A Mother’s CBD Journey With Her Autistic Son (Reddit Case Study, Annotated, & Organized)

This is a curated case study based on a public Reddit thread by user u/Shoonasasi. Quotes have been paraphrased for clarity. This is not medical advice.

Key Points

• Transformative Impact: A parent reported that CBD oil significantly reduced their son’s severe autism-related behaviors, improving family life.
• Preliminary Research: Studies, like a 2019 Israeli study, suggest CBD may help with autism symptoms, but more rigorous trials are needed.
• Legal Considerations: In Canada, CBD oil for children requires a prescription, highlighting the need for medical oversight.
• Individual Variability: Effects vary; not all children respond positively, and long-term safety, especially with THC, remains uncertain.
• Controversy Exists: Some caution against CBD use due to limited evidence and potential risks to developing brains.

A Family’s Hopeful Journey

A parent shared a compelling story on Reddit about how CBD oil transformed their 11-year-old son’s life, alleviating severe behavioral challenges tied to autism. 

This account offers hope but underscores the need for careful consideration.

Why It Matters

For families grappling with autism’s challenges, finding effective treatments can be life-changing. 

This story highlights CBD oil’s potential while acknowledging the ongoing debate about its safety and efficacy.

Proceed with Caution

Parents considering CBD oil should consult healthcare professionals and research thoroughly, as legal restrictions and individual responses vary widely.

Introduction

In a heartfelt post on Reddit, a parent recounted their experience using CBD oil to manage their 11-year-old son’s severe behavioral issues associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

The child in question was 11 years old, diagnosed with:

• PDA autism (Pathological Demand Avoidance)
• ADHD
• Anxiety disorder
• Sensory Processing Disorder

The story, shared in 2018, details a journey from desperation to hope, offering insights for families navigating similar challenges. 

This article retells their experience in the third person, weaving in context about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and the evolving research on CBD oil for autism.

The Struggle With Severe Autism

The son, diagnosed with ASD, anxiety disorder, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), exhibited behaviors that pushed his family to the brink. 

PDA, a profile within autism, involves an extreme avoidance of demands driven by intense anxiety, often manifesting as defiance, meltdowns, or panic attacks. 

The family had reached a crisis point:

• Daily explosive tantrums
• Destruction of property and threats of harm
• Police calls and ER visits
• Locked knives and PTSD symptoms in both parents

The boy’s behaviors included daily screaming tantrums, property destruction, and threats of self-harm or harm to others, leading his parents to lock up knives for safety. 

A behavioral consultant noted that both parents showed signs of PTSD from the relentless stress. 

Multiple emergency room visits, prompted by police interventions, underscored the severity of the situation, and the family considered voluntary care placement through Canada’s ministry of children.

Traditional treatments, including medications for anxiety and ADHD, reduced tantrums from daily to twice weekly, but the relief was insufficient. 

Therapies like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and occupational therapy also fell short, particularly in addressing the emotional dysregulation at the core of the son’s challenges.

Discovering CBD Oil

Desperate for solutions, the parent researched CBD oil as a potential treatment for autism-related behavioral issues. 

In Canada, administering CBD oil to children without a prescription is illegal, so they consulted their son’s psychiatrist, who provided a prescription for medical marijuana, which included CBD. 

The family chose to work with Tilray, a licensed provider known for rigorous third-party testing, ensuring product safety and quality.

New to CBD for Autism?
Get evidence-based insights, safety tips, and expert-backed guidance in our complete parent’s guide.

👉 CBD for Autistic Child: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

The CBD Oil Journey

First Formula Tried:

• Ratio: 1 part THC : 20 parts CBD
• Initial dose: 2 drops per day, gradually increased to 10 drops

In July 2018, the family began administering a 1:20 THC/CBD oil, starting with two drops daily and increasing by two drops weekly, reaching ten drops. 

Within four days, they noticed their son seemed calmer, though they initially questioned whether their desperation influenced their perception. 

Encouraged, they continued, later switching to a 5:20 THC/CBD oil after consulting Tilray. They started at five drops daily, gradually increasing to 20 drops. 

