| It seems like common sense that a well nourished child | | | | reflux, watery eyes, nasal congestion or sneezing. To |
| is a happier child. Many parents have noticed moody | | | | determine which foods are problematic, an "Elimination |
| or cranky behavior in their young children before meal | | | | Challenge Diet" is applied. Once problem foods are |
| time or after school when they arrive home hungry. | | | | removed from the diet, the discomfort is resolved, and |
| For an Autistic child, however, who may not be able to | | | | the child becomes more open to mealtime. A |
| accurately communicate his or her needs, this hunger | | | | well-nourished child is a better-behaved child. In many |
| may go unnoticed. Or they may not want to eat and | | | | cases, children who undergo nutrition assessment and |
| may have many food aversions. For these reasons, | | | | treatment, have a formed bowel movement for the |
| integrating nutrition therapy into treatment for children | | | | first time in his or her life. Imagine how eliminating this |
| with autism is critical. | | | | discomfort helps a child! |
| In many cases, nutrition is not an integral part of overall | | | | Many autistic children may also have a subclinical |
| therapy at diagnosis. Yet many parents who | | | | nutrition deficiency. This is a deficiency of a particular |
| eventually seek out this information on their own, are | | | | vitamin, mineral, or essential fatty acid that is not |
| getting nutrition information from questionable sources. | | | | severe enough to produce a classic deficiency |
| Some parents may not take nutrition therapy into | | | | symptom, but rather has more global, subtle effects |
| consideration at all. | | | | that result in loss of optimal health and impairment of |
| Autism is complex and involves a spectrum of | | | | body processes. These subclinical deficiencies can |
| challenging behaviors, so it is natural for both parents | | | | cause irritability, poor concentration, depression, anxiety, |
| and caregivers to initially focus directly on controlling | | | | sleep disturbances or loss of appetite. While it is best |
| those behaviors. In many cases, the health care team | | | | to determine which vitamin or mineral the child may be |
| includes a physician, occupational therapist, speech | | | | deficient in, minimally a standard multi-vitamin and |
| therapist and behavior therapist; but does not include a | | | | mineral supplement is recommended. Look for |
| registered dietitian to provide nutrition therapy. What is | | | | supplements that have the USP label on them, and |
| interesting is that almost all autistic children have | | | | those that are free of colors, allergens or artificial |
| nutritional deficiencies, food intolerance, or | | | | flavors to eliminate any possible food intolerance |
| gastrointestinal disorders that often are not thoroughly | | | | issues. Using liquid forms that can be mixed into |
| addressed. While studies involving the significance of | | | | favorite foods (such as applesauce, yogurt, juices, or |
| the effect nutrition status has in the management of | | | | sherbet) is one strategy for children who have difficulty |
| autism are preliminary, there is good reason to | | | | chewing or swallowing vitamins. Asking a pharmacist |
| consider filling this gap in treatment. | | | | to compound a multivitamin and mineral supplement |
| The goal of nutrition therapy in autism is to support the | | | | that is age appropriate is another option. |
| structure and function of the child's brain and body to | | | | In addition to the multivitamin/mineral, omego-3 fatty |
| perform at their optimal level and to maximize the | | | | acids have been shown to be helpful as well. |
| child's brain function so that the response to other | | | | Numerous studies indicate that Omega-3 fatty acids |
| treatment is enhanced. Proper nutrition therapy should | | | | are deficient in those who have ADHD, Dyslexia and |
| include a comprehensive nutrition assessment and also | | | | Dyspraxia. Abnormalities in fatty acid metabolism may |
| address feeding problems, any gastrointestinal | | | | account for many features common in these |
| problems, or need for vitamin and mineral | | | | conditions. There is some preliminary evidence that it is |
| supplementation. | | | | also deficient in children with autism. For children ages |
| Imagine a child who has difficulty communicating his or | | | | seven and older, 650 milligrams per day of an |
| her needs, feeling uncomfortable every time he eats | | | | Omega-3 that provides both EPA and DHA is |
| due to unknown food sensitivities or intolerance. This | | | | recommended. For children four to six years of age, |
| sends a negative message to avoid those foods or | | | | 540 milligrams per day is recommended, and for |
| avoid eating all together. Children with food allergies are | | | | children aged one to three, 390 milligrams per day is |
| at higher risk for nutrition-related problems and | | | | needed. |
| decreased growth, but children with autism are more | | | | Much more research is needed in the area of nutrition |
| negatively affected due to their problems with sensory | | | | and autism, but clearly nutrition is a key piece of the |
| integration dysfunction. | | | | treatment puzzle that is often missing. Speak with your |
| Allergy symptoms may include hives, coughing, | | | | health care team about a thorough nutrition |
| eczema, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gastrointestinal | | | | assessment for your autistic child. |