Chelating agents can be given through an IV, or by mouth. The most common chelating agents for removing heavy metals (lead, arsenic or mercury) include dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA).
Chelation is sometimes used as an alternative therapy for autism. It's used is based on the highly controversial theory that mercury poisoning from vaccines (or other sources) actually causes autism -- and thus the removal of mercury will improve symptoms or actually cure autism. Unfortunately, the evidence for chelation as a treatment for autism is highly questionable, and chelation is not risk-free.
If you do decide to consider chelation as a treatment for autism, it is important to do so in the context of a medical center or hospital. Kit-type tests for mercury toxicity are likely to be inaccurate, and do-it-yourself chelation has the potential to be extremely dangerous.
Sources:
Davidson PW, Myers GJ, Weiss B (2004). "Mercury exposure and child development outcomes". Pediatrics 113 (4 Suppl): 1023–9.
"Mercury and vaccines (thimerosal)". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mutter J, Naumann J, Schneider R, Walach H, Haley B (2005). "Mercury and autism: accelerating evidence?" (PDF). Neuro Endocrinol Lett 26 (5): 439–46.
Myers GJ, Davidson PW. Does methylmercury have a role in causing developmental disabilities in children? Environ Health Perspect 2000 108 Suppl 3:413-420.
Weber W, Newmark S (2007). "Complementary and alternative medical therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism". Pediatr Clin North Am 54 (6): 983–1006.
