Some studies offered parents training in autism MEAL plans for eight weeks and found that the behavioral approach eased caregiver stress around mealtimes a great deal. However, it was noted that children with autism did not have behavioral improvements around meals or food selectivity. Future research is still needed to understand if applying this specific behavioral approach can help children long term or if there is little benefit to the approach. Gluten-free/casein-free diet (GFCF): Many parents put their children on the GFCF diet, especially parents who have children with autism. Since both gluten, a wheat protein, and casein, a dairy protein, can make digestive problems in people with autism worse, removing these from a child's diet can seem to make sense. The gluten-free/casein-free diet may improve behaviors around food for a while, but it can be difficult to make sure your child gets enough protein, whole grains, and amino acids, which are often part of bread and dairy in Western diets.
Begin planning meals that contain several fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins, so there is a variety of options. Sprinkle in new foods with tried-and-true options you know your child will like. Foods to Avoid If you notice a particular food results in stomach issues or negative behaviors, avoid it. These are common foods that may cause issues in children with autism: Milk and other dairy products Wheat products High-sugar foods Processed meats Work with your child's pediatrician and potentially a nutritionist to determine the best foods for your child to eat. A behavior therapist can devise a plan to help you introduce new foods to their diet in the optimal way. References Zinc. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.
Dear Melissa, My 3 year old son was just diagnosed with Autism. In researching this diagnosis, I am finding numerous on-line parent groups discussing the benefits of a Gluten-Free/Casein-Free diet. Should I consider changing my son's diet? This is a pretty hot button topic. Knowing this, I completed hours of research and reviewed piles of literature on the topic. So, let's begin by defining these odd sounding dietary items, gluten and casein. Gluten is a protein found in cereal grains. The gluten proteins found in wheat, barley and rye are problematic for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Casein on the other hand is a protein found in milk and cheese. In addition, many processed foods also contain wheat products, milk products, or both. Check-out the pile of literature I have collected! What is a Gluten-Free/Casein-Free (GFCF) Diet? The benefit of a GFCF diet is based on the theory that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may have an allergy or particular sensitivity to foods containing gluten or casein.
However, it will also let you know if you are wasting your time, money, and stress levels, and need to focus your energy elsewhere. Are you a parent of a child with ASD who has tried a GFCF diet? Did it work for you? Did it not? I would love to hear your stories! I have provided TONS of resources this week, so you can look at both sides of the issue. Happy researching! Resources/Supplemental Articles Brennan, D. (reviewer) Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Diets for Autism, (September 2015) WebMD. Bortfeld, H., In Defense of the CGCFST Diet for Children with Autism, (Posted September 29, 2015), Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) Non-Profit Advocacy Buie, T. The relationship of autism and gluten, (2013) Clinical Therapeutics Journal, Harvard Medical School. 35(5), 578-83. Buie, T., Campbell, D. B., Fuchs, G. J., Gleen, T. F.,... Winter, H. (2010) Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders in Individuals With ASDs: A Consensus Report, Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, vol.
Due to food preferences or obsessions, some children may have too much of one or two of these nutrients. Food avoidances mean that many autistic children don't have enough of these vitamins and minerals.