The Effects of Nutrition and Diet on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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The Effects of Nutrition and Diet on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Taylor Nix
Samford University
17 November 2014

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The Effects of Nutrition and Diet on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Many Americans today view diets through the lens of gaining muscle tone and definition,

losing body fat, dropping sizes in clothes, and, if truth be told, solely for the reason of looking
better overall. However, many do not consider the emotional and psychological effects that diets
can have on ones attitude and behavior, specifically focusing on the correlation between Autism
Spectrum Disorder and a childs diet. A considerable amount of discussion has been done in
regards to whether or not a childs diet affects his or her emotions and behavior. Research has
proven, however, that the emotions and behavioral patterns of a child on the autism spectrum can
be affected, and almost controlled, by the food he or she is consuming.
Autism Spectrum Disorder includes a broad range of developmental disabilities that can
cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges (CDC 2014). Although
autism spectrum disorder is more likely to be present in males than in females, ASD can be
present in any human being regardless of gender, age, or race. Scientists are aware that one of the
causes of autism stems from an abnormally developing brain (Funk and Wagnalls, 2014). This
abnormal development affects many different components of development, but one of the most
effected developmental areas is language development. Funk and Wagnalls (2014) state that the
language development of a child with ASD can include a lag in development of spoken
language or even a failure to develop speech. Delayed speech development can also constitute
to an autistic childs difficulty with social skills, such as carrying on a conversation with peers or
even adults.
Research has shown that over the past few years, one in every sixty-eight children are on
the autism spectrum. Autism can affect a childs ability to effectively communicate with others,
their behavior in both public and private settings, and it can affect a childs learning capacity,

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which can range from extremely intellectual to severely delayed. Children with autism tend to
have very limited interests, often focusing on one specific topic, concept, or skill and becoming
an expert in that area. They also are often unaware of the needs or feelings of others, fail to
develop appropriate (for his or her age) relationships with peers, avoid sharing interests or
achievements with others, or fail to respond to others gaze, expression or gestures (Funk and
Wagnalls, 2014). The Center for Disease Control (2014) reports that children with autism
spectrum disorder might have unpredictable reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel,
or sound. Because of the unpredictable reactions to different textures, consistent and adequate
nutrition is hard to maintain with an autistic child because a caregiver can never predict the way
that a child will react to a certain food.
Reactions to textures and tastes of foods are not the only things to take into consideration
when feeding a child with autism. Caretakers must take into consideration how the childs body
will react to food, instead of just taking into consideration the childs preferences. Cristen Harris
and Bethany Card (2012), nutritionists from Bastyr University, report that children with autism
suffer from gastrointestinal issues, such as esophageal reflux, abdominal pain, diarrhea,
constipation, and bloating. These gastrointestinal issues are part of what causes the extreme
behaviors that children with ASD can exhibit. Thus, nutritionists have been hard at work
researching and investigating what ingredients in food can cause the gastrointestinal issues in
children.
One of the main ingredients that has been found to have a significant effect on children
with ASD is a protein known as casein. Casein is a protein found in milk and is thus associated
with lactose intolerance. Casein allergies mainly appear in young children, who are able to

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outgrow their allergies over time. Symptoms often associated with casein allergies are bloating,
pain, gas, diarrhea, or gastroesophageal reflux (WebMD). Because these symptoms correlate
directly with the gastrointestinal issues from which autistic children suffer, casein has been of
specific interest for researchers. Limiting a childs casein intake would mean limiting their dairy
intake, withholding foods such as milk, cheese, and ice-cream. Research has shown that children
with ASD benefit greatly from a diet with limited to no amounts of casein (Harris and Card,
2012). The results from Harris and Cards study showed that both the gastrointestinal and
behavioral issues showed improvement because of a casein free diet.
Often, a casein free diet is paired with a gluten free diet. Gluten is a protein that acts as a
glue that helps food keep its shape and is commonly found in grains, such as wheat, rye, and
barley (Celiac Disease Foundation). Similar to casein intolerances, people with gluten
intolerances suffer from a range of gastrointestinal issues. Harris and Card also gathered
information on the effect of gluten on children with ASD. Their results for gluten mirrored their
results for casein, both showing significant improvement in both gastrointestinal and behavioral
issues in children with autism. Thus, they found that pairing gluten and casein and encouraging a
gluten-free, casein-free diet would improve behavior significantly (Harris and Card, 2012).
However, that being said, there is still much research needed in this area in order for
doctors, nutritionists, and parents alike to be able to confidently put a child with ASD on a
casein-free, gluten-free diet. Herndon, DiGuiseppi, Johnson, Leiferman, and Reynolds state that
pediatricians and parents of children with ASDs, especially children with dietary restrictions,
need to be aware of the potential for nutritional deficiencies (2009). Taking gluten and casein
out of a childs diet without replacing it with a form of supplement can leave a child with an

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insufficient amount of those proteins in their bodies. These proteins, although aggravating to
some, provide the human bodies with the energy it needs to function. Although many studies
have shown a positive reaction to a casein-free, gluten-free diet for autistic children, there are
many more studies needed in order for this theory to become a truthful reality.
According to Funk and Wagnalls (2014), a cure for autism has yet to be found. Early
intervention and behavioral therapy are necessary if improvement is expected. Many times, the
behavior an autistic child exhibits is out of his or her control. However, many nutritionists are on
the verge of discovering a way for children with ASD to have slight control over the way in
which they conduct themselves. They believe that altering a childs diet, specifically excluding
foods containing casein and gluten, might be the way to do this. When a child is allergic to
casein or gluten, they suffer from gastrointestinal issues that are uncomfortable and painful. The
uneasiness and pain caused by the gastrointestinal issues is part of what contributes to the
unpredictable, extreme behavior that children with ASD often exhibit. Nutritionists and
researchers feel that children would benefit from a diet that excludes casein and gluten, which
cause many gastrointestinal issues in those who have casein or gluten intolerances.

The Effects of Nutrition and Diet on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
References
Autism. (2014). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 1p. 1.
Celiac Disease Foundation -. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2014, from http://celiac.org/
Harris, C., & Card, B. (2012). A pilot study to evaluate nutritional influences on gastrointestinal
symptoms and behavior patterns in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Complementary Therapies In Medicine, 20(6), 437-440. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2012.08.004
Herndon, A., DiGuiseppi, C., Johnson, S., Leiferman, J., & Reynolds, A. (2009). Does
Nutritional Intake Differ Between Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and
Children with Typical Development?. Journal Of Autism & Developmental Disorders,
39(2), 212-222. doi:10.1007/s10803-008-0606-2
N.A. What Is Casein? Foods With Casein, Casein Allergies, and More. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 23, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/casein-allergyoverview!

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