Autism is all over the news these days, with significantly more children being diagnosed with this condition today than in recent generations. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that affects the brain, develops within a child’s first few years of life and affects verbal, social, emotional, physical and intellectual functioning. The causes of autism are not fully understood, and its severity and responsiveness to various treatments vary widely from child to child. Some autism experts believe a healthy diet might help children with autism function more successfully.
Step 1
Consult your child’s physician or a registered dietitian with autism experience first. According toNorthwesternUniversity’s Medill Reports, children with autism often suffer from digestive problems in addition to their neurological and behavioral symptoms, so it’s important to discuss any possible dietary changes with the medical team that treats your child’s autism, to ensure proper nutrition, caloric intake and a selection of foods that minimize gastric distress.
Step 2Emphasize whole, unprocessed, ideally organic foods. Certified nutrition consultant Julie Matthews, inNorthwesternUniversity’s Medill Reports, says building an autistic child’s diet around such healthy foods targets possible nutritional deficiencies that can arise due to autism’s effects on the digestive system. Avoid packaged, processed foods that provide minimal nutrition for their calorie content.
Step 3
Consider one of the special diets sometimes used for the treatment of autism. Some children with autism seem to benefit from diets free of gluten, a component in most grains, or casein, a substance found in dairy products. MayoClinic.com also notes that diets free of common food allergens and yeast might be helpful.
Step 4
Consider adding particular supplements to your child’s diet. With your physician’s OK, you might try probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, folic acid, or vitamin A, C or B6 supplements, all of which have been tried by families with autistic children. Whether or not they decrease autism symptoms, such nutrients are unlikely to be harmful if taken appropriately, and might provide necessary added nutrition to your child’s diet.
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