There is not enough evidence to recommend the gluten and casein-free diet for all autistic people but some do report feeling better when following it. A gluten and casein free diet involves avoiding all foodstuffs which contain gluten and casein. Following a gluten and casein free diet is not without risk.
Eliminating gluten and casein may help to change symptoms and behaviors of autism. Some parents have started their child with autism on a version of the GF/CF diet for a different reason, and later noticed improvement in behavior, social skills, and learning.
Children with autism, according to the theory, process peptides and proteins in foods containing gluten and casein differently than other people do. Hypothetically, this difference in processing may exacerbate autistic symptoms. Some believe that the brain treats these proteins like false opiate-like chemicals.
Another theory behind the benefits of a gluten-free casein-free diet for autism is that these proteins can cause inflammation and damage to the intestinal tract. The inflammation, in turn, may cause nutrient absorption issues, as well as intestinal hyperpermeability or 'leaky gut'.
If you or a loved one has ASD, paying close attention to the foods being consumed is particularly important. For our patients with autism, we often recommend an elimination diet—eliminating gluten, dairy, sugar, corn, soy, and other categories of potentially allergenic foods for one month.
Eat oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, at least twice a week, and seeds, such as flaxseeds (also called linseeds) and chia seeds, on most days. Furthermore, supplement omega 3 through fish oil or a vegan alternative. Look for a supplement that contains both EPA and DHA.
Some more recommended food items that help autism symptoms include: Prebiotic-rich foods (apples, asparagus, leeks, garlic, onions, bananas, and chicory root)
Good Foods for Autism
A variety of fresh fruits or frozen fruits and vegetables. Whole grains like oats, brown rice, and quinoa. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids including nuts, seeds, and fish.
Casein is the main protein in dairy products such as cow's milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream. Some research has shown that this diet may improve some symptoms of autism like hyperactivity and communication, but it has not shown to improve digestive symptoms.
Every autistic person is different, but sensory differences, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties are common triggers.
Quinoa, rice, oats, eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, and squash are just a few of the veggies that are on the autism food list. Strawberries, pineapple, and grapes are good fruit suggestions. Following a low FODMAPS diet has been shown to help patients manage their symptoms better than other types of diets do.
Tapioca flour or tapioca starch. Teff flour. Yucca (cassava flour)
Dairy (casein)
Children with autism (ASD) are much more likely to have a food intolerance to dairy than their peers. This mild allergy could explain why many parents have reported positive changes to their child's autism symptoms -including improved behavior - after eliminating dairy. Your child actually feels better.
Mayes said that many children with autism eat a narrow diet consisting primarily of grain products, like pasta and bread, and chicken nuggets. She said that because children with autism have sensory hypersensitivities and dislike change, they may not want to try new foods and will be sensitive to certain textures.
While some studies suggest that too much screen time can negatively impact the development of young children's language and social skills, watching television can offer valuable tools and lessons and be very beneficial for kids with ASD.
Chicken Therapy
People have explained how dogs, cats, dolphins, alpacas, and fish-filled aquariums have positively impacted their communication, social and independent living skills. Keeping chickens and a chicken coop are now also being praised as therapeutic for people on the autism spectrum.
The feeding concern most commonly observed in children with autism is food selectivity, or eating a limited variety of foods. This most often involves preference for starches and snack foods and more frequent rejection of fruits and vegetables.
fruits such as apples, avocados, blueberries, kiwi fruit, grapes, plums, strawberries, vegetables such as cauliflower, cucumber, mushrooms, radish, eggplant, spinach, tomato, broccoli. nuts such as peanuts, pistachios, almonds.
Kiwi has proved to be efficient for children with autism to learn new things. It also showed that 92 percent of the children had improved their social skills after using Kiwi.
Since the early 2000s, camel milk has become increasingly popular as a therapy for autism.
Sensory objects and toys are perfect for soothing the early stages of a meltdown. They can help decrease sensory overload (even if that seems counterintuitive) and provide a helpful distraction for the person with autism. There are plenty of sensory toys on the market if you want something convenient.
The most common developmental therapy for people with ASD is Speech and Language Therapy. Speech and Language Therapy helps to improve the person's understanding and use of speech and language.
At the level of disrupted neurocircuitry, disruption of four social brain regions is hypothesized to largely drive ASD symptomatology, and these social brain regions are the amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), temporoparietal cortex (TPC), and insula.