Diet for Autistic Children

Positive connections have been reported between a diet for autistic children and behavior changes. Is this a cure for autism? Not necessarily, but positive results have been indicated in a number of cases.

The most significant change in a diet for autistic children revolves around the elimination of foods containing gluten and casein. Gluten and casein are proteins. Gluten is typically found in barley, rye, wheat, and many oat products, while casein is often found in dairy foods.

Why are these foods a problem for autistic children? Children with autism often have a problem digesting any food which contains these proteins. In essence, these undigested products seep into the gut and essentially drug an autistic child's brain because the body is unable to breakdown these proteins. The connection between foods and autism certainly isn't new, but in the past, many parents felt isolated in their belief that a particular diet could have repercussions on the symptoms of autism. Today, many clinicians and researchers have jumped on the bandwagon, recognizing that there does seem to be a particular and often significant link between the two.

Will a gluten and casein free diet for autistic children work for your child? Only time will tell, and if you are going to try this diet, you must give it time. In many cases, the initial results may be more negative than positive. You may notice an increase in irritability and even a regression in some symptoms. However, after your child's body has become acclimated to the lack of gluten and casein, you may begin to notice a marked improvement in his behavior, including better eye contact and social skills.

In many cases, parents are hesitant to restrict their child's diet because in doing so, they are afraid their child will not eat. A diet filled with milk, cheese, breads and pastas are essentially the staples of a many children's diets. Not only will a parent have to cajole a child to give these up, but he or she will also have to find nutritious foods that the child will eat. For some, this fight may be more than they want to battle, but again, the benefits can make the struggle worthwhile.

For many children, the love and craving of breads, pastas, and dairy products is actually an addiction, and as with any addiction that someone is trying to break, there will be a withdrawal period. While you may be concerned that your child will starve himself by refusing to eat any other type of food, you may be surprised to find that he begins to try new things after the withdrawal period is over.

Removing dairy products is often looked at as a difficult area to conquer, while others have a difficult time replacing pasta and breads with foods that don't contain gluten. Keep in mind that dairy doesn't just involve milk and cheese, and other common dairy products include butter, sour cream, cream cheese, some sauces etc. If you are serious about changing your child's diet, you should examine the labels of every product before giving it to your child. For some children, gluten may be far more hazardous than casein and vice versa, but you'll never know unless you give it a try.

Once you've made up your mind to introduce your child to a diet for autistic children, what should you do?

• Consult your physician-Obviously, you'll need to talk this over with your child's pediatrician, but if you aren't satisfied with his answer or his support, it might be time to seek out a second opinion.
• Give it time-According to the Autism Network for Dietary Intervention, you should give this diet a try for a minimum of three months.
• Individual responses-You should also keep in mind that each child is different and may react differently or not at all.

For more information, check out the following:

• The Official GFCF Website offers a comprehensive list of suggested gluten and casein free foods. Before you purchase the foods that are suggested on this site, however, do your own research. While the food suggestions may have been gluten/casein free at the time they were posted, manufacturers may have changed the ingredients. You should always read the labels and check the ingredients before providing these foods to your child.
• The Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet is described as the "best kid-friendly recipes and guide to the gluten-free milk-free diet for ADHD and autism." This easy-to-read book not only provides gluten-free milk-free substitutes and recipes, but also offers some great suggestions for dealing with finicky eaters.

• Preschool Activities for Autistic Children
• Possible Causes of Autism
• Tips for Raising Kids with Autism
• What Is Your Autism Empathy Rating?

• Lesson Plans for Autistic Children
• Adult Autism Symptoms
• Social Skills Activities for Kids with Autism
• Speech Therapy Ideas for Autistic Children
• Famous Autistic People

• Homeschooling an Autistic Child
• Autistic Toddlers
• GFCF Diet for Autism
• How to Teach Autistic Children
• Activities for Autistic Children