Autism And Diet

This fairly common – but not always recognized – developmental disorder affects 1 in 2500 people. The condition should become apparent in the first three years of life.

Autism is a perplexing, life long mental disability that is believed to be caused by brain damage rather than by emotional trauma. The condition impairs a child’s natural instinct to communicate and form relationships, and the child usually withdraws into an isolated world of his own.

There is either a lack of language development, or a loss of speech skills that have already developed.

Though there is no definite proof that diet plays a role in causing autism, or that diet can cure it, some autistic children and adults have abnormal diets because of faddy eating patterns, though they are not usually undernourished.

Although it has been found that most children with behaviour problems are not particularly affected by diet, some parents may notice that a particular food or drink does make their child’s behaviour worse.

A normal diet contains several things that can affect brain chemistry. Caffeine, for example, found in tea, coffee and certain soft drinks, has an effect upon the behaviour of many children, and tends to worsen irritability and restlessness.

If you suspect that a particular food upsets your child, keep a diary of your child’s diet. Make a note of whether has had any of the suspect food, then remove it from the diet. Check ingredient lists to see whether it is included in any processed foods.

If after a month the diet has had no effect, the food can be introduced again. Be aware, however, that restricting the intake of certain foods can also exacerbate the condition.

However, the most important dietary consideration for children with autism is that they should have a balanced intake of different kinds of food.