Because the efficacy for nutritional intervention in autistic children is based solely on anecdotal evidence, a placebo-controlled double blind study is now clearly needed to establish scientifically in a carefully designed clinical trial whether this approach has efficacy or whether it does not. Either outcome will provide valuable information to parents and physicians currently recommending these supplements. If the outcome indicates therapeutic efficacy, this information will be published in the scientific literature so that mainstream medicine is aware of this approach. If the outcome indicates a lack of efficacy, dissemination of this information will be important to prevent needless wasting of monetary resources.