Autism Spectrum Disorders

Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Author: Ananya Mandal

Autism is essentially a disability of social interactive skills and communications that is detected in early infancy. According to severity of symptoms and progression autism covers a spectrum of behavioral and developmental disorders and thus is often termed as Autism spectrum disorders or ASD.

Asperger’s syndrome is an autistic disorder typically characterized by lack of communications skills, restricted interests and often speech impairments. Asperger’s syndrome is a milder variety of autism and may not be detected till the child reaches puberty. ASD is considered to be a condition with deranged or delayed development rather than a disease. ASD can often coexist with other medical and psychiatric conditions. Children with ASD can have gastrointestinal problems or may suffer from seizures, mental retardation, depression, anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder or even antisocial personality disorders.

Over the past few decades more and more children are diagnosed with this disorder. A recent study showed that nearly 1.1% children of age 3 to 17 suffer from mild to severe form of ASD in the US. This forms a huge population of school going children who are autistic.

The rise of ASD prevalence was initially thought due to increased awareness of the disease and improved diagnostic criteria. Even a few decades ago a child with impaired social skills at an early age was considered ‘shy’ or ‘different’ but normal. Today most parents and care givers of children are aware of this disorder and are early to spot the abnormality in a child’s behavior compared to his peers.

However other factors that can contribute to this alarming rise are increasingly coming to the forefront. Some commonly known and studied factors that could contribute to the rise of ASD incidences could be summarized as –

1. Genetic – An abnormality in one of the genes on the sixteenth chromosome is found to be associated with ASD.  The change in the gene may not be seen in any of the parents but a baby with this genetic abnormality may be especially at risk of developing ASD. Familial autism is also common occurrence. There are families that have more than one child with ASD.
2. Vaccines – Use of toxic thimerosal – a toxic component is vaccines in the early part of the century were blamed for the rise of ASD. The link between vaccines and autism is not established scientifically.
3. Environmental factors – The rise of ASD is most commonly associated with increase in pollution and exposure to harmful toxins, electromagnetic rays and drugs during pregnancy and infancy.

The earlier belief that poor parenting leads to autism is long abandoned. ASD is a condition that causes some handicap for the child but diet can form an essential tool for the parents in order to help the child fight this condition better. As genetic and environmental causes are proven a more rational approach towards planning an autistic child’s diet have shown to good results.

Autistic children tend to suffer more from constipation and diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Identification of associated medical problems like hypothyroidisms, disorders of metabolism is essential in treatment of autism. Over all a biomedical approach including correction of medical disorders and improvement of diet can help in treatment of autism.

Some common dietary and nutrition tips for children with ASD can be summarized as –

1. Food sensitivity and allergies – ASD children are often allergic to certain foods. The allergens in the foods trigger the immune system and also act on the opioid receptors of the brain. Both these mechanisms can harm the child suffering from ASD by aggravating the condition. Gluten free Casein free (GFCF) diet is often advocated for autistic children. Wheat and dairy based products should be removed from the diet. These diets also need to be corn and soy free.
2. Probiotics – Autistic children often suffer from fungal infections of the gut and have low levels of helpful bacteria in their gut. Food supplementation with these helpful bacteria as probiotics can thus be helpful in autistic children. Antifungal drugs can often help these children with yeast or fungal gut infections. Diet to control fungal infections of the gut include avoidance of yeast containing foods like breads, vinegar, cheese etc.
3. Improvement of dietary quality – Children with ASD as well as normal children need essential nutrients in their diet. A diet with adequate portions of fruits, vegetables, proteins and essential fatty acids is essential for an autistic child. These also provide essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals that are important for the growth and mental development of the child. Avoidance of artificial colors, flavors, junk and fried food, excessive sugar, salt and saturated fats in diet help an autistic child. Opting for organic fruits and vegetables that can prevent ingestion of pesticides and other heavy metals.
4. Supplementations in food – High dose of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Magnesium supplementation in the diet of an autistic child has shown benefits.
5. Essential fatty acids – omega 3 and omega 6 in diet is important for an autistic child. Autistic children have low levels of these fatty acids and supplementation in diet can be helpful in the treatment of such children.
6. Digestive enzymes – Autistic children often lack essential digestive enzymes that make them susceptible to frequent gastrointestinal abnormalities like constipation and diarrhea. When allergic food is removed from the diet of an autistic child, digestive enzymes can be supplemented in order to improve nutrient absorption.
7. Good quality protein supplements like whey protein in diet of an autistic child are essential for the growth, development and improvement.
8. Other less researched supplementations in diet include the hormone Melatonin for autistic children with sleep problems.

With a healthy diet, adequate care, encouragement and correction of concomitant medical ailments many children over the world have slowly moved to the path of recovery and lead a socially productive life with autism. ASD being a complex condition no treatment alone is completely effective in curing the child. Over the years trial of combination of multiple dietary approaches can bring forth the best suited treatment that can aid in recovery.

References –

1. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/what-are-the-autism-spectrum-disorders.shtml
2. http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62:what-is-aspergers&catid=36:what-is&Itemid=176
3. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMoa075974
4. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/710009
5. http://autismaspergerssyndrome.suite101.com/article.cfm/causes_of_autism
6. http://www.autism.com/treatable/adams_biomed_summary.pdf
7. http://www.autism-help.org/

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