Natural leads

How one study approached the challenges of autism.

By Karen Kwok, MM, MTA, MT-BC and Nikki Yeh

Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) involve behavioural characteristics ranging from mild to severe. Speech is absent in 50 percent of cases. Many of these individuals have a resistance to change and feel the need to repeat certain behaviours. In Canada alone, reports Autism Canada, there are 200,000 individuals living with ASD.

According to Scott Clack, ND from Mississauga, Ontario, gluten- and casein-free diets may contribute to positive behavioural changes. Gluten is a protein found in barley, rye, oats and wheat; casein is a protein found in dairy products. In a study led by Clack between November 2007 and August 2008, two ideas were put to the test: if casein and gluten are not digested properly, this increases an individual’s amount of opium-like neurological aff ects. e other idea noted was that immunological reactivity occurs from gluten and casein, which means those with autism tend to produce antibodies that cause a brain allergy.

The results? Through a urinary peptide test, 13 children with ASD were tested to see if they had quantifi able levels of casomorphin and gliadorphin (which are respectively casein and gluten proteins that are by-products of opium-like compounds). None of the 13 children tested positive for gliadorphin, however, each child had quantifi able levels of casomorphin. Meanwhile 18 patients had their plasma IgG levels tested, which helped determine whether or not they had antibodies to a number of foods. Out of the 18 patients, 70 to 80 percent of them tested positive for IgG antibodies to at least milk, cheese, casein, wheat, oats, gluten or gliadin.

Based on parental reporting and clinical observations of the impact of gluten- and casein-free diets, Clack noted these results:

• The children had an increased effort to speak and use a multiple number
of words, sentences and proper use of nouns;
• Improved interaction with other kids and siblings, which included
tolerance for group interactions and initiating play with others;
• Reduced gastrointestinal symptoms, such as reduced bloating;
• Better sleep and reduced repetitive behaviours.

If you’re concerned about your autistic child’s diet, speak to a naturopathic doctor about your options. Clack also adds, “Parents should ideally look for someone experienced in biomedical approaches to autism.”

References
Campbell, JM. 2003 Effi cacy of behavioural interventions for reducing problem behaviour in persons with autism:
A quantitative synthesis of single-subject research. Research in Developmental Disabilities 24: 120-138. 2003.
Clack, Scott, Rouchotas, Philip, Lee, Tanya. Objective determination of markers of gluten and casein sensitivity among children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Integrated Healthcare Practitioners January 2009.
Masi G, Cosenza A, Mucci M, Brovedani P. A 3-year naturalistic study of 53 preschool children with pervasive developmental disorders treated with risperidone. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2003; 64(9): 1039-1047.
McCracken et al. on behalf of the Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Autism Network. Risperidone in Children with Autism and Serious Behavioral Problems NEJM New England Journal of Medicine 347(5):314-321.2002.
Millward C., Ferriter M., Calver S., Connell-Jones G. 2004. Gluten- and Casein-Free Diets for Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2004 Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.