Autism Therapy: diet

definition of diet: Diet is the use of food and drink to nourish and heal the body. Nutrients that are only obtained from the diet are called, essential nutrients.

Diet Overview

Published Oct 31, 2009, last updated Nov 30, 2009

Parents use many diets to treat autism. While very few of these diets have been rigorously tested in scientific studies, most physicians would agree that most children will be healthier if they are on a thoughtful, nutrient-rich diet.

Only you can say if any of these diets make sense to you and make sense within the context of your family. Ultimately, the only way to know if your child’s health will improve on a given diet is to try that diet with your child. In most cases, you will need to follow a diet for months to know the true effects. Nutritionists can help you implement diets and ensure that all of your child’s nutritional needs are being met.

Some of the more popular diets used to treat autism include:

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Treatment of Food Selectivity in a Young Child with Autism
Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, by Wood, BK, Wolery M., and Kaiser AP, published in 2009, summarized Mar 16, 2010

Therapeutic feeding intervention may increase the number and variety of foods eaten by a child with autism.

This case study describes feeding intervention with a five your child with autism who was on the gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diet. The treatment package focused on four new food items. The boy learned to eat GFCF pizza, GFCF waffle, apple, and french fries. He often said no when asked to try a new food. And at times, he left therapy sessions when hand-over-hand prompts were used.


Ketogenic Diets: An Update for Child Neurologists
Journal of Child Neurology, by Kossoff, EH, Zupec-Kania BA, and Rho JM, published in 2009, summarized Jan 1, 2010

A ketogenic diet that cuts down on carbohydrates may be helpful for children with autism and may help reduce seizures.

With a ketogenic diet, most of the daily nutrition comes from eating fat and protein. The Atkins diet is a type of ketogenic diet. Ketogenic diets have been reported to be helpful for children with epilepsy. While on the diet, some children have fewer seizures. Some children with autism also have seizures, so the diet may be helpful for children with autism as well. Neurologists are exploring whether a ketogenic diet may also be helpful for other autism symptoms. However, there were no published studies reported in the article about this diet and autism. There have been side-effects reported, and some can be long-lasting. Side effects include slower growth, digestive system problems, kidney stones, bone fractures, and other problems.


Shared Minds: Effects of a Mother’s Imitation of Her Child on the Mother-Child Interaction
Infant Mental Health Journal, by Sanefuji, W., Yamashita H., and Ohgami H., published in 2009, summarized Dec 25, 2009

Mothers who imitate their child with autism may help teach nonverbal social skills and feel more positive about their relationship with their children.

This case report describes a therapy approach where the mother imitated her 21-month-old child with autism. The mother and child were together for sessions with therapists for 60 minutes per month, and the mother was taught how to continue therapy at home. For the first two months, she spent 5 minutes every day playing with her child and responding to him. For the next two months, she imitated her child’s facial expressions and sounds during play. For the last two months, the mother stopped imitating and was responsive during play. The child’s joint attention skills improved more rapidly during the imitation phase than during the other phases of therapy. The mother also enjoyed being with her child more during the imitation phase.


Increasing Play and Decreasing the Challenging Behavior of Children with Autism during Recess with Activity Schedules and Task Correspondence Training
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorder, by Machalicek, W., K Shogren, R Lang, and and M Rispoli, MF O’Reilly JH Franco Sigafoos J., published in 2009, summarized Dec 23, 2009

Activity schedules may increase appropriate play during recess for children with autism.

Some children with autism may have problems during school recess. For example, they may have poor social skills, which makes it hard for them to join in play with other children, and they may have more problem behaviors. This study asked whether teachers might be able to help children with autism by providing some structure or guidance during recess. Three children (6-12 years old) were given activity schedules that used photos of activity choices during recess. Matching photos were also placed on the play equipment as a label. During recess, the boys picked three activities using the photos, and then the teachers would use guidance to help them follow their plan. The guidance from teachers helped all 3 boys stay engaged in play activities and they had fewer problem behaviors during recess.


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It’s Not Too Early to Begin Holiday Preparations for Your Child on the Autism Spectrum

Nov 16, 2011

This is a great proactive article from Community Connections Inc. about preparing your child with autism for the wackiness that may surround the holidays. These suggestions include: giving your child a “bear-hug” to help with over-stimulation; participating in sensory building activities like baking or making music; making sure your child gets enough sleep, and feeding your kid a healthy diet. Community Connections Inc. sponsors a group called San Juan Kids, which is available to give autism screenings and evaluations.

Read original article: Holiday Season can be Overstimulating, Especially for Kids


Can Your Young Adult with Autism Go To College?

