Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Gluten-Free Diet and Children with Autism

PWSMom — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:56:05 +0000

Body:

What is it?

A gluten-free diet is an eating plan in which gluten (a protein found in some grains) is eliminated from the diet. Foods and drinks containing wheat, barley, rye, or anything made from these grains are avoided. A gluten-free diet is often used for children with autism in combination with a casein-free diet. The casein-free diet calls for the elimination of milk protein (casein). Both diets are called elimination diets because a particular type of food is eliminated from the child’s meals and snacks ⁽¹⁾.

Proponents of the gluten-free diet say that many children with autism have gastrointestinal difficulties that make it hard for them to digest certain grains properly. There are different possibilities for ways in which this could affect children with autism. The most studied theory is that eating gluten leads to high levels of protein by-products, called gluteomorphines, in some children with autism. These by-products may then affect behavior like a drug would. Specifically, in these children, gluteomorphines could reduce their desire for social interaction, block pain messages, and increase confusion. If gluten is taken out of the diet, the idea is that this will reduce the level of gluteomorphines, and behavior will improve as a result ^(2-4).

What's it like?

Parents who choose a gluten-free diet for their child must become aware of the ingredients of everything in their grocery cart. Products containing wheat, barley, or rye in any form should not be purchased. Foods containing modified food starch also contain gluten, but modified corn starch does not. Maintaining a gluten-free diet can be hard to do at first because gluten is present in many prepared foods. However, parents can take a gluten-free cooking class or read a gluten-free cookbook (see Resources) to learn how to cook without gluten and still provide enough nutrition for the child (see Is it harmful?).

What is the theory behind it?

Gluten is broken down in the intestines into several by-products, including one called gluteomorphine. These by-products are much more common in the urine of children with autism than in children without autism. Some scientists have concluded that they are leaking from the intestines into the blood of these children ^{(2, 5)}. Many research studies report that children with autism often have gastrointestinal problems, including intestinal leakage ⁽⁵⁾. The argument is that, if gluteomorphine is being absorbed into the general circulation in children with autism, then it could affect behavior ^(2-5).

In support of this theory, there is evidence that blocking at least some of the action of gluteomorphine improves the behavior of children with autism ⁽⁶⁾. Moreover, recent evidence of a genetic mutation common among children with autism has been traced to a gene involved in gastrointestinal function ⁽⁷⁾.

Does it work?

The effectiveness of elimination diets in improving the behavior of children with autism has only recently been scientifically researched ⁽⁸⁾. This research has almost always examined diets that are both casein- and gluten-free.

One well-controlled study focused on children with autism who had abnormally high protein by-products in their urine, and therefore were more likely to be sensitive to casein and gluten (see What is the theory behind it?). One group of these children was fed a strict casein- and gluten-free diet for 12 months. This group had significantly fewer autistic symptoms than the remaining children, who were not fed this diet ⁽⁹⁾.

Another well-controlled study of casein- and gluten-free diets focused on children with autism regardless of the level of protein by-products in their urine ⁽¹⁰⁾. Overall, the study found no significant differences in behavior between children on the elimination diet and children on regular diets, although individual parents reported behavioral improvements ⁽¹⁰⁾. A third well-controlled study reported no significant improvements in speech for 13 children who followed a gluten-free casein-free diet for 6 weeks ⁽¹¹⁾. There were limitations in these studies, including relatively short time periods on the diet and/or small samples sizes.

Regardless, in both cases, the tested diets were casein- and gluten-free, so it is not clear whether it was the elimination of casein, gluten, or both that resulted in any improvements. A third study that did examine the effect of a gluten-free diet on the behavior of children with autism did not compare children on the elimination diet with children not on the diet ⁽¹²⁾. Therefore, even though there were improvements seen in the behavior of children on the diet, these may also have occurred over the 5 months of the study without the elimination diet

The current thinking is that there is at least some evidence showing that a gluten-free diet, when combined with a casein-free diet, can help improve the behavior of some children with autism. Although the casein-free diet combined with a gluten-free diet is popular, there is little evidence to support or refute this intervention and reviewers have determined that meaningful conclusions cannot be drawn from the existing literature ^{(3, 4)}.

Is it harmful?

The major health concern for a child on a gluten-free diet is whether the child receives adequate nutrition. A recent report showed that the protein and nutrient intakes of children with autism on casein- and gluten-free diets were not different from those of children with autism on standard diets, but there was a trend towards lower calcium and copper intake in children on elimination diets ⁽¹³⁾. As a result, some researchers suggest that all children on elimination diets should be under the care of a nutritionist or physician ⁽¹⁾.

Cost

A gluten-free diet can be expensive and difficult to follow, but as these diets become more common, the transition to the new diet becomes easier. Gluten-free versions of many favorite foods such as pasta, bread, and cookies are becoming more readily available in mainstream stores. Moreover, changes in the diet to replace breads, pastas, and other processed foods with vegetables, protein, and other whole foods are big steps toward a healthy, gluten-free diet.

Restaurants offering exclusively gluten-free meals are likely to be on the pricey side and are not common. Most restaurants will have gluten-free options on their menu (i.e. salads without croutons, fish or meat with vegetables served without bread or breading, etc.), although these choices may be limited. You may need to notify your server that you need gluten-free food choices, and they can help you choose between the available options or suggest changes to menu items.

