Autism and a Gluten-Free Diet

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

31 Dec 2010 09:07 AM

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding autism and special diets. Many parents swear by special diets that improve their child's autism symptoms. Others believe that this is bunk with no scientific basis behind it. Who is right?

Unfortunately, there is no mainstream scientific research that supports improvement in autism due to a change to a gluten-free diet. The most recent study has come from researchers at the University of Rochester. They found that there was no significant benefit in putting a autistic child on a gluten-free diet.

One thing that was really interesting about the study, though, is that the study author, Susan Hyman, M.D>, associate professor of pediatrics at Rochester University, thinks that there might be a reason why parents seem improvement with a gluten-free or a milk-free diet.

It is possible that children with autism may be uncomfortable with gas or other digestive track issues that may be eliminated by skipping dairy products or gluten. Feeling better would naturally improve behavior, leading parents to think that the autism is improved.

Either way, parents may want to try giving an autistic child a gluten-free diet and see if it causes any improvement. Just remember that any dietary changes should first be discussed with a child's physician who can make sure that vital nutrients are being consumed and enough nutrition is present in the diet to meet all of the child's needs.

A deficiency could possibly make behavioral symptoms worse, affect growth or cause other medical issues that would need to be addressed.

If you have a child with autism, I would be very interested to hear your side of this debate. Have you ever tried a special diet with your child and have you seen it make an improvement in behavior? Has your child seemed happier on a special diet? Please share.

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, online content manager, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania in the middle of the woods but close enough to Target and Home Depot.

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