Autism, more formally known as autism spectrum disorder, usually appears in children younger than 3. It is a mysterious disorder that affects roughly one out of every 110 kids. As the Mayo Clinic states, autistic children have problems in three areas of development -- social interaction, language and behavior. Some mildly autistic kids grow up to live a fairly normal life, while others remain severely disabled throughout their lives.The causes of autism remain unknown as of publication, although both genetic and environmental factors are linked with the disorder. Some physicians recommend special diets excluding milk products as a possible treatment for autism; however, there is little medical evidence showing these diets work.
Special Diets
Many parents of autistic children have experimented with various diets for their kids. Gluten, a protein found in most grain and wheat products, and casein, a protein found in milk and other dairy products, are often eliminated in restricted diets for kids with autism. By eliminating dairy from your child's diet, you also eliminate a sugar called lactose as well as casein. Many people are lactose intolerant. If your autistic child is one of them, he might feel better without dairy. To date, only anecdotal evidence to supports claims of significant improvement in autistic kids who are taken off milk products.
Milk Intolerance
Intolerance to milk or milk products is normally referred to as lactose intolerance. As the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse explains, if you are lactose intolerant, your body has little or no ability to digest lactose. If you feel uncomfortable 30 to 120 minutes after eating milk or milk products, and your symptoms include abdominal pain and bloating, gas, diarrhea and nausea, lactose intolerance is the likely culprit. Some people have mild cases of the condition and can drink milk or eat milk products in limited quantities.
Research
A 1999 study of 57 autistic kids in England, presented to the Allergy Research Foundation and reported in BBC News, discovered that many of the kids, especially those with late-onset autism, improved significantly with a diet low in wheat, milk and and other foods that often are poorly tolerated. Some of the kids in the study were given anti-fungal treatment and a gluten/casein-free diet, some only the gluten/casein-free diet. The drug-free kids took longer to respond positively but avoided possible side effects from the drugs.
Considerations
According to Dr. Fiona Scott of the Autism Research Centre in England, it's impossible to say whether the improvements many of the kids made are linked to autism symptoms or the reduction in side effects of food intolerance, including insomnia and irritability. She doubts whether special diets or food restrictions ever will "cure" autism. According to Dr.Jay L. Hoecker at the Mayo Clinic, "there is no evidence that special diets are an effective autism treatment." However, it is understandable that parents would try almost anything to help a child with autism, especially if anecdotal evidence seems promising. If you want to try a milk-free and dairy-free diet for your autistic child, work with a registered dietician who is experienced with autism. Restricted diets can leave kids without sufficient nutrients if the meals aren't carefully planned.
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