With 30 years of data supporting growing evidence that dietary intervention is an effective treatment for autism, all too often we hear \u2026<\/p>\n
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- My doctor says there\u2019s nothing to this diet thing.<\/li>\n
- My kid never has diarrhea so he\u2019s not a candidate for the diet<\/li>\n
- That diet\u2019s too hard.<\/li>\n
- My kid is picky. I don\u2019t want him to go hungry.<\/li>\n
- My child could never live without pizza!<\/li>\n
- I\u2019m afraid I\u2019ll make too many mistakes \u2013 and then it will be my fault.<\/li>\n
- The school simply won\u2019t do the diet.<\/li>\n
- I don\u2019t want to manipulate their nutrition.<\/li>\n
- Children need milk!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
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<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Dietary intervention is frequently a component of an evidence-based medical approach, and there is some empirical evidence that special diets help some individuals with autism. This resource includes references, resources, and links for learning more about potentially effective, evidence-based treatments.<\/p>\n
Remember:<\/strong> Medical treatments might not be as effective if the diet is not sound, so overcoming these challenges is a crucial first step in meaningful intervention.<\/p>\n
Remember also:<\/strong> Your child is an individual. And the only way you are ever going to learn if this is an effective intervention for him\/her is to give it an honest trial. Most experts agree that a strict trial of at least three months is needed to determine if a special diet will help. If there are no improvements after three months, you can feel confident that you have made a good try without a major financial investment.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Pitfall #1: Listening to Scoffers<\/h4><\/div>
Solution:<\/strong> Historically, many doctors have scoffed at the idea that diet, food additives, sugar, etc. can affect behavior. They believed that there was no supporting scientific evidence. During 2008, this turned a corner, when the American Academy of Pediatrics recognized and published the change.<\/p>\n
They now admit,\u201c\u2026we might have been wrong…\u201d This statement, made by the editor of AAP Grand Rounds, refers to the article \u201cADHD and Food Additives Revisited\u201d by Alison Schonwald. Read online<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Thousands of parents throughout the world have placed their children on special diets and have observed dramatic improvements. You can begin to educate yourself on these dietary options through your own reading and research.<\/p>\n
ARI has more than 80 free webinars on nutrition and autism. Access them HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n