Dietary & Biomedical

Gluten Free Casien Free Diet - GFCF: Founded by two mothers of autistic individuals, Karen Serrousi and Lisa Lewis, the GFCF Diet has met with success for a subset of autistic individuals thought to have serious allergies and/or impaired digestive tracts with regard to the intake of gluten and casien. The premise of the diet is that the individual has a malfunctioning digestive tract, known as leaky gut syndrome, that does not digest gluten and casien properly, creating the opiates gliadorphin and caseomorphin. These opiates are thought to contribute to brain abnormalities and the diet was originally based on the gluten free diet used for individuals affected by Celiac Disorder (individuals with severe allergy reactions to gluten). Specialized testing to measure digestion and/or presence of gliadorphin and caseomorphin can be obtained to aid in determining if GFCF Diet is an approach that would yield benefit to an autistic individual. There are those that believe that these tests are not accurate and that this diet should be a mainstay in an autistic individuals life, regardless of test scores. It should be noted that whatever the decision, it is generally accepted as a safe intervention, daily nutritional requirements can be met through this protocol. While considered by most medical professionals as having only anecdotal evidence to support its success and no scientific studies, parents report that many autistic individuals have displayed a decrease in undesirable behavior and health improvements. It is recommended that if pursuing this regimen that a professional familiar with this protocol be consulted.

Specific Carbohydrate Diet - SCD: This protocol is popular with autistic individuals suffering from colon disorders and again is centered on the premise of "leaky gut syndrome". The goal of this diet is to heal the intestinal tract and to rid it of bacterial and fungal overgrowth and has proved a very successful dietary intervention. It is recommended that if pursuing this regimen that a professional familiar with this protocol be consulted.

Vitamin & Supplement Therapy: B vitamin therapy is probably the most popular vitamin therapy, based in part studies conducted showing that almost half of autistic individuals participating in the therapy received benefit. B vitamins play an important role in the production of enzymes required by the brain. Benefits include decrease in behavioral problems, improved eye contact, better attention and improvements in learning. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) supplementation, rich in vitamins A and D, has also resulted in better eye contact and behavior. Increasing vitamin C has been shown in clinical trials to improve symptom severity and aids in brain function and improves symptoms of depression and confusion. DMG/TMG, B12 and B6 supplementation have been thought to increase verbal communication in approximately 40% of autistic individuals and aid in the methylation cycle in the liver. In pursuing the addition of vitamin and supplement therapy it is advised to consult a professional familiar with these protocols and assessing of nutritional status as it pertains to autistic individuals, as some vitamins are also toxic when given in increased amounts.

Chelation: Chelation therapy is generally used when heavy metal toxicity is suspected. Chelation is an approved application for lead poisoning, however, as not been approved as a treatment for ASD individuals. Chelation should be done under the supervision of a medical professional who has undergone DAN! Certification and/or such certification or experience with chelation therapy. Chelation is a medical procedure and, as with any and medical procudure, has risks associated with the procedure and should not be undertaken casually. ASD individuals benefiting from this procedure are generally those who have been overexposed to mercury via vaccines and are genetically unable, or predisposed, to excrete this toxin via normal bodily function. While there are ASD individuals who have recovered from ASD using this therapy, its success is varies from individual to individual and more often improves health and behaviors normally associated with ASD. Research in this regard is ongoing.

Medications: A wide variety of medications are available and frequently used in autistic individuals to address behaviors and symptoms. Serotonin re-uptake inhibitors have been effective in treating depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety that can sometimes be present in ASD. Anti-psychotic medications have been widely studied and used with ASD individuals. Stimultants have also been used to treat ASD individuals with reported effects of increased focus. It is strongly recommended that a professional familiar with the effects of these medications on ASD individuals be consulted, as behavioral side effects are often dose related and close monitoring is required. There are professionals that recommend lower doses of these medications, as there is some evidence to suggest that ASD individuals are more sensitive, perhaps due to the difference in brain function, and require lower than recommended dosages of these medications to be effective with fewer side effects.

Secretin: A hormone that produced in the small intestine and aids in digestion. Success is varied and several studies have found no statistical significant improvement in ASD individuals receiving secretin. It should be noted that many parents have reported improved sleep patterns, eye contacts and language skills. It is strongly recommended that a professional familiar with the effects secretin and ASD individuals be consulted.