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About 150 therapists who claim to "cure" autism have received warnings from the advertising watchdog while their methods have no scientific credibility and could seriously harm children.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has stated that treatment with Cease (complete elimination of autism spectrum) could remedy the situation and was "worrying".
Discontinuing treatment supposedly involves the elimination of "toxic footprints" caused by vaccines, drugs and other substances and certain diseases.
Therapists recommend "treatment" in the form of nutritional supplements – usually high doses of vitamin C and zinc – as well as dietary restrictions.
Executive Director Guy Parker wrote on the ASA website that these claims had no scientific credibility and were contrary to NHS guidelines.
He warned that discouraging vaccinations for children could have potentially harmful consequences, while an overdose of vitamin C could cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, with children being affected more severely than children. the adults.
Too much zinc was also at odds with the NHS advice, risking anemia and weakening of the bones.
Mr. Parker said that there were "unfortunately" few obstacles to becoming a Cease therapist, various websites offering trainings of a duration of three to five days, after which practitioners would be " qualified "to administer the" treatment "without control.
Health related products are subject to strict advertising rules. In particular, they should not falsely claim that a product is capable of curing an illness or intellectual disability. Nor should they discourage essential treatments for conditions requiring medical attention.
More: Autism
Last year, the ASA banned the claim that Cease treatment could "treat" autism, ADHD / ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression and schizophrenia in adults and children.
However, the watchdog said the problem was ongoing and that he had sent out notices to about 150 Cease therapists still active in the UK, warning that he would be targeted by other penalties if necessary.
He referred several cases to the Trade Standards for further investigation and indicated that any breach of the criminal law could lead to prosecution.
Mr. Parker said, "It is the mental and physical well-being of young people in particular that concerns us here. Generally, Cease treatment is promoted as a treatment for children with autism.
"As the National Autistic Society makes clear, autism is neither a disease nor an illness. He can not be healed. It is therefore very worrying to see some people claim to do that. To mislead and put aside false hope aside, such claims can cause harm. We are therefore taking steps to eliminate them. "
Carol Povey, director of the National Autistic Society's Center for Autism, said, "Autism lasts a lifetime. It's not a disease or an illness. And many autistic people feel that their autism is an integral part of their identity.
"It is deeply shocking for anyone to argue that untested and even harmful therapies and products can" cure "autism – and particularly frightening when people are targeting vulnerable families.
"We are very pleased that the Advertising Standards Authority is taking steps to combat the false allegations of peddling people who stop treatment."
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