Online sources for gluten-free cooking ingredients are also available, and some of these may be priced more affordably (see Resources ). Also, bulk or co-op buying may ease the cost of gluten-free items.

Resources

Healing Thresholds has partnered with The Gluten-Free Mall. They sell gluten-free prepackaged foods that may be convenient for some families.

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network provides many resources to help children live with a gluten-free diet: http://www.foodallergy.org/.

Several books that might be helpful in understanding the gluten-free diet approach are:

Diet Intervention and Autism: Implementing the Gluten Free and Casein Free Diet for Autistic Children and Adults : A Practical Guide for Parents by Marilyn Le Breton and Rosemary Kessick. 2001. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

How to Eat Well Again on a Wheat, Gluten and Dairy Free Diet by F. Crosthwaite. 2006. Merton Books.

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 by Lisa S Lewis 2005. Future Horizons.

The Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet by P. Compart and D. Laake. 2006. Fair Winds Press.

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References

Responding to gluten-free diet

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:25:28 +0000

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

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:26:38 +0000

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

Can Your Young Adult with Autism Go To College?

scottie — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:00:16 +0000

Teaser:

This article tackles the issue of a young adult with autism attending college.

Body:

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

Church Reaches Out to Families with Autism

scottie — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:14:59 +0000

Teaser:

Trinity Episcopal Church in Virginia started All God’s Children as a worship service geared to children with autism and other developmental delays.

Body:

Trinity Episcopal Church in Virginia started All God’s Children as a worship service geared to children with autism and other developmental delays. This monthly Saturday evening service builds on currently available church programs. The basics of All God's Children are built on special education programs that incorporate items for kids to touch and see. The service also focuses on picture boards to help teach scripture and follow along with the service. Three of the songs that the congregation sings have picture boards to accompany them. The service in addition to singing, contains a Bible reading and short sermon. There is an optional Communion with gluten-free wafers. Families of the children are relieved to be able to attend service as a family without having to leave if the child acts out.

Read original article: Acceptance, Comfort at Heart of Services

Beyond a Gluten-Free Diet for Children with Autism

scottie — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:38:38 +0000

Teaser:

Jennifer Cerbasi, a special education teacher, works with parents of children with autism to improve their emotional, academic, and physical health.

Body:

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

Sensory Saturday Films Just for Kids with Autism

scottie — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:57:40 +0000

Teaser:

Two years ago, AMC theatres and Autism Society of America began hosting special viewings of movies just for kids with autism – “Sensory Friendly Films.”

Body:

Two years ago, AMC theatres and Autism Society of America began hosting special viewings of movies just for kids with autism – “Sensory Friendly Films.” Because AMC does not have theatres in Oregon, the Autism Society there went on a search for small local theatres to host films for kids. Bijou Arts Cinemas in Eugene, Oregon stepped up to host sensory-friendly films on Saturdays. Edward Schiessl, co-owner of the Bijou, shows films that will also appeal to University of Oregon audiences. He explains, “It's meant a steady stream of animated and adventure-themed classics from the 1980s and '90s, he says, well-attended by both audiences.” Bijou’s next venture will be to update the theatre food offerings to include gluten-free and casein-free items for children with dietary constraints.

Read original article: Sensory Saturdays: Films Serve a Sensory-Sensitive Clientele

Physician Cautions Against Restrictive Diets for Autism Unless Necessary

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:05:06 +0000

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!

Physician Cautions Against Restrictive Diets for Autism Unless Necessary

scottie — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:16:10 +0000

Teaser:

Dr. Jay L. Hoecker suggests that parents of children with autism should be careful when starting their child on a new diet.

Body:

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. He explains that restrictive diets, such as the gluten-free, casein-free diet may be harmful if basic nutritional needs are not met. He suggests that before putting your child on a special diet, you should seek the expertise of a nutritionist or doctor. Hoecker reminds parents, for example, that Temple Grandin’s mother did not have her on a GFCF diet, “neither did the majority of parents of the greatest known dults with autism who are now fully functional in our society.” He believes that early intervention is probably the best starting point to helping kids with autism.

Read original article: Mayo Clinic Weighs in on Restrictive Diets for Autism

Autism: Tips to Keep Some Fun in Your Child's Life

scottie — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:45:46 +0000

Teaser:

Susan Walton, whose son has autism, was determined to keep fun in the family checklist of things to do.

Body:

Susan Walton, whose son has autism, was determined to keep fun in the family checklist of things to do. She recently completed a book, Coloring Outside Autism’s Lines: 50+ Activities, Adventures and Celebrations for Families of Children with Autism. She explains that many families get caught up with therapy, doctor’s appointments, nutrition, and caregiving and forget that everyone needs a break to have fun as well. One of her suggestions is to call ahead to family destinations to see if they have special passes or areas for your children with special needs. She suggests contacting local pools, gyms, and other businesses about holding a special needs event. She also provides a national chain list of gluten-free and casein-free restaurants.

Read original article: Fun Needs to be on the Checklist for a Child with Autism