Compositions and methods for improving quality of life in patients with autism spectrum disorder

A method for improving the quality of life in a subject diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), wherein the method comprises, in the following order:

• a) conducting blood test on the subject's blood wherein one blood test assesses immune system health of the subject and another blood test determines the presence or absence of a viral infection in the subject;
• b) administering to the subject an antiviral drug selected from valacyclovir, acyclovir, famciclovir, ganciclovir, valganciclovir, ribavirin, brivudin, cidofovir, fomivirsen, foscarnet, penciclovir, and vidarabine;
• c) administering to the subject alpha-lipoic acid, honokiol and monolaurin;
• and
• d) performing a follow-up test on the subject to determine to what extent, the subject's quality of life is improved as a result of the administration of the antiviral drug, alpha-lipoic acid, honokiol and monolaurin;
• wherein the follow-up test establishes that the method improves the quality of life of the subject by improving, in the subject, at least one sign or symptom associated with ASD, wherein the sign or symptom is selected from abnormalities in speech, verbal, communication, and/or language skills;
• repetitive behavior;
• stereotypy;
• sameness (resistance to change);
• ritualistic behavior;
• obsessive focus on certain topics and/or objects;
• and inability to make eye contact.