One cannot deny the fact that the opinions of some rogue clinicians and family members have sometimes generate interest enough to attract research funding to prove or disprove them. However, the fact is that some of these ideas really may be dangerous.
For example, the treatment of autism by heavy metal chelation has actually proven fatal to at least one autism patient at this time. Chelation therapy involves the specific attack of certain metals in the body of the patient by chemicals. Heavy metals like mercury and cadmium are thus removed, but there still aren’t any measurable benefits to the treatment.
There exists some fear in certain circles that vaccines can somehow lead to autism, especially with respect to persistent infection from the vaccine for measles-mumps-rubella. Some vaccine preservatives like thimerosal, which contains ethylmercury, have also come under spotlight in recent times. However, research has revealed no benefits in either arena. In any case rubella, which used to be present in most vaccines, has almost been eliminated completely. It is one of the few known environmental causes of autism.
Flame retardants, pesticides, fertilizers, and even food additives such as aspartame are synthetic chemicals that have been thought of as potential factors that increase the risk of autism. Added to that are thoughts that foods containing wheat products, dairy products, or even all carbohydrates, which are believed to contribute to the gastrointestinal symptoms that occur frequently in patients suffering from autism, may increase the risk of incidence in sufferers. Even then, no scientific evidence proves any of these.