Systems and methods for treating autism spectrum disorder, developmental disorders and other medical conditions

1 . A method for preventing, treating, or preventing recurrence of symptoms of autism or autism spectrum disorder in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising:

administering to said subject electrical transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) applied to the tragus or concha of an ear with a frequency of 2-5 Hz, pulse width of 150-500 μs, and current of 0.5-1.0 mAmps, wherein symptoms of autism or autism spectrum disorder are prevented, treated, or prevented from recurring,

wherein the subject is a child who is refractory to standard autism treatments.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject exhibits inflammation or gut microbiome dysfunction.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the VNS is provided transcutaneously using electrical stimulation through an electrical current.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the electrical stimulation is achieved by clipping electrodes across the tragus or concha of an ear and inducing an electrical current with a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the electrical stimulation is performed for about 30 sec to about 10 min.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the number of doses per day is selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the length of treatment is 1 to 120 months.

8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the subject receives 1-2, 5-minute treatments per day for 48 months.