Special diet for autistic children? No research support says the experts.

Special diets for children with autism? Cut out all dairy? Cut out all wheat? According to a speaker at the Disability Conference at U.C. San Francisco March 11 & 12, there is no research support for any special diet limiting or eliminating certain foods.

Some autistic children have very limited food interests — many autistic children will only eat a few foods. So often I hear from a parent that their child will only eat white pasta and a few other foods. It makes sense to try to supplement a child’s diet if the child is very picky.

But eliminate certain foods for children with autism?

That there is very little good research on the food habits of small children was pointed out by the speaker. And there are some research projects in place that will give better information in the not too distant future. But that does not help the parent to decide today how to feed their autistic child.

For now, talk to your doctor. And work with a nutritionist if you do modify your child’s diet. And be careful. For example, limiting dairy products greatly cuts down on protein sources. Lack of protein can have long term effects on health as an adult.

There are lots of wacky things parents do. Well before the explosion in autism.

Here’s a personal experience: Thirty years ago a good friend of mine had a baby. My friend did not believe in giving cow’s milk to her daughter because, as she put it, “the molecules were too big…” So the child got no milk or dairy.

Instead of milk the child got only rice water. What happened? At age two the child’s hair was wispy white. Later as a young adult she had teeth and bone problems. Bone and teeth problems have persisted throughout her life. Are her problems related to an early lack of protein (no milk or milk products) as a infant and child? My guess is yes.

So, be careful when considering a special diet for a young, autistic child. To date, there is no research support for limiting or eliminationg certain kinds of foods.

written by Dr. Cameron Jackson DrCameronJackson@gmail.com
www.FreedomOK.net