Blog

There may be a promising new treatment on the horizon for children with autism—and it’s not an expensive new breakthrough, but a generic, affordable medication that’s already widely available.

In Atlanta, families are reporting remarkable changes. One mom, for instance, has shared videos of her son Oren—once mostly nonverbal—now beginning to speak and engage more fully with the world around him. His journey is touching hearts, not only because of his progress, but because of what helped unlock it.

Leucovorin

Doctors discovered that, like many on the autism spectrum, Oren has difficulty absorbing folic acid, a vital nutrient for brain development. But now, thanks to leucovorin—a well-known, low-cost prescription drug often used for other conditions—he’s making strides that once seemed out of reach.

Dr. Richard Frye, a child neurologist leading clinical trials, explains that leucovorin may help folate cross into the brain more efficiently. In many children, that’s opening new doors in communication, focus, and social interaction.

“We’ve seen significant improvements in verbal ability,” Dr. Frye shares, “and for some families, it’s life-changing.”

The most exciting part about this? It’s not just helping children speak more—it’s helping them understand.

Dr. Richard Frye and his team found something remarkable in their testing of leucovorin. Not only did children begin using more words, but they also began to grasp the deeper meaning behind language, understanding tone, humor, and social cues that once felt out of reach. These are things many parents don’t even realize their children are struggling with… until suddenly, they begin to click.

For five-year-old Oren, the change was almost immediate. Just days after starting the medication, his mom remembers a moment that brought her to tears:

“He looked at his reflection in a window and said, ‘Mom, I see my shadow in the window.’ That was the first time he had ever shared an observation like that. It changed everything.”

This wasn’t just a sentence—it was a connection. A glimpse into Oren’s inner world. And for his parents, it felt like the start of something truly new.

The FDA first approved it in 1952

Interestingly, leucovorin isn’t new at all. The FDA first approved it in 1952, not for autism, but to help offset the side effects of chemotherapy. It’s been used safely for decades, and because it’s a generic drug, it’s also affordable. But that also means there’s little financial incentive for pharmaceutical companies to invest in the large-scale clinical trials needed to gain formal FDA approval for its use in treating autism-related communication challenges.

That’s why parent advocacy, community awareness, and further independent research are so essential.

We’re here to guide, support, and walk this path with you

At Illinois Autism, we believe families deserve access to every tool that can help children thrive. While leucovorin isn’t a magic fix and may not work for everyone, stories like Oren’s give us hope, and they remind us why we keep pushing forward.

If your child is showing signs of autism in Chicago, or if you’re just looking for answers, you’re not alone. At Illinois Autism, we’re here to guide, support, and walk this path with you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.