Aug 11, 2011

This article tackles the issue of a young adult with autism attending college. Dr. Roel and Katrina Laygo’s son was diagnosed with autism just before he turned three. With a total of five kids, the Laygo’s did all they could to help Nathan, but they felt that speech and occupational therapies weren’t enough. Nathan is now involved in ABA, therapeutic horseback riding, music, social skills, and on a gluten-free/casein-free diet. Knowing how much this has cost them, the Laygo’s have established Nathan’s Something Special Scholarship Fund, which awards a scholarship each year to a child with autism or cerebral palsy to attend a year of college or vocational school. Katrina Laygo has also started a lifestyle publication, Something Special Magazine to help other parents of kids with special needs.

Read original article: How to Help Children with Autism Attend College


WeeZee is a Sensory Playground for Children with Autism

Jul 20, 2011

Access Nursing has created WeeZee to be a combination occupational therapy and sensory playground for kids with autism and other delays. Louise Weadock, founder of Access Nursing, figured out that most of the time spent in therapy for her daughter on the spectrum was in desensitizing her. Weadock believes this time should be spent in play, not in a therapy office. She explains, “Like a fitness routine outlined by a trainer, the assessment would lead to a particular ‘sensory diet’ or ‘sensory regime’. The kids would go to WeeZee to work on cognitive development, social relationships, and physical endurance." To get WeeZee off the ground, Weadock has a handful of high school interns who use their memories of play to help mold the space. WeeZee will include areas designed to appeal to each of the senses, as well as a Zen Den for parents.

Read original article: Pleasantville Organization Develops Playful Solution for Autistic Kids


Beyond a Gluten-Free Diet for Children with Autism

May 11, 2011

Jennifer Cerbasi, a special education teacher, works with parents of children with autism to improve their emotional, academic, and physical health. She suggests in the article that it may not be enough just to reduce gluten in a child’s diet, but that other items such as sugar need to be considered. Parents are finding that eliminating food dyes, sugar, and artificial flavors may help their child’s behavior. Cerbasi explains that it can be hard to change the family diet because in many cases, children are picky eaters, and food may often be used as a reward in ABA therapy.

Read original article: Looking Beyond a Gluten-Free Diet


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Responding to gluten-free diet

Nov 14, 2011 by Anonymous

Great article! Cooking gluten-free and dairy free can be bare! Check out the recipe box at www.progressivenectar.com—lots of free stoff and great inforamtion!


Responding to gluten-free diet

Aug 23, 2011 by Anonymous

As a nutritionist specializing in the GFCF diet I've seen great improvement with autistic children who went on this protocol.

Sandi Star, CCN, CCMH

Karmic Health

www.karmic-health.com


Using Temple Grandin as an example?

Feb 22, 2011 by Anonymous

I'm not sure why this doctor is using Temple Grandin as an example of a person who excels without the GFCF diet.  Temple IS on the GFCF diet.  She put herself on it and finds that it has really helped her.  She speaks about it in her books and in her interviews.

I also object to the oft repeated idea that being on a special diet will make it difficult to meet nutritional requirements.  This is the statement of someone who knows very little about nutrition (which is usually the case with Pediatricians) because it is very easy to meet a child's nutritional requirements on the GFCF diet.  There are lots of whole grains still available to them and dairy is highly over-rated.  None of us "need" dairy to get calcium.  It's easy to supplement and supplementation provides a form that is much easier to absorb.  


Physician Cautions Against Restrictive Diets for Autism Unless Necessary

Feb 17, 2011 by Anonymous

This is in response to Dr. Jay L. Hoecker, an emeritus consultant in Mayo Clinic’s Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, suggests that parents of children with autism should be careful when starting their child on a new diet.

What terrible advice.  It is not hard to do a Gluten Free Casein Free Diet and in fact is healthier than most diets people have their children on. 

It is meat, vegetables, fruits, and avoiding wheat based flours, but this doesn't mean they don't eat "grains" .  It is about cooking from scratch.  It means no preservatives, or colored dyes.

Calcium and Vitamin D can be achieved from Almond Milk or Rice Milk.

The added comment that "Temple Grandin's Mother didn't put her on this diet is ridiculous.  I know first hand that when my daughter has "gluten" she regresses in her behaviors, her ability to concentrate and her ability to talk.

It sunds like Dr. Jay is just another doctor that would rather pump kids with drugs that go the natural healing route.  Simply appalling!


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    • Synonyms for diet include: autism diet, autistic diet, diet therapy, diets, essential nutrients, nutrients
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