ref>}}

Exposure to CEASE therapy can cause children to suffer fever, diarrhea, and other signs of illness.

Some of the alleged "cure" of CEASE therapy may be from the fever effect, a poorly-understood phenomenon in which autistic people tend to be calmer and more communicative when they have a fever. Researchers are still studying the effect and developing treatment options such as sulforaphane supplements (though these currently have issues with side effects).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190120054609/https://embraceasd.com/the-fever-effect/ The fever effect] - Embrace ASD</ref> It does NOT mean that you should make your child sick.

===Cure===
Autism is a lifelong neurological difference that's predominantly [[genetic]]. There's no "curing" autism,<ref>[https://www.techtimes.com/articles/240133/20190323/autism-cure-cease-therapy-can-seriously-harm-children-watchdog-warns.htm Autism Cure Cease Therapy Can Seriously Harm Children, Watchdog Warns] - Tech Times</ref> only providing therapy and support (which can make a big difference). And quality support is often not about "eliminating" autism, but helping the person lead an autistic-friendly lifestyle. But proponents of CEASE therapy take advantage of unsuspecting parents to lure them into an unwinnable war against their child's own [[brain]].

The UK Advertising Standards Agency has cracked down on CEASE "therapists" for making false claims about curing autism.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/health-47666939 Advertising watchdog rules fake autism 'cure' adverts must stop] - BBC News</ref>

==See also==
*[[Autism omnibus trial]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{stub|pseudoscience}}
[[Category:Alternative medicine]]
[[Category:Autism woo]]
[[Category:Anti-vaccination movement]]
[[Category:Food supplement woo]]
[[Category:Homeopathy]]

Categories: Alternative medicine, Autism woo, Anti-vaccination movement, Food supplement woo, Homeopathy