RE: Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral Improvement

[Guest guest]

I do know, in our case, 's : 1) aggressive behaviors toward others 2) his

self mutilating behaviors 3) his waking up, screaming from a sound sleep, due to

gastro-intestinal pain 4) his running away from us 5) his running in circles 6)

his ability too finally sleep through the night....all these issues got better

with the introduction of the GF/CF diet, and supplements. In time, he began to

see Dr Goldberg, and he has begun to have increased cognitive gains on the

diet/protocol. I was worried when we stopped the supplements, but the

protocol has really benefited him.

Marilyn

Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral Improvement

Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral Improvement

ScienceDaily (May 20, 2010) — A popular belief that specific dietary changes

can improve the symptoms of children with autism was not supported by a tightly

controlled University of Rochester study, which found that eliminating gluten

and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their

behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.

The study is the most controlled diet research in autism to date. The

researchers took on the difficult yet crucial task of ensuring participants

received needed nutrients, as children on gluten-free, casein-free diets may eat

inadequate amounts of vitamin D, calcium, iron and high quality protein. Unlike

previous studies, they also controlled for other interventions, such as what

type of behavioral treatments children received, to ensure all observed changes

were due to dietary alterations. Past studies did not control for such factors.

And although no improvements were demonstrated, the researchers acknowledged

that some subgroups of children, particularly those with significant

gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, might receive some benefit from dietary changes.

" It would have been wonderful for children with autism and their families if we

found that the GFCF diet could really help, but this small study didn't show

significant benefits, " said Hyman, M.D., associate professor of Pediatrics

at Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center

(URMC) and principal investigator of the study which will be presented on May 22

at the International Meeting for Autism Research in Philadelphia. " However, the

study didn't include children with significant gastrointestinal disease. It's

possible those children and other specific groups might see a benefit. "

In response to widespread parent-reported benefits, URMC initiated the trial in

2003 to scientifically evaluate the effects of the gluten-free and casein-free

diet, which eliminates wheat, rye, barley and milk proteins. Parent observation

has played an important role in earlier treatment discoveries in children with

autism, such as melatonin's benefits for sleep.

Hyman's study enrolled 22 children between 2 ½- and 5 ½-years-old. Fourteen

children completed the intervention, which was planned for 18 weeks for each

family. The families had to strictly adhere to a gluten-free and casein-free

diet and participate in early intensive behavioral intervention throughout the

study. Children were screened for iron and vitamin D deficiency, milk and wheat

allergies and celiac disease. One child was excluded because of a positive test

for celiac disease and one was excluded for iron deficiency. Other volunteers

who were excluded were unable to adhere to the study requirements. The

children's diets were carefully monitored throughout the study to make sure they

were getting enough vitamin D, iron, calcium, protein and other nutrients.

After at least four weeks on the strict diet, the children were challenged with

either gluten, casein, both or placebo in randomized order. They were given a

snack once weekly with either 20 grams of wheat flour, 23 grams of non fat dried

milk, both, or neither until every child received each snack three times. The

type of snack was given in randomized order and presented so that no one

observing -- including the family, child, research staff and therapy team --

knew what it contained. The snacks were carefully engineered to look, taste and

feel the same, which was an exercise in innovative cooking. In addition, the

nutrition staff worked closely with the families to make a snack that met their

child's preferences. Casein was disguised in pudding, yogurt or smoothies and

gluten in banana bread, brownies, or cookies depending on the child's food

preferences.

Parents, teachers and a research assistant filled out standardized surveys about

the child's behavior the day before they received the snack, at two and 24 hours

after the snack. (If the child's behavior wasn't usual at the scheduled snack

time, the snack would be postponed until the child was back to baseline.) In

addition, the parents kept a standard diary of food intake, sleep and bowel

habits. Social interaction and language were evaluated through videotaped

scoring of a standardized play session with a research assistant.

