Autism is a development disorder typified by impaired social interaction and communication skills. The disorder is generally diagnosed before age 3. Applied behavior analysis, medication, and occupational, physical and speech therapy are appropriate treatment methods recommended by the National Institutes of Health, or NIH. However, some children have responded to gluten-free or casein-free diets, but not all experts agree that this form of treatment is appropriate or helpful.
About Autism
Autism has been linked to abnormal brain chemistry. The causes of these abnormalities are unknown. However, scientists believe that genetics, diet, mercury poisoning and vaccine sensitivity may be causes of the disorder. Symptoms include light, auditory and taste sensitive, unusual distress when routines are changed, inability to adjust gaze to look at objects, and developmental challenges or inability to communicate. The NIH states that autism is three to four times more common in boys than girls and one in 91 children have a disorder relating to autism, according to a February 2010 article in "The Washington Post." If you suspect your child is autistic, contact your doctor for a diagnostic test, which may include a hearing evaluation, blood lead test and diagnostic review.
Research and Diet
In 1971, M.S. Goodwin connected gluten to abnormal brain response. According to The Autism File, a quarterly magazine that shares information about autism from the perspective of doctors, consultants, teachers and parents, gluten and casein-free diets may improve cognition, language and social behavior, including eye contact. Amino acid chains from gluten and casein can bind to opioid receptors in the brains, thus affecting behavior. The Autism Research Institute of San Diego tracks the efficacy of dietary modification. More than 60 percent of people tracked report improvement from dietary intervention, although the improvement varies from slight to significant.
Diet-friendly Foods
Casein is found in milk, cheese and a variety of other dairy products and gluten is found in wheat, rye and barley products. Staples of a gluten-free diet include fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, milk-based items, potatoes, rice, corn and beans. Because of the increased prominence in gluten-free diets, you can buy many foods gluten-free, including bread, pancakes and pastries. Staples of casein-free diet include soy products, fruits, vegetables and calcium supplements. Casein is a milk protein -- any food that includes dairy will include casein. Unlike gluten-free products, casein-free products are difficult to come by and are expensive to produce.
Considerations
Doctors and health professionals do not agree on dietary modification and autism. While some believe it works, others do not. Scientists point out that there is little compelling evidence that the diet works and research has yielded that the diet does not work, such as the small study by Dr. Susan Hyman at the University of Rochester in 2010 that found that gluten-free, casein-free diets did not alleviate the symptoms of autism. However, many parents claim to have had luck with the diet, regardless of scientific evidence. If you are considering dietary modifications for your child, work closely with your doctor and a dietitian to ensure your child still receives a healthy, well-balanced diet.
References
- NIH PubMed Health: Autism
- "The Washington Post"; Autism and Diet: Many Questions to Digest; Jennifer LaRue Huget; February 2010
- NIH PubMed Health: Celiac Disease - Nutritional Considerations
- Healing Thresholds.com: Casein-Free Diet and Children with Autism
- Reuters; Milk, Wheat-Free Diet May Not Help Autism: U.S. study; Maggie Fox; May 2010
- The Autism File: Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder Through Special Diets
