Great article about dietary and nutritional treatments for ASD

The article in the link at the end of my post comes from the Autism/Aspergers Research Program at Arizona State University and is written by James B. Adams, Ph.D, the director of the program. He summarizes dietary and nutritional programs based on information from over 150 different research studies. So, he has done all of the research for you and collated it into one spot.

A brief summary in the article states that "Autism is a very complex disorder, and involves many genetic and environmental factors that are not well-understood. However, there are many biomedical abnormalities that have been identified, and most can be treated to some degree. By following the testing and treatments outlined above, many individuals will improve to some degree, usually slowly
and steadily over months and years. Sometimes one treatment shows great benefit, but it is more common that each treatment helps a small amount. However, the cumulative effect of multiple treatments can be substantial."

I am a firm believer in the power of change that a good diet can have. Both for neuro-typical people and people on the spectrum.  If I get in a poor eating rut, I notice less energy, a lower tolerance for frustration and I will often catch whatever virus may be floating around at the time.  I have seen diet and nutrition have an even greater impact on people on the spectrum. It can often have a significant impact on their behavior which can be a life changer for families.

Unfortunately, the majority of people in the states eat a diet rich in processed foods and added sugars. My current country, Saudi Arabia, and many other countries, don't have many of the same issues as they don't have the same availability of processed foods so tend to eat a more whole food rich diet.  Any dietician, whether you visit for health or weight loss, will first and foremost tell you to cut out added sugars and processed foods.  The nutritional benefits of these two changes can make a world of difference, especially for people with ASD.

To dig deeper, many people have intolerances to gluten and casein (essentially wheat and dairy products) and people on the spectrum tend to be more sensitive to these intolerances, thereby it effects their behavior. There are many more foods that cause allergic reactions or that people may be intolerant of and, on the flip side, there are many improtant nutrients that we can derive from food that can have beneficial effects on health and wellness, and for people on the spectrum, behavior.

While committing to a strict eating routine can be difficult, especially in the beginning, the benefits can be significant and well worth the investment of time and energy in the long run. That being said, there is an abundance of information out there and it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. The following article is one of the most comprehensive, yet simple to understand, ones that I have seen on the subject. It is directed specifically towards people on the spectrum and it covers the topic thoroughly and clearly. Additionally, it only covers treatments that have been backed by research.

Each "treatment" section starts with a rationale of why the treatment may be effective, then proceeds to an explanation of the treatment and how to implement it, the possible benefits, the testing, and finishes with the research behind the treatment.

I highly recommend this article if you are considering a nutritional treatment plan, as a reference for better understanding if you already involved in one or as worth a look if you haven't considered or heard of nutritional treatments. Click here for the article.