Following the gluten and casein snacks, study participants had no change in

attention, activity, sleep or frequency or quality of bowel habits. Children

demonstrated a small increase in social language and interest in interaction

after the challenges with gluten or casein on the Ritvo Freeman Real Life Rating

Scale; however, it did not reach statistical significance. That means because of

the small difference and the small number of participants in the study, the

finding may be due to chance alone.

The investigators note that this study was not designed to look at more

restrictive diets or the effect of nutritional supplements on behavior. This

study was designed to look at the effects of the removal of gluten and casein

from the diet of children with autism (without celiac disease) and subsequent

effect of challenges with these substances in a group of children getting early

intensive behavioral intervention.

Hyman said, " This is really just the tip of the iceberg. There are many possible

effects of diet including over- and under-nutrition, on behavior in children

with ASD that need to be scientifically investigated so families can make

informed decisions about the therapies they choose for their children. "

This study was funded by the NIH's National Institutes of Mental Health Studies

to Advance Autism Treatment Research and National Center for Research Resources

(NCRR).

[Guest guest]

As a professional, this study chaps my nether parts. It looks good, sounds

good, but simply serves those who want to discredit the few in the medical

world who actually have a clue about treating autism.

Ask anyone on this list or others like it and they'll say, well, for

starters, you'd better have them off all gluten and casein with no cross

contamination for a minimum of 3 months, not a minimum of 1 month since

gluten is still working its black magic one month into the diet.

But now people who want to call you crazy for restricting your kids diet

have a weapon -- something to e-mail you " proving " it's nonsense.

This study is the equivalent of saying, " I'm going on weight-loss diet to

get down 3 clothing sizes " and then watching what you eat for 3 days and

then trying on the smaller clothes to see if they fit. No? Well, the diet

must not be working then.

Rant done.

--

Dena Page, M.Ed., CBA

Certified Auditory Integration Therapy (DAA) Practitioner

054 812 5973

www.listenbetterwithait.com

Certified Irlen Screener

Certified Behavior Analyst

[Guest guest]

I wonder if the fact that the processing of the milk or casein to a non-fat

dried milk, and the gluten in wheat flour are less caustic or less reactive

then if they tried whole grain wheat and real, fresh milk…

Dr. G would not allow processed wheat if it were reactive, thus the kinder,

easier and tolerated diet!

I also wonder if the initial four weeks on the strict diet, was not enough

to clear the kids system of the culprit, so when they had their snack with

the processed contaminants, that would explain why there was no change in

behaviour.

However we found definite benefit and a HUGE change in my son within days of

removing each offender when he was nearly 4. The gluten did however take

longer and was not as obvious as the dairy. I would like to see a different

study with consultation from Autism parents who have done it successfully.

It really shows to me that Dr. G is bang on with his theory that the

processing of the allergens removes most of the negative for sensitive kids.

It is sad to me that this study might discourage people from pursuing not

only the GFCF diet, that was the starting point for many of us with children

diagnosed in the spectrum, but also the proof positive that our children

need biological, medical help.

Lori

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of ElyseG

Sent: May-20-10 5:00 PM

Subject: Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral

Improvement

Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral Improvement

ScienceDaily (May 20, 2010) — A popular belief that specific dietary changes

can improve the symptoms of children with autism was not supported by a

tightly controlled University of Rochester study, which found that

eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no

impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.

The study is the most controlled diet research in autism to date. The

researchers took on the difficult yet crucial task of ensuring participants

received needed nutrients, as children on gluten-free, casein-free diets may

eat inadequate amounts of vitamin D, calcium, iron and high quality protein.

Unlike previous studies, they also controlled for other interventions, such

as what type of behavioral treatments children received, to ensure all

observed changes were due to dietary alterations. Past studies did not

control for such factors. And although no improvements were demonstrated,

the researchers acknowledged that some subgroups of children, particularly

those with significant gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, might receive some

benefit from dietary changes.

