Her organization, which funds evidence-based autism research, does not recommend leucovorin as a treatment and says more studies are needed. Leucovorin “doesn’t have the criteria to meet FDA approval, but yet this administration is just doing it anyway. Some researchers suspect the condition is associated with autism, though not all autism patients have it. Leucovorin can help folate reach the brain, which in theory might improve verbal communication or reduce autism symptoms like irritability or repetitive behaviors. Halladay said leucovorin trials for autism looked at side effects, but didn’t specifically evaluate the medication’s safety.