To ease administration, they mixed the oil into melted chocolate, creating edibles that masked the taste and extended the effects to over eight hours, compared to three to five hours when taken sublingually.

Remarkable Transformation – Results After Initial Use

The results were profound. 

Within four days:

• Calmer behavior
• No tantrums from previously daily outbursts
• Reduced bedtime resistance and emotional reactivity

The family then switched to a 5:20 THC/CBD ratio and increased the dosage to 20 drops per day, which led to:

• Playful interactions with siblings
• Initiation of jokes and conversations
• Independence in daily routines (making food, handling transitions)
• Social-emotional awareness (asking how others are feeling)

“He isn’t doped up. He’s bright, joyful, and finally regulated.”

Tantrums ceased entirely, and the son began engaging positively with his family. He started making his own breakfast and lunches, tasks previously impossible due to motor skill challenges. 

He accepted “no” without distress, no longer begging for expensive toys or sobbing when denied. 

He became thoughtful, kind, and silly, spending time with his family instead of isolating in his room. 

At a summer theme park, he asked his mother, “Mum, how did you enjoy the park?”—a first, as he had never before shown interest in others’ experiences. 

He played joyfully with his five-year-old sister, teaching her Harry Potter spells and crafting a Lego wand for her pretend play.

The parent described it as if a veil had been lifted, allowing their son to be fully present. 

He was not sedated but bright and happy, able to enjoy life without the overwhelming frustration of overstimulation or emotional dysregulation. 

The positive aspects of his autism—creativity, humor, and kindness—shone through, while the challenges faded. 

The parent finally understood the sentiment of parents who say they wouldn’t change their autistic child, a feeling they couldn’t relate to before.

How CBD Was Administered

Sublingual drops proved difficult due to sensory issues. 

The family:

• Mixed CBD oil into melted chocolate
• Created pre-measured chocolate molds
• Administered with breakfast to aid fat-based absorption

Notes on Absorption

• Sublingual bioavailability: ~30%
• Oral/edible bioavailability: ~6–13%, but longer-lasting

They tracked dosing and effects in a daily log to find the optimal amount.

Understanding PDA And CBD’s Role

PDA, as described by the Child Mind Institute, involves extreme resistance to demands, often interfering with functioning at home or school. 

For this boy, CBD oil appeared to reduce the anxiety driving his avoidance behaviors, enabling him to manage demands more effectively. 

While not a cure, it alleviated specific symptoms, allowing his strengths to flourish.

Community Feedback From Reddit

Dozens of parents chimed in to share:

• Similar successes with CBD-only or CBD/THC combinations
• Different dosing methods (sublingual, gummies, infused honey)
• Challenges in finding pediatricians willing to prescribe
• Anecdotal improvements in aggression, anxiety, sleep, and speech

Redditors also discussed:

• The legality of pediatric use in various countries
• Delivery method pros/cons
• Bioavailability and food absorption hacks
• Clinical studies in Israel, San Diego, and Philadelphia

Guidance For Other Parents

If you’re considering CBD for a child with autism:

✅ Do:

• Start low and go slow (begin with 1–2 drops per day)
• Track behaviors and dosage over time
• Use products with Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
• Consult with a licensed doctor or pediatric psychiatrist

⚠️ Avoid

• Using products without lab testing
• Assuming what worked for one child will work for all
• Administering THC products without professional oversight

Popular Brands Mentioned

• Joy Organics (Check Pricing)
• cbdMD (Check Pricing)
• A Gift From Nature (Check Pricing
• Plus CBD (Check Pricing)

Ready to Explore Trusted, THC-Free CBD Options for Your Child?

Discover lab-tested, parent-approved products and expert tips in our full guide:
👉 Best CBD for Autistic Child: Top Products & Parent’s Guide

Research On CBD Oil For Autism

Scientific research on CBD oil for autism is promising but preliminary, with most studies conducted in Israel due to its progressive stance on medical cannabis. 

