Adverts for supplements claiming to treat Autism banned
As reported by various news outlets today, adverts for three supplement brands that claimed to treat certain medical conditions, including autism and ADHD have been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/aspire-nutrition-a24-1241337-aspire-nutrition.html
A paid for Facebook ad for Aspire Nutrition was found in breach of the ASA’s advertising code as it claimed the supplements or substances in them could help prevent, treat or cure autism.
Aspire Nutrition in their response claimed the post was a “retargeting ad” that was displayed to consumers who had visited their website (based in the US) and they did not advertise directly to UK residents.
They have since stopped all ads being sent to UK residents and withdrawn their advert entirely for all audiences.
Aspire Nutrition still advertise their supplements on Amazon (US) but do not include the text found by the ASA making the false claims that their product will help treat autism.
Aspire Nutrition in their response claimed the post was a “retargeting ad” that was displayed to consumers who had visited their website (based in the US) and they did not advertise directly to UK residents.
They have since stopped all ads being sent to UK residents and withdrawn their advert entirely for all audiences.
Aspire Nutrition still advertise their supplements on Amazon (US) but do not include the text found by the ASA making the false claims that their product will help treat autism.
Who is Aspire Nutrition?
The founder of the company, Marty Orefice has a son with autism and writes that a “daily regimen of proper nutrition and supplements completely changed the trajectory of his life”
He also suffered health issues around the same time his son was diagnosed (aged 3) and focused on reaching non-traditional and natural methods to get well.
Founded in 2017, he went on to share his research and learning with other families, chemists and experts and so started, Aspire Nutrition.
The Concern
Let’s be clear. There are numerous studies of supplements, diet, behavioural interventions (the list goes on) that could benefit those with neurodevelopmental conditions. What Aspire Nutrition are trying to achieve is no different to many other brands and as far as we know, are doing nothing legally wrong.
Supplements can bring a wide range of health benefits, but they are just supplements. They are designed and even named as such to indicate that they supplement a healthy eating / fitness routine.
What Aspire Nutrition are doing with certain products, however, are reframing what the supplement is to a specific target audience, namely to those families who live with autism.
This is the part that is wrong.
We know from having met thousands of families over the years how desperate some of them are to make life better for themselves and their family. When people become this desperate, rational thinking often goes out the window and they are prepared to try anything.
So, when companies like Aspire Nutrition come along and push their products with a narrative that it will help them, of course, they are going to consider purchasing. It is the very framing of the product that has led Aspire Nutrition to be sanctioned by the UK’s ASA, although interestingly, they remain focused on selling the narrative that their products target autism and ADHD without challenge in the US.
Examples
The bio of Aspire Nutrition on Linkedin includes statements such as:
This journey led to discoveries that transformed not only our lives but also those of countless families navigating Autism and neurodivergent conditions.
Our customers' experiences speak volumes - fewer tantrums, improved speech and interaction, better sleep, reduced sensory sensitivities, and more.
There's nothing quite like hearing a parent say their child looked them in the eye for the first time or said their first words. These moments fuel our dedication and commitment to making a difference.
Worryingly, the video that is still live on Aspire’s Linkedin page claims the supplements are designed for kids with autism and also tells consumers “there is hope”.
Towards the end of the video Marty tells consumers “my son is fully recovered”.
The Aspire Nutrition website itself seems less focused on inferring their products treat ADHD and autism but instead skirt around the traits of these conditions in trying to sell them. They do, however, manage to find the smallest possible font at the bottom of each page to state:
This website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by a healthcare professional. *These statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The important line in this paragraph is that the FDA have NOT approved any of their statements.
Aspire Nutrition also seem to partner with other autism focused communities where they again push a narrative that some supplements will treat autism and ADHD.
The Autism Hope Alliance who are a non-profit organisation connected with the natural products industry has a page dedicated to Aspire Nutrition where they state
Aspire Nutrition is a family-owned company that makes supplements built to support the physical, mental, & emotional development of children diagnosed with autism/ADHD.
Spectrum Awakening
Interestingly, the Autism Hope Alliance also push content from Dr Jared Skowron who founded Spectrum Awakening. Dr. Jared M. Skowron has been working with children with Autism and ADHD for over fifteen years.
He specialises in using natural, non-pharmaceutical therapies to support healthy neurological development.
The ASA found one of his paid adverts on Facebook in the UK breached the advertising standards code by wrongly claiming its products could help to prevent, treat or cure autism and ADHD.
Spectrum Awakening did not respond to the ASA.
https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/spectrum-awakening-a24-1238193-spectrum-awakening.html
Final Thoughts
There is no cure for autism or ADHD.
For most clients, a cure is not even wanted as their autism and ADHD is what makes them, them! It is who they are.
Of course, for more complex clients, more effective treatment may be desired and who knows, in the future with all the medical advancements, one day, something may be discovered that helps those on the more severe end of the spectrum.
Right now, however, there is no such thing.
For ADHD there are known, tested and studied pharmaceutical options that are evidenced to be effective in supporting the condition. Please speak to your registered GP or a private psychiatrist for more information.
For autism, pharmaceutical options are not available (outside those treating anxiety for example)
There are evidence based behavioural and therapeutic interventions that have been proven to help and it is recommended that those seeking support seek out reputable organisations such as the National Autistic Society for further support and guidance.
A good healthy diet (which may or may not include supplements) is always going to be better and in nearly all cases provide a positive outcome over that of an unhealthy diet.
Our advice is not to trust any private company or individual selling a supplement or product that claims it treats autism or ADHD until you have spoken with a registered medical practitioner.
