Casein and Gluten Free Diet Not Beneficial For Autistic Children

A casein and gluten free diet is often used as a way to alleviate some symptoms associated with autism, but according to a new study the diet has no effect. The diet cuts out the proteins that are found in dairy products and several pastas, breads and cereals. Autism experts believe the proteins trigger a response that causes the digestive system to rebel. Children with autism often have digestive problems, which leads many supporters of the diet to believe there is a link.

The study evaluated a small group of kids between the ages of 2 ½ and 5 ½. The children were placed on the special diet for 18 weeks. Some diet supporters are already claiming this time frame is an insufficient amount of time to base conclusive findings upon. After 4 weeks of being on the diet, the children were given small snacks that contained either casein or gluten and in some cases, both.

Parents, teachers and researchers evaluated the child’s behavior before they ate the snacks, 2 hours after the snack, and again at 24 hours. Again, diet supporters believe an evaluation at 72 hours would have been appropriate. Researchers concluded the children had no negative side effects after eating the gluten and casein snacks. This study leads researchers to believe there is no real benefit to the diet. Doctors are quick to point out such a strict diet may result in a calcium deficiency in a child. Researchers do agree larger, more comprehensive studies are needed before the diet can be completely ruled out.