" It would have been wonderful for children with autism and their families if

we found that the GFCF diet could really help, but this small study didn't

show significant benefits, " said Hyman, M.D., associate professor of

Pediatrics at Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Rochester

Medical Center (URMC) and principal investigator of the study which will be

presented on May 22 at the International Meeting for Autism Research in

Philadelphia. " However, the study didn't include children with significant

gastrointestinal disease. It's possible those children and other specific

groups might see a benefit. "

In response to widespread parent-reported benefits, URMC initiated the trial

in 2003 to scientifically evaluate the effects of the gluten-free and

casein-free diet, which eliminates wheat, rye, barley and milk proteins.

Parent observation has played an important role in earlier treatment

discoveries in children with autism, such as melatonin's benefits for sleep.

Hyman's study enrolled 22 children between 2 ½- and 5 ½-years-old. Fourteen

children completed the intervention, which was planned for 18 weeks for each

family. The families had to strictly adhere to a gluten-free and casein-free

diet and participate in early intensive behavioral intervention throughout

the study. Children were screened for iron and vitamin D deficiency, milk

and wheat allergies and celiac disease. One child was excluded because of a

positive test for celiac disease and one was excluded for iron deficiency.

Other volunteers who were excluded were unable to adhere to the study

requirements. The children's diets were carefully monitored throughout the

study to make sure they were getting enough vitamin D, iron, calcium,

protein and other nutrients.

After at least four weeks on the strict diet, the children were challenged

with either gluten, casein, both or placebo in randomized order. They were

given a snack once weekly with either 20 grams of wheat flour, 23 grams of

non fat dried milk, both, or neither until every child received each snack

three times. The type of snack was given in randomized order and presented

so that no one observing -- including the family, child, research staff and

therapy team -- knew what it contained. The snacks were carefully engineered

to look, taste and feel the same, which was an exercise in innovative

cooking. In addition, the nutrition staff worked closely with the families

to make a snack that met their child's preferences. Casein was disguised in

pudding, yogurt or smoothies and gluten in banana bread, brownies, or

cookies depending on the child's food preferences.

Parents, teachers and a research assistant filled out standardized surveys

about the child's behavior the day before they received the snack, at two

and 24 hours after the snack. (If the child's behavior wasn't usual at the

scheduled snack time, the snack would be postponed until the child was back

to baseline.) In addition, the parents kept a standard diary of food intake,

sleep and bowel habits. Social interaction and language were evaluated

through videotaped scoring of a standardized play session with a research

assistant.

Following the gluten and casein snacks, study participants had no change in

attention, activity, sleep or frequency or quality of bowel habits. Children

demonstrated a small increase in social language and interest in interaction

after the challenges with gluten or casein on the Ritvo Freeman Real Life

Rating Scale; however, it did not reach statistical significance. That means

because of the small difference and the small number of participants in the

study, the finding may be due to chance alone.

The investigators note that this study was not designed to look at more

restrictive diets or the effect of nutritional supplements on behavior. This

study was designed to look at the effects of the removal of gluten and

casein from the diet of children with autism (without celiac disease) and

subsequent effect of challenges with these substances in a group of children

getting early intensive behavioral intervention.

Hyman said, " This is really just the tip of the iceberg. There are many

possible effects of diet including over- and under-nutrition, on behavior in

children with ASD that need to be scientifically investigated so families

can make informed decisions about the therapies they choose for their

children. "

This study was funded by the NIH's National Institutes of Mental Health

Studies to Advance Autism Treatment Research and National Center for

Research Resources (NCRR).

[Guest guest]

I don't get what is behind all of these studies.  There seems to be a

consistent, well-funded effort to discredit everything that has worked..   It

is almost like they want our kids to stay sick...

Lynn

From: Lori <lbharris@...>

Subject: RE: Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral

Improvement

Date: Friday, May 21, 2010, 8:02 AM

 

I wonder if the fact that the processing of the milk or casein to a non-fat

dried milk, and the gluten in wheat flour are less caustic or less reactive

then if they tried whole grain wheat and real, fresh milk…

Dr. G would not allow processed wheat if it were reactive, thus the kinder,

easier and tolerated diet!

