There are a number of diets or dietary interventions that, according to numerous anecdotal reports, can be helpful for ASD children. Often, these diets restrict certain components of food. For example, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) restricts the types of carbohydrates a child may eat. The gluten-free, casein-free diet (GFCF) does not allow for the proteins found in many grains (wheat, rye, etc) and dairy.

There are many other options for diet; however, the main focus of any good diet should be to remove substances that may be detrimental and to increase healthful, nutritious foods that can help the body heal and grow. Perhaps the best book to provide information about each of the popular diets is Julie Matthew’s Nourishing Hope. This book is also a good resource for information on cleaning up the home environment. www.nourishinghope.com Nourishing Hope covers some of the science behind various interventions, the main autism diets, and many of the basic treatments. The website also offers a great deal of information to anyone pursuing dietary interventions for their child.

Chronic problems with loading and impaction are very common in people with autism. These can begin with what appears to be simple constipation and mask something more complex and debilitating. Posturing, bloating, unusual bowel habits or self injury can all be signs of constipation or loading. This fact sheet will tell you more.

Constipation – Most common cause of abdominal pain

Sally Fallon Interview Feb 2010

This Cultured Food Fact Sheet is a tremendous starting point for this healthy and beneficial type of diet. Low in cost but high in health-benefits cultured food has been eaten for generations and we are only now beginning to understand the complex nutritional role it can play.

The Treating Autism fact sheet on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. This can be of tremendous help in gut healing and pain reduction.

Autism – The Fundamental Role of Gut Bacteria, a video interview with Dr Derrick MacFabe discussing fascinating new research that connects changes in gut bacteria to autism spectrum disorder.