Autism (Also called Autistic Spectrum Disorder)

What it is: A wide spectrum developmental disorder that affects the way the brain functions. It is usually identified during early childhood and is characterized by problems with communication skills and social interactions. Autism actually falls into a category of neurological disorders called Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). As described in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) there are five PDD:

• Autistic disorder
• Asperger's Disorder
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
• Rett's Disorder
• PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

The nutrition connection: Many children with autism suffer from food allergies, which can affect behavior. One of the traits of autism is an insistence on sameness, even in food choices. If the child is frequently ingesting a food they are allergic to, behavior problems may increase in intensity or frequency. Consistently eating foods one is sensitive to may also result in chronic digestive problems that could affect behavior.

It has been shown many children with autism have difficulty digesting the proteins in gluten and casein. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, and barley; casein is in dairy products. In many cases elimination diets have helped children with ASD with digestive problems. Varying the diet has also helped some children adapt to the idea of change.

Elimination diets should never be attempted without professional help. Talk to a registered dietitian to make sure you are not endangering a child's health by eliminating nutrients other than gluten and casein.

ASD can be treated with diet, behavior modification, and medication. Most often parents and caregivers use a combination of methods to help the child. For this reason, it has been difficult to prove the effectiveness of any one mode of treatment.

For more help with ASD see www.autism-society.org