I also wonder if the initial four weeks on the strict diet, was not enough

to clear the kids system of the culprit, so when they had their snack with

the processed contaminants, that would explain why there was no change in

behaviour.

However we found definite benefit and a HUGE change in my son within days of

removing each offender when he was nearly 4. The gluten did however take

longer and was not as obvious as the dairy. I would like to see a different

study with consultation from Autism parents who have done it successfully.

It really shows to me that Dr. G is bang on with his theory that the

processing of the allergens removes most of the negative for sensitive kids.

It is sad to me that this study might discourage people from pursuing not

only the GFCF diet, that was the starting point for many of us with children

diagnosed in the spectrum, but also the proof positive that our children

need biological, medical help.

Lori

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of ElyseG

Sent: May-20-10 5:00 PM

Subject: Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral

Improvement

Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral Improvement

ScienceDaily (May 20, 2010) — A popular belief that specific dietary changes

can improve the symptoms of children with autism was not supported by a

tightly controlled University of Rochester study, which found that

eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no

impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.

The study is the most controlled diet research in autism to date. The

researchers took on the difficult yet crucial task of ensuring participants

received needed nutrients, as children on gluten-free, casein-free diets may

eat inadequate amounts of vitamin D, calcium, iron and high quality protein.

Unlike previous studies, they also controlled for other interventions, such

as what type of behavioral treatments children received, to ensure all

observed changes were due to dietary alterations. Past studies did not

control for such factors. And although no improvements were demonstrated,

the researchers acknowledged that some subgroups of children, particularly

those with significant gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, might receive some

benefit from dietary changes.

" It would have been wonderful for children with autism and their families if

we found that the GFCF diet could really help, but this small study didn't

show significant benefits, " said Hyman, M.D., associate professor of

Pediatrics at Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Rochester

Medical Center (URMC) and principal investigator of the study which will be

presented on May 22 at the International Meeting for Autism Research in

Philadelphia. " However, the study didn't include children with significant

gastrointestinal disease. It's possible those children and other specific

groups might see a benefit. "

In response to widespread parent-reported benefits, URMC initiated the trial

in 2003 to scientifically evaluate the effects of the gluten-free and

casein-free diet, which eliminates wheat, rye, barley and milk proteins.

Parent observation has played an important role in earlier treatment

discoveries in children with autism, such as melatonin's benefits for sleep.

Hyman's study enrolled 22 children between 2 ½- and 5 ½-years-old. Fourteen

children completed the intervention, which was planned for 18 weeks for each

family. The families had to strictly adhere to a gluten-free and casein-free

diet and participate in early intensive behavioral intervention throughout

the study. Children were screened for iron and vitamin D deficiency, milk

and wheat allergies and celiac disease. One child was excluded because of a

positive test for celiac disease and one was excluded for iron deficiency.

Other volunteers who were excluded were unable to adhere to the study

requirements. The children's diets were carefully monitored throughout the

study to make sure they were getting enough vitamin D, iron, calcium,

protein and other nutrients.

After at least four weeks on the strict diet, the children were challenged

with either gluten, casein, both or placebo in randomized order. They were

given a snack once weekly with either 20 grams of wheat flour, 23 grams of

non fat dried milk, both, or neither until every child received each snack

three times. The type of snack was given in randomized order and presented

so that no one observing -- including the family, child, research staff and

therapy team -- knew what it contained. The snacks were carefully engineered

to look, taste and feel the same, which was an exercise in innovative

cooking. In addition, the nutrition staff worked closely with the families

to make a snack that met their child's preferences. Casein was disguised in

pudding, yogurt or smoothies and gluten in banana bread, brownies, or

cookies depending on the child's food preferences.

Parents, teachers and a research assistant filled out standardized surveys

about the child's behavior the day before they received the snack, at two

and 24 hours after the snack. (If the child's behavior wasn't usual at the

scheduled snack time, the snack would be postponed until the child was back

to baseline.) In addition, the parents kept a standard diary of food intake,

sleep and bowel habits. Social interaction and language were evaluated

through videotaped scoring of a standardized play session with a research

assistant.

