| Despite years of research, the causes of autism are | | | | shown conclusively how - or if - it works. However, |
| still not completely understood. Conventional | | | | there is no reason not to try it with your child, |
| treatments of autism also have uncertain results, and | | | | because there are plenty of good food substitutes |
| many parents are looking for other methods of | | | | for the the foods you would have to eliminate from |
| treating their autistic children. One recent trend is to | | | | the child's diet. A gluten and casein-free diet is still a |
| turn to a gluten/casein free diet. | | | | healthy and nutritious diet for your child. One |
| Actress Jenny McCarthy talks openly about her son, | | | | recommendation though, is that you not make a |
| Evan and his diagnosis with autism in her book, | | | | sudden switch, especially in younger children, because |
| Louder Than Words. In her search for help for her | | | | it can cause withdrawal and a worsening of autism |
| son, Jenny has switched Evan to a gluten free diet, | | | | symptoms. It is better to slowly switch the child |
| which - along with medication, therapy and | | | | from restricted foods and introduce new foods over |
| supplements - has shown some very positive results | | | | time. You need to give the new diet at least six |
| for them. Evan, who once communicated no more | | | | months before you can expect to start seeing |
| than one word at a time is now fully conversational | | | | results. |
| and can maintain eye contact - in other words, | | | | Of course, your child could also be examined for |
| interacting like a normal child. | | | | "leaky gut" first - but since the gluten-free or |
| How does a gluten/casein free diet help a children | | | | casein-free diet is not in any way unhealthy, there's |
| with autism? No one is really sure, but some believe | | | | no reason not to go ahead and try, and see if you |
| that gluten (a protein compound found in some | | | | have any positive changes. Many parents who have |
| grains) and casein (a protein found in dairy) act in | | | | made the switch to a gluten/casein-free diet for their |
| somewhat like morphine on some children. Autistic | | | | autistic child are very optimistic about the results |
| children are often found to have 'leaky gut' - that is | | | | they're seeing. They are reporting better |
| to say, a permeable intestinal tract. The weakened | | | | communication and more interaction from their |
| membranes in their intestines permit broken-down | | | | children. The medical community is looking closely at |
| peptides from digested gluten and casein escape into | | | | this alternative treatment option for autism and many |
| the bloodstream. | | | | doctors are adding it to their treatment plans for |
| How can you know if a gluten and casein free diet | | | | autistic patients. But it's not a guarantee for |
| will help your autistic child? Research has still not | | | | everyone. |