Below is a summary of key findings:

• 2019 Study: A study in Scientific Reports followed 188 children with ASD treated with 30% CBD and 1.5% THC oil for six months. Over 80% showed significant to moderate symptom improvement, including reduced seizures (84.6%), restlessness (91%), and rage attacks (90.3%), alongside better mood, sleep, and independence.
• 2022 Study: An open-label study in Translational Psychiatry involved 82 children and adolescents with ASD using a 20:1 CBD:THC oil. Significant improvements were noted in social communication (ADOS-2 Social Affect CSS, SRS social scores) and adaptive behaviors (Vineland-3), with some reduction in restricted and repetitive behaviors (SRS RRB scores).
• 2021 Preclinical Study: A Tel Aviv University study in Translational Psychiatry using mice with a Shank3 mutation found THC more effective than CBD for social behavior, with low doses sufficient and no long-term cognitive effects.
• 2024 Study: A study in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research with 65 children aged 5-12 found CBD-dominant extracts reduced anxiety and repetitive behaviors, advocating for further controlled studies.

These studies suggest CBD oil, often with low THC, may benefit some autistic children, but open-label designs and inconsistent results highlight the need for rigorous, double-blind trials to confirm efficacy and safety, particularly regarding long-term THC effects on developing brains.

A Balanced Perspective

The parent emphasized that CBD oil is not a universal solution and urged others to research thoroughly and consult healthcare professionals. 

They noted that while their experience was transformative, individual responses vary, and long-term safety, particularly with THC, remains uncertain. 

Some community members expressed caution, citing the lack of comprehensive studies and potential risks to developing brains, especially with THC-containing products.

Conclusion

The experiences of these parents illustrate CBD oil’s potential to alleviate severe autism symptoms, offering hope where traditional treatments fell short. 

From a Canadian boy overcoming violent tantrums to a nonverbal child speaking his first sentence, these stories highlight transformative possibilities. 

However, variability in outcomes, as seen in community feedback, underscores that CBD is not a universal solution.

Parents considering CBD oil must consult healthcare professionals to navigate legal restrictions—such as Canada’s prescription requirement—and ensure product safety. 

The legal status of CBD varies globally, with some regions allowing only hemp-derived CBD with minimal THC. 

Research, while promising, remains preliminary, with experts calling for more controlled studies to establish guidelines.

These parents’ resilience reflects the broader journey of families with autistic children, tirelessly seeking ways to enhance their children’s lives. 

As research progresses, CBD oil may become a clearer option, but for now, it represents a cautiously optimistic path forward.

Final Reflections: Hope Without Hype

This Reddit story reflects one family’s profound turnaround using CBD oil under medical supervision. 

It won’t be a miracle for every child, but it represents what’s possible when thoughtful, transparent care meets informed decision-making.

“CBD didn’t cure our son. It gave him access to his best self.”

Disclaimer: This case study is informational only. CBD is not FDA-approved for autism. Always consult a medical professional.

Additional Resources

• 📄 [Parent’s Guide to CBD Dosage for Children]
• 📋 [CBD Buying Checklist: Pediatric Edition]
• 🧪 [How to Read a CBD Certificate of Analysis (COA)]

Key Citations

• Cannabis may help relieve Autism symptoms, Israeli study shows
• Israeli study gives encouragement, and guidance, to cannabis-for-autism efforts
• A systematic review of cannabidiol trials in neurodevelopmental disorders
• In pioneering study, Israeli researchers target autism with cannabis
• Study: Cannabis oil 80% successful in helping autistic children
• Children and adolescents with ASD treated with CBD-rich cannabis exhibit significant improvements
• Real life Experience of Medical Cannabis Treatment in Autism: Analysis of Safety and Efficacy
• Medical Cannabis Mitigates Symptoms Of Autism In Israel Clinical Trial
• Cannabidiol Based Medical Cannabis in Children with Autism- a Retrospective Feasibility Study
• What is demand avoidance? – PDA Society
• Pathological demand avoidance in autism, explained | The Transmitter
• Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Kids – Child Mind Institute