Following the gluten and casein snacks, study participants had no change in

attention, activity, sleep or frequency or quality of bowel habits. Children

demonstrated a small increase in social language and interest in interaction

after the challenges with gluten or casein on the Ritvo Freeman Real Life

Rating Scale; however, it did not reach statistical significance. That means

because of the small difference and the small number of participants in the

study, the finding may be due to chance alone.

The investigators note that this study was not designed to look at more

restrictive diets or the effect of nutritional supplements on behavior. This

study was designed to look at the effects of the removal of gluten and

casein from the diet of children with autism (without celiac disease) and

subsequent effect of challenges with these substances in a group of children

getting early intensive behavioral intervention.

Hyman said, " This is really just the tip of the iceberg. There are many

possible effects of diet including over- and under-nutrition, on behavior in

children with ASD that need to be scientifically investigated so families

can make informed decisions about the therapies they choose for their

children. "

This study was funded by the NIH's National Institutes of Mental Health

Studies to Advance Autism Treatment Research and National Center for

Research Resources (NCRR).

[Guest guest]

Lynn

If you look at the history of medical research there has always been " Good

Science " and " Bad Science " done on the research level. Controversy creates

notoriety, to work and get paid in the field requires that you get published.

Unfortunately some supposed experts base there careers on how many people are

paying attention to them, regardless on the quality of their work.

From: Lori <lbharris@...>

Subject: RE: Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral

Improvement

Date: Friday, May 21, 2010, 8:02 AM

I wonder if the fact that the processing of the milk or casein to a non-fat

dried milk, and the gluten in wheat flour are less caustic or less reactive

then if they tried whole grain wheat and real, fresh milk…

Dr. G would not allow processed wheat if it were reactive, thus the kinder,

easier and tolerated diet!

I also wonder if the initial four weeks on the strict diet, was not enough

to clear the kids system of the culprit, so when they had their snack with

the processed contaminants, that would explain why there was no change in

behaviour.

However we found definite benefit and a HUGE change in my son within days of

removing each offender when he was nearly 4. The gluten did however take

longer and was not as obvious as the dairy. I would like to see a different

study with consultation from Autism parents who have done it successfully.

It really shows to me that Dr. G is bang on with his theory that the

processing of the allergens removes most of the negative for sensitive kids.

It is sad to me that this study might discourage people from pursuing not

only the GFCF diet, that was the starting point for many of us with children

diagnosed in the spectrum, but also the proof positive that our children

need biological, medical help.

Lori

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of ElyseG

Sent: May-20-10 5:00 PM

Subject: Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral

Improvement

Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral Improvement

ScienceDaily (May 20, 2010) — A popular belief that specific dietary changes

can improve the symptoms of children with autism was not supported by a

tightly controlled University of Rochester study, which found that

eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no

impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.

The study is the most controlled diet research in autism to date. The

researchers took on the difficult yet crucial task of ensuring participants

received needed nutrients, as children on gluten-free, casein-free diets may

eat inadequate amounts of vitamin D, calcium, iron and high quality protein.

Unlike previous studies, they also controlled for other interventions, such

as what type of behavioral treatments children received, to ensure all

observed changes were due to dietary alterations. Past studies did not

control for such factors. And although no improvements were demonstrated,

the researchers acknowledged that some subgroups of children, particularly

those with significant gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, might receive some

benefit from dietary changes.

" It would have been wonderful for children with autism and their families if

we found that the GFCF diet could really help, but this small study didn't

show significant benefits, " said Hyman, M.D., associate professor of

Pediatrics at Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Rochester

Medical Center (URMC) and principal investigator of the study which will be

presented on May 22 at the International Meeting for Autism Research in

Philadelphia. " However, the study didn't include children with significant

gastrointestinal disease. It's possible those children and other specific

groups might see a benefit. "

In response to widespread parent-reported benefits, URMC initiated the trial

in 2003 to scientifically evaluate the effects of the gluten-free and

casein-free diet, which eliminates wheat, rye, barley and milk proteins.

