Gluten-free Diet For The Autistic

A gluten-free diet is an eating plan that excludes foods containing gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. According to the Mayo Clinic, some parents of autistic children believe diets free of gluten may help autism, but there's no evidence a gluten-free diet is an effective treatment for this condition.

Diet Description

A gluten-free diet is a treatment for celiac disease, a condition characterized by gastrointestinal, or GI, problems, such as diarrhea, bloating and constipation. Eating bread, pasta, crackers, cakes and cookies can bring on these symptoms in people with celiac disease. People on a gluten-free diet must avoid these and other foods containing wheat, rye, barley, graham flour and other gluten-containing grains. Foods allowed on a gluten-free diet include rice, cornmeal, buckwheat, pure corn tortillas, fruits, vegetables, most dairy products, fresh meat, fish and poultry.

Autism & GI Problems

GI problems are a reported symptom of autism. According to a 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP, report on the evaluation and treatment of GI problems in autistic children, as many as 70 percent of autistic kids have GI symptoms. Autism is a spectrum of disorders affecting the ability to communicate and interact socially. Because of these communication problems, the AAP notes diagnosis and treatment of patients' GI problems can be challenging for doctors. Frustrated parents often turn to restrictive eating plans, such as the gluten-free diet, in an attempt to help their children.

Caution

Gluten-free diets can lead to nutritional deficiencies in growing children. Grains found in breads and pastas contain essential B vitamins and are often enriched with other nutrients, points out registered dietitian Sarah Krieger, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. If you're considering a gluten-free diet for autism, speak with your doctor first about other treatments and resources. If you decide to go ahead with a gluten-free diet, work with a registered dietitian to put together a nutritionally complete eating plan.

Tips

Look for foods labeled "gluten-free." Because so many people are on gluten-free diets, you'll find many foods made without gluten and labeled gluten-free. To avoid cross-contamination, don't use shared utensils, such as a bread knife, or shared condiment containers. The Mayo Clinic points out a knife with bread crumbs may contaminate a margarine stick or mayonnaise jar, or a condiment bottle could touch a bun made with wheat. Finally, watch for news reports about autism and gluten-free diets. As of 2011, studies on the effectiveness of gluten-free diets for autism are ongoing, according to the AAP. Findings may provide more information and guidance on gluten-free diets for the autistic.