Wheat is one of the most common allergenic substances, and it's the primary ingredient in most pasta. Pasta can also contain egg, another highly allergenic substance. There's no scientific evidence to suggest that pasta allergies---whether caused by wheat or egg---affect development or symptoms of autism.
Allergies
Pasta is a relatively simple food; most consists of wheat alone, or wheat with egg. Both of these are highly allergenic substances, explains the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network; in fact, they're both among the eight most common allergens. If you are allergic to either wheat or egg, you likely react with digestive pain, hives, eczema or a combination of these symptoms. Serious allergies can even cause difficulty breathing and blood pressure fluctuations.
Autism
Autism is a disorder that affects your ability to interact socially and communicate via spoken language. According to MayoClinic.com, autism generally manifests in early childhood, even as early as infancy. Young children may fail to develop language or lose the abilities they've already developed as autism symptoms begin to show themselves. Other symptoms include failure to make eye contact, odd and repetitive behaviors, and extreme sensitivity to touch or preference not to be touched.
Autism and Pasta
The causes of and factors that exacerbate autism, explains MayoClinic.com, aren't well understood. However, there's no scientific evidence that links autism---either development of the disorder or worsening of symptoms---to any particular diet, food or allergy. If your child has autism and an allergy to an ingredient in pasta, neither one likely caused the other. However, because allergies can be serious, you should avoid pasta if you're allergic to it.
Solutions
If you suspect your child is developing symptoms of autism, see your pediatrician. Your child's doctor will probably refer you to a specialist who can confirm the diagnosis or suggest alternative diagnoses. It's not necessary to change your autistic child's diet unless the specialist advises you to do so. If you or your child has an allergy to an ingredient in pasta, you may want to see your physician or child's pediatrician to help you identify which ingredient is causing problems, so you can avoid it.