Parent observation has played an important role in earlier treatment

discoveries in children with autism, such as melatonin's benefits for sleep.

Hyman's study enrolled 22 children between 2 ½- and 5 ½-years-old. Fourteen

children completed the intervention, which was planned for 18 weeks for each

family. The families had to strictly adhere to a gluten-free and casein-free

diet and participate in early intensive behavioral intervention throughout

the study. Children were screened for iron and vitamin D deficiency, milk

and wheat allergies and celiac disease. One child was excluded because of a

positive test for celiac disease and one was excluded for iron deficiency.

Other volunteers who were excluded were unable to adhere to the study

requirements. The children's diets were carefully monitored throughout the

study to make sure they were getting enough vitamin D, iron, calcium,

protein and other nutrients.

After at least four weeks on the strict diet, the children were challenged

with either gluten, casein, both or placebo in randomized order. They were

given a snack once weekly with either 20 grams of wheat flour, 23 grams of

non fat dried milk, both, or neither until every child received each snack

three times. The type of snack was given in randomized order and presented

so that no one observing -- including the family, child, research staff and

therapy team -- knew what it contained. The snacks were carefully engineered

to look, taste and feel the same, which was an exercise in innovative

cooking. In addition, the nutrition staff worked closely with the families

to make a snack that met their child's preferences. Casein was disguised in

pudding, yogurt or smoothies and gluten in banana bread, brownies, or

cookies depending on the child's food preferences.

Parents, teachers and a research assistant filled out standardized surveys

about the child's behavior the day before they received the snack, at two

and 24 hours after the snack. (If the child's behavior wasn't usual at the

scheduled snack time, the snack would be postponed until the child was back

to baseline.) In addition, the parents kept a standard diary of food intake,

sleep and bowel habits. Social interaction and language were evaluated

through videotaped scoring of a standardized play session with a research

assistant.

Following the gluten and casein snacks, study participants had no change in

attention, activity, sleep or frequency or quality of bowel habits. Children

demonstrated a small increase in social language and interest in interaction

after the challenges with gluten or casein on the Ritvo Freeman Real Life

Rating Scale; however, it did not reach statistical significance. That means

because of the small difference and the small number of participants in the

study, the finding may be due to chance alone.

The investigators note that this study was not designed to look at more

restrictive diets or the effect of nutritional supplements on behavior. This

study was designed to look at the effects of the removal of gluten and

casein from the diet of children with autism (without celiac disease) and

subsequent effect of challenges with these substances in a group of children

getting early intensive behavioral intervention.

Hyman said, " This is really just the tip of the iceberg. There are many

possible effects of diet including over- and under-nutrition, on behavior in

children with ASD that need to be scientifically investigated so families

can make informed decisions about the therapies they choose for their

children. "

This study was funded by the NIH's National Institutes of Mental Health

Studies to Advance Autism Treatment Research and National Center for

Research Resources (NCRR).

[Guest guest]

Well, four weeks is hardly enough to count. My son just became casein free at

nearly age 7.

His behaviors dramatically changed.

I will continue the diet.

>

> Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral Improvement

> ScienceDaily (May 20, 2010) — A popular belief that specific dietary changes

can improve the symptoms of children with autism was not supported by a tightly

controlled University of Rochester study, which found that eliminating gluten

and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their

behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.

>

>

> The study is the most controlled diet research in autism to date. The

researchers took on the difficult yet crucial task of ensuring participants

received needed nutrients, as children on gluten-free, casein-free diets may eat

inadequate amounts of vitamin D, calcium, iron and high quality protein. Unlike

previous studies, they also controlled for other interventions, such as what

type of behavioral treatments children received, to ensure all observed changes

were due to dietary alterations. Past studies did not control for such factors.

