Diets

1. Do restrictive diets like GF/CF and SCD really help autistic children? Where can I get proof and more information?

There is convincing empirical evidence that special diets help autistic individuals. Please see:

Gluten-free, casein-free diet:
gfcfdiet.com
www.gluten-free.org
Talk About Curing Autism Now
Autism Network for Dietary Intervention

Science Behind GF/CF - Info for Caregivers - "Stop giving my kid forbidden stuff!"

Specific Carbohydrate Diet:
Pecan Bread
www.scdiet.org
www.SCDrecipe.com
Breaking the Vicious Cycle
digestivewellness.com

Feingold Diet

Low Oxalate Diet

Body Ecology Diet

2. My child doesn't have digestive issues or any of the symptoms other parents describe? Is it still worth pursuing biomedical intervention?

Yes. Many asymptomatic children have responded behaviorally to dietary intervention.

3. I can't afford the expensive doctor visits that don't accept my insurance. What can I do myself for my child?

You can start diets and some supplements without a clinician, however, there is no one "protocol" for successfully treating autistic children, so educating yourself is key. Free lectures and tutorials from the latest evidence-based medical approach Conferences are available online

Find a mentor through Talk About Curing Autism - Talk about Curing Autism's Parent Mentor Program

4. How has evidence-based medical approach changed over the last five years? We are interested in trying again now that our child is older– should we?

Clinicians and their patients have collectively learned a tremendous amount about combating autism over the last five years – individualized treatments using new diets, medications and therapies are emerging every year. If your child did not respond to the treatments that were available years ago as a 4-year-old, that does not mean he or she will not respond today – the combination of maturing physical development and new strategies may present new possibilities. New approaches are always on the horizon.

5. How can I convince my spouse and family to support dietary and medical interventions for ASD?

Several clinicians and parents have published brief, written accounts of their children's dramatic improvement and even recoveries and posted them for free online. Printing and sharing their stories may help your family better understand your efforts.

      You can also download and burn a DVD from a .

6. Our teachers are complaining about our child's diet – what can I do to convince them it's necessary?

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) describes issues with enforcing the diet at school.

A template for writing a letter to your school district appears on pages 92-93 of Special Diets for Special Kids by Lisa Lewis, PhD. The book also provides lists of foods most autistic children on restricted diets can and cannot have. Providing a brand-specific food list for your teacher can be a big help.

Get it in the IEP. Get a letter from the doctor. Infractions happen. Be ready with enzymes and charcoal. Use it as an opp to educate.

For more information, see Educators and Diets.

Science Behind GF/CF - Info for Caregivers - "Stop giving my kid forbidden stuff!"

7. What are enzymes for? If we do those, can we skip the diet?

Most clinicians agree that digestive enzymes are most effectively used in conjunction with diets. Enzymes are taken just before food is eaten and help break down the proteins prior to entering the digestive tract. ARI does not advocate using enzymes as a replacement for dietary intervention.

8. Does my child have to stay on a very strict diet FOREVER?

Maybe. Some children are able to "come off" the diet after a length of time. Many are not. Your child's reaction will not be predictable. Parents have described reintroducing foods slowly, one at a time, to determine whether or not their child was ready to expand the diet.

You can consult with a clinician for more advice about making dietary changes. It is a very individual choice you may eventually make with your child.