A 34-year-old member asked:
can treatments for autism like gluten-free diets really work?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Kathryn Akin answered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 37 years experience
Sometimes: When you look at the population of all autism spectum individuals as a whole, they do not respond to gluten-free diets. However there is a sub-set of these individuals who respond very well to a gluten-free diet. These individuals often have a history of gastrointestinal problems, most commonly diarrhea. The only way to know for sure about any individual is to try the diet for a few weeks and see.
5172 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. James Ferguson answered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
No: They can help a child with autism and gluten sensitivity settle down and have a less disordered life.But that just brings him/her to equity with other autistic kids.It does not repair the issues that result in autism.
4944 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Mark Diamond answered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
No: Not really.But kids with varying degrees of autism do have other comorbid conditions such as allergies or gluten sensitivity.
So they feel better with the gluten free diet.But it does not seem to help the umderlying autistic problem.There is certainly no positive evidence.
4944 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated Nov 28, 2017
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