Autism Diet

A gluten-free, casein free autism diet has brought about dramatic changes in some autistic children.

Why the Autism Diet Works

The idea behind the autism diet is that it works for autistic children who have allergies to gluten and casein. This diet is centered on the theory that children with autism are more likely to have allergies to these proteins and that because they cannot digest gluten and casein, it forms substances that act like opiates in their bodies. This byproduct alters the autistic child's behavior, perceptions, and responses to environment.

If you're wondering exactly what gluten-free means and what casein is, you're not alone. Gluten is the protein found in wheat, oats, barley, bulgar, durum, kamut, spelt and rye. These proteins are also found in:

• Food starches
• Semolina
• Couscous
• Malt
• Some vinegars
• Soy sauce
• Flavorings
• Artificial colors
• Hydrolyzed vegetable proteins

Casein is the protein found in milk and milk products including:

• Cheese
• Butter
• Yogurt
• Ice cream
• Whey
• Some brands of margarine

Casein may also be found in the form of caseinate in some non-milk products like soy cheese and soy hot dogs.

The reason it is believed that this diet helps autistic children is that when you remove these proteins, the child's brain function is no longer impaired by the proteins. However, making this change may be challenging for parents because most of the children who have these allergies are actually drawn to foods containing gluten and casein.

Is Your Child Allergic?

If you are the parent of an autistic child who is allergic to gluten and casein, changing your child's diet can bring about dramatic changes within a few months. To learn whether or not your child is allergic to these proteins, ask your doctor to test your child's peptides. All he has to do is order a urinary peptide test. This test will make it clear if proteins are being digested properly or not.

Implementing Diet Changes

Dietary changes can be difficult to implement. Some doctors suggest removing one food at a time to gain a better understanding of which food or foods may be causing a problem. You might want to check with people who don't know about the changes you're making but are involved in your child's life. Check with them to see whether or not they see any improvements. Remember that changes may not be noticeable for anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months.

If you decide to remove one food at a time, dietary intervention advocates often suggest you start with milk because the body is able to clear casein from the system quickly. On the other hand, it can take up to six months for the body to rid itself of gluten. This is one of the reasons it can take time to see improvement in your child.

Resources

If you'd like more information about the potential benefits of the autism diet the following books and websites provide in-depth advice:

• The GFCF Diet
• The Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet
• Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder: A Mother's Story of Research & Recovery
• Special Diets for Special Kids
• Special Diets for Special Kids, Two
• Special Diets for Special People: Understanding and Implementing a Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diet to Aid in the Treatment of Autism and Related Developmental Disorders
• Enzymes for Autism and other Neurological Conditions

Check With Your Doctor

Whenever you make a dietary change it is a good idea to talk with your doctor. As with any change in diet, you'll want to be sure your child's diet is adequate and healthy and your doctor will be able to not only monitor your child's diet but to suggest nutritional supplements as needed