| "> | | | | manifested in the first 3 years of life and characterized |
| Like Chinese whispers’, for several years | | | | by dysfunction in social interaction and |
| there has been the belief that putting autistic children | | | | communication AND although not included in the |
| on a gluten free diet will in time reduce the symptoms | | | | diagnostic criteria, there have been many reports |
| of their autism. Many mothers in forum groups still | | | | describing gastrointestinal symptoms in 9% to 84% of |
| stand by this assertion. The latest tests indicate that | | | | children with autism. |
| there is no specific link between celiac disease and | | | | However the very latest papers released in January |
| autism, however there are cautions to ruling out | | | | 2010 suggest that care providers should be aware |
| potential benefits of going gluten free for children with | | | | that problem behavior in patients with ASD's may be |
| developmental disorders. | | | | the primary or sole symptom of the underlying medical |
| It appears that the basis of this story traces back to a | | | | condition, including some gastrointestinal disorders. |
| 1998 medical paper that suggested that autistic | | | | (Ref 2) |
| children often suffered from a problem called "leaky | | | | Another study confirms that a Significant |
| gut" / "autistic entercolitis". The idea was that | | | | differences between autism case and control subjects |
| opiates found in gluten and casein (dairy) were | | | | were identified in the cumulative incidence of |
| released when gluten food was improperly digested. | | | | constipation (33.9% vs 17.6%) and feeding issues/ food |
| This happened when the GI tract was damaged by | | | | selectivity (24.5% vs 16.1). BUT No significant |
| such things as celiac disease. The opiates then | | | | associations were found between autism case status |
| supposedly were released into the bloodstream | | | | and overall incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms or |
| causing or increasing obvious autistic like symptoms. | | | | any other gastrointestinal symptom category. |
| This paper is now widely discredited and retracted. | | | | ( Ref 3) Which leads to the conclusion that as |
| The current concern is that the bounce back | | | | constipation and feeding issues/food selectivity often |
| effect’ from such a retraction is the discrediting | | | | have a behavioral etiology, data suggest that a neuro |
| of celiac disease in healthy and autistic children. For | | | | behavioral rather than a primary organic gastrointestinal |
| those unaware of Developmental disorders’ | | | | etiology is the cause — that is, the autism |
| in children they cover five main categories. These are: | | | | was not specifically affected by gluten. |
| Autism | | | | CONCLUSIONS |
| Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder | | | | The American Association of Pediatrics reports clarify |
| (ADHD) | | | | that children with autism and other Developmental |
| Attention deficit disorder (ADD) | | | | disorders often do have untreated gastrointestinal |
| Non-verbal learning disorder (NLD) | | | | issues. However they stress that there is no higher |
| Pervasive development disorder (PDD) | | | | rate of GI disorders in children with autism than any |
| COELIAC DISEASE SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN | | | | other children. |
| Some of the symptoms of celiac disease and/ or milk | | | | Further to this they add the caution that a central |
| intolerance on the Gastro Intestinal (GI) tract | | | | difficulty in recognizing and characterizing gastro |
| in children are: | | | | intestinal dysfunction with ASDs is the communication |
| Bloating/swollen tummy | | | | difficulties experienced by many affected individuals. |
| Breaking wind frequently | | | | That is, GP’s and parents often fail to recognize |
| Constipation | | | | the symptoms of GI because they are handling some |
| Craving/ dislike for certain foods | | | | greater behavioral disorders and hence GI disorders, |
| Dark shadows under the eyes | | | | including celiac disease, can easily go undiagnosed for |
| Diarrhea | | | | even longer than the regular population (which can |
| Eating non-food items e.g. earth, paper, sand, | | | | take ten years). |
| soap | | | | One can draw the conclusion from this latest research |
| Excessive sweating, especially at night | | | | that just as easy as it is for celiac disease to go |
| Giggling/ screaming for no apparent reason | | | | undiagnosed in healthy children and adults, gluten |
| Gut disorders in the family | | | | intolerance would very easily be ignored in symptoms |
| Inability to control body temperature | | | | of a child with strong behavioral disorders such as |
| Pale skin/pasty face | | | | autism. |
| (Ref 1) | | | | If you are at all concerned with whether someone you |
| It appears that the most rigorous research into the | | | | know with autism or a related disorder may have a GI |
| possible links between celiac disease (or other GI | | | | such as celiac disease, it is best discussing this with |
| disorders) and autism (or other related Developmental | | | | your doctor. However do remember, that for a full |
| disorders) are coming from American PEDIATRICS | | | | confirmation of the disease a biopsy will usually need |
| department studies. | | | | to be taken which requires that the person is still |
| One definition of Autism is that that it is a pervasive | | | | ingesting gluten at the time. |
| developmental disorder (PDD) that is generally | | | | |