Dietary Support for Children with Autism and AD/HD

Written by Melissa Sokulski, M.Ac.
From The Birch News July/August 1995-2007 Newsletter

There are two dietary systems which we have come across that are making huge differences in the lives of children with autism, ad/hd, or other autistic spectrum disorders. They are the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, made available to parents in Elaine Gotschall’s book, “Breaking the Vicious Cycle,” and the Body Ecology Diet, created by Donna Gates.

Both diets highlight the importance of the gut-brain connection, and state that a healthy gut, or digestive system, is the key to healthy brain function and healthy living.

Many children with autism and autistism specturm disorders have impaired digestive function, which can present as constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, food sensitivies, etc. These children often also have a history of antibiotic use (perhaps from chronic ear infections when young). The theory is that the antibiotics upset the healthy flora (bacteria) in the