For years, Nathaniel Schumann lived in silence. Diagnosed with autism, receptive-expressive language disorder, and ADHD, he could only utter a few words at a time — until age eight, when something extraordinary happened.
After beginning treatment with leucovorin, a generic form of vitamin B9 (folate), Nathaniel began to speak in full sentences. His first words weren’t just random — they were memories, thoughts, and frustrations he had been holding in for years. “He had a laundry list of everything that upset him,” said his mother, Dr. Kathleen Schnier, who shared their journey with The New York Post.
From Silence to Speech
Leucovorin, long used to mitigate chemotherapy side effects, is now showing promise for children with cerebral folate deficiency, a condition where antibodies block folate transport to the brain. Research led by Dr. Richard Frye of the Rossignol Medical Center found that about 70% of autistic children may have this deficiency — and that leucovorin helps bypass it.
In Frye’s early trials, two-thirds of participants improved their language skills after taking the supplement. For Nathaniel, the effect was life-changing. Within months, he could form coherent sentences, communicate emotions, and connect with others. “The TV in my brain, I can say it in my mouth,” he told his mother — describing the sensation of finally being able to speak what he had always understood.
A New Chapter
Today, the 13-year-old from Phoenix leads an active life — singing with the Phoenix Children’s Chorus, playing guitar and trumpet, and even performing the national anthem at a Diamondbacks game.
While leucovorin is not a “miracle pill,” Kathleen emphasizes that it works best alongside traditional therapies such as speech, occupational, and developmental support. “It’s not a cure, but it helped unlock what was already inside him,” she said.
Still, she worries about potential misuse of the discovery — especially as Arizona faces budget cuts to disability services. “I don’t want people to think, ‘Here’s a pill, we can cut therapy,’” she warned. “You need both — medical support and human connection.”
For families navigating autism, Nathaniel’s story offers hope — and a reminder that science and persistence can work together to unlock new possibilities.
As reported by McKenzie Beard for the New York Post, October 14, 2025.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/14/health/my-nonverbal-autistic-son-began-speaking-at-8-with-leucovorin/
