Hot tubs may treat autism symptoms

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 88 children suffers from some form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and growing evidence suggests that the condition may be a result of an overactive immune system – which results in high levels of inflammation.
This theory is supported by the fact that about a third of autistic individuals show clinical improvement when they have a fever. In response to high body temperature, the immune system may release protective anti-inflammatory signals in the body, which may explain the effect on autism symptoms.
To test this idea, Hollander and his team tried to mimic a fever by placing children with autism in hot baths – one set at 98 degrees Fahrenheit and one set at 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
“When they were at 102 degrees for half hour, there was an improvement in autism symptoms ,” Hollander said. “Then when you look at repetitive behaviors and social communication, parents rated them improved at 102 degrees” – compared to 98 degrees.