The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children over the past few decades has been consistently established globally. The reported rates in developed countries continued to be significantly higher than many developing countries. Current estimates range from 1.5%–6.2% depending on the country and methods for diagnosis. Due to its often life-long nature of impairments, ASD has significant implications on the day-to-day functioning of individuals and their families. Research has consistently shown that parenting a child with autism is more stressful and challenging than parenting a typically developing child [1].

Autism is characterised by restrictive rituals, an interest that does not require the presence of a friend, inability to reciprocate emotion, poor eye contact, impaired verbal and written communication and social impairment. Children with autism may have intellectual disability and require special education. Adults with autism may have poor anger and temper control and misinterpret social cues.

There is no specific pharmacological treatment for people with autism. For children, psychotherapy focuses on understanding social cues and emotions, improving communication and social interaction, and rewarding socially desirable behavior as part of behavior therapy.  Adults with autism may need medications to regulate emotion, anger and impulse control.

In a recent research, transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) was found to improve social functioning and sleep (20 sessions over 4 weeks) [2].