Herbs, playtime and the senses: A South Korean study on holistic, parent-led autism care at home

• A six-month home-based treatment combining herbal medicine, floortime therapy and sensory enrichment was tested on 18 children with autism in South Korea.
• Children showed significant improvements in communication, sensory processing and social interaction – half no longer met clinical criteria for autism by study’s end.
• All therapies were delivered by parents, with over 90 percent adherence – highlighting the power of consistent, family-centered care.
• No serious side effects were reported, and therapies were affordable, non-invasive and adaptable to home life.
• The study suggests that holistic, parent-driven treatment may offer a promising, low-risk complement to traditional autism therapies.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex. It brings undeniable challenges to both individuals diagnosed with it and their immediate families. Understanding this complexity is key to supporting individuals on the spectrum with empathy, innovation and respect.

A South Korean study published last January in Frontiers in Neurology adds to a growing body of research exploring natural, holistic and parent-driven therapies as part of a more integrative approach to autism care. This trend – especially appealing to younger or working class families who may feel overwhelmed by an autism diagnosis – is offering new hope and practical tools for care that can begin right at home.

ASD is often associated with behavioral, communication and social challenges – but that’s just the surface. Many autistic individuals also experience co-occurring conditions like anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy or metabolic disorders which, together, contribute to poorer long-term health outcomes. So while autism is a lifelong condition, that doesn’t mean progress is off the table. Children can and do make meaningful improvements with the right support, especially when started early and with consistency.

The South Korean study explored the impact of a six-month integrative treatment program involving herbal medicine (HM), floortime therapy and Sensory Enrichment Therapy (SET). All three therapies were delivered primarily by parents at home, with clinical guidance and check-ins from healthcare professionals. Eighteen children with ASD participated, and the results were promising.

Herbs, emotions and the senses

Each therapy was administered at home by the child’s parents, showcasing a family-led, non-pharmaceutical approach that could be adapted to modern home life.

Herbal medicine

Customized herbal prescriptions were based on each child’s symptoms and nutritional needs. Parents administered these herbal formulas three times a day. Common remedies included:

• Shihogyeji-tang for sensory processing difficulties:  This ancient herb is prescribed in East Asian Medicine for psychological symptoms like agitation and irritability and often for treating colds and flu-like symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory and calming effects. In the U.S., this is available in herbal medicine shops and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinics, usually under names like “Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang.”
• Galgeun-tang (also spelled Ge Gen Tang) for issues with motor coordination: Known for its muscle-relaxing properties, this herb is sometimes used by acupuncturists, herbalists and U.S. practitioners of TCM for tension headaches or neck and shoulder stiffness – but not yet mainstream.
• Baekho-tang and Daeseunggi-tang to support attention and concentration: While early research hints that these traditional herbal formulas may help with sensory processing and focus, the scientific evidence is very limited. In the U.S., such remedies are rarely used and typically prescribed only by licensed herbalists, often as part of a broader, personalized treatment plan, not as standalone solutions.

Though these herbal prescriptions may sound unfamiliar in the U.S., they are widely used in Traditional Korean Medicine and increasingly studied for their neurological effects, which include calming overactive brain activity and supporting cognition in animal models of autism.

Floortime therapy

Floortime therapy is all about emotional connection. Rather than directing the child, parents are encouraged to enter the “child’s world,” follow their interests and build from there – using play to support emotional development and communication. In this program, parents spent at least two hours daily, five days a week, engaging in Floortime sessions with their children.

Research has shown that Floortime can lead to increased cognitive control in the brain, particularly in the medial prefrontal cortex – supporting better self-monitoring and response inhibition in children with autism.

Sensory Enrichment Therapy (SET)

SET uses multi-sensory stimulation to help the brain form new, adaptive neural pathways. Parents conducted 20-minute sessions at home, two days a week, using therapist-provided kits with smell, sound, taste and touch activities.

In animal studies, sensory enrichment has been shown to promote neuroplasticity – increasing brain size, motor learning, synaptic connections and even cognitive function. While human studies are still emerging, these brain-based benefits hold strong therapeutic potential.

Key findings

By the end of the program, the study found that:

• More than 90 percent of parents stuck to the program – proving its feasibility even in busy households.
• Children showed significant improvements in autism symptoms based on two standardized tools: the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC).
• The treatments were well-tolerated, with no major adverse events reported.

The program’s success was not due to any one treatment – it was likely due to the synergy between therapies, guided by professional support and sustained by active parental engagement. The researchers believe that integrating traditional herbal medicine with behavioral therapies can be an accessible, lower-cost complement to conventional care, especially when time or financial resources are limited.

Autism doesn’t come with a universal guidebook. While the findings are encouraging, the authors are careful not to overstate them. Still, this marks an important step toward integrative, family-driven autism care (with time, love and structure) that respects both tradition and science. With more research, culturally grounded therapies like these may play a larger role in how children with autism are supported, helping families feel not just involved but empowered. When it comes to autism care, it is not just about changing behavior – it’s about understanding a different way of being and embracing it fully and respectfully.

Watch this video about a parent-mediated, play-based treatment program for ASD.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Groundbreaking study reveals biological basis for sensory processing disorders in kids.

Tips of helping children focus and study: Improve sensory integration especially in children with ADHD, hyperactivity with nutrition and lifestyle changes.

Science reshapes autism by looking beyond the brain.

Sources include:

FrontiersIn.org

Brighteon.com