Autism affects one in 100 people in the UK, with an estimated 600,000 people on what is known as the ‘autistic spectrum'.
Autism is a psychologically diagnosed condition that affects, to varying levels, a person's ability to communicate and interact with other people; autistic children frequently have problems using imaginative play as well.
There are many behavioural and physical symptoms that arise with autism such as learning difficulties, hyperactivity and intestinal problems. A limited diet is a very common problem as autistic children are often selective about what they'll eat, sometimes refusing certain foods because of their shape, colour or texture. Unhappiness about eating in a particular setting - a room that's too bright or too noisy, for example - can also lead to a restricted diet.
What children eat directly affects how their body and brain operate, so supplying the body with a healthy selection of food is crucial. Diet and nutrition are key foundations for the health of children with autism.
Intolerances
There has been a great deal of research into therapeutic diets for people with autism. There's some evidence that intolerance to gluten (found in wheat, barley, oats and rye) and casein (a type of protein in dairy foods, as well as sheep and goat products) are common. Many parents of autistic children opt to try a diet that excludes these foods.
If you think your child reacts badly when he or she eats foods containing gluten or casein, you should talk to a dietitian, or clinical nutritionist who specialises in autism, about excluding these products and finding the best ‘autism diet' for your child.
Keeping it natural
There's also some evidence that avoiding certain artificial ingredients (artificial food colours and benzoates, for example) can benefit children who suffer with some of the other conditions associated with autism, such as hyperactivity. Many products on supermarket shelves have been ‘cleaned up' in recent months and no longer contain these types of ingredients but it's always worth checking food labels. Asda has removed monosodium glutamate and artificial colours from all its own brand products; benzoates have been taken out of the Great Stuff range and Asda's working on removing them from its other ranges.
Avoiding these types of unnecessary additives is a relatively straightforward and low-risk dietary strategy but all parents know how hard it can be to persuade children to swap their favourite sweets for fresh fruit! Simple ideas such as juicing fruits and vegetables and making them into an ice lolly might help to boost your child's 5-a-day and cut their intake of potentially damaging artificial ingredients.
If you'd like to know more about the best diet for your autistic child, The Autism File is a magazine dealing with all aspects of autism and is an excellent resource for parents of autistic children. Visit their website or contact them at The Autism File, PO Box 144, Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 3HX, tel: 020 8979 2525.