And although no improvements were demonstrated, the researchers acknowledged

that some subgroups of children, particularly those with significant

gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, might receive some benefit from dietary changes.

>

> " It would have been wonderful for children with autism and their families if

we found that the GFCF diet could really help, but this small study didn't show

significant benefits, " said Hyman, M.D., associate professor of Pediatrics

at Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center

(URMC) and principal investigator of the study which will be presented on May 22

at the International Meeting for Autism Research in Philadelphia. " However, the

study didn't include children with significant gastrointestinal disease. It's

possible those children and other specific groups might see a benefit. "

>

> In response to widespread parent-reported benefits, URMC initiated the trial

in 2003 to scientifically evaluate the effects of the gluten-free and

casein-free diet, which eliminates wheat, rye, barley and milk proteins. Parent

observation has played an important role in earlier treatment discoveries in

children with autism, such as melatonin's benefits for sleep.

>

> Hyman's study enrolled 22 children between 2 ½- and 5 ½-years-old. Fourteen

children completed the intervention, which was planned for 18 weeks for each

family. The families had to strictly adhere to a gluten-free and casein-free

diet and participate in early intensive behavioral intervention throughout the

study. Children were screened for iron and vitamin D deficiency, milk and wheat

allergies and celiac disease. One child was excluded because of a positive test

for celiac disease and one was excluded for iron deficiency. Other volunteers

who were excluded were unable to adhere to the study requirements. The

children's diets were carefully monitored throughout the study to make sure they

were getting enough vitamin D, iron, calcium, protein and other nutrients.

>

> After at least four weeks on the strict diet, the children were challenged

with either gluten, casein, both or placebo in randomized order. They were given

a snack once weekly with either 20 grams of wheat flour, 23 grams of non fat

dried milk, both, or neither until every child received each snack three times.

The type of snack was given in randomized order and presented so that no one

observing -- including the family, child, research staff and therapy team --

knew what it contained. The snacks were carefully engineered to look, taste and

feel the same, which was an exercise in innovative cooking. In addition, the

nutrition staff worked closely with the families to make a snack that met their

child's preferences. Casein was disguised in pudding, yogurt or smoothies and

gluten in banana bread, brownies, or cookies depending on the child's food

preferences.

>

> Parents, teachers and a research assistant filled out standardized surveys

about the child's behavior the day before they received the snack, at two and 24

hours after the snack. (If the child's behavior wasn't usual at the scheduled

snack time, the snack would be postponed until the child was back to baseline.)

In addition, the parents kept a standard diary of food intake, sleep and bowel

habits. Social interaction and language were evaluated through videotaped

scoring of a standardized play session with a research assistant.

>

> Following the gluten and casein snacks, study participants had no change in

attention, activity, sleep or frequency or quality of bowel habits. Children

demonstrated a small increase in social language and interest in interaction

after the challenges with gluten or casein on the Ritvo Freeman Real Life Rating

Scale; however, it did not reach statistical significance. That means because of

the small difference and the small number of participants in the study, the

finding may be due to chance alone.

>

> The investigators note that this study was not designed to look at more

restrictive diets or the effect of nutritional supplements on behavior. This

study was designed to look at the effects of the removal of gluten and casein

from the diet of children with autism (without celiac disease) and subsequent

effect of challenges with these substances in a group of children getting early

intensive behavioral intervention.

>

> Hyman said, " This is really just the tip of the iceberg. There are many

possible effects of diet including over- and under-nutrition, on behavior in

children with ASD that need to be scientifically investigated so families can

make informed decisions about the therapies they choose for their children. "

>

> This study was funded by the NIH's National Institutes of Mental Health

Studies to Advance Autism Treatment Research and National Center for Research

Resources (NCRR).

>

[Guest guest]

Do any of you have a link to the actual study this article references?

It's a very odd story about a " research " study because it doesn't go into any

specifics about the actual study percentages. Also, the mention of the

small test group raises a red flag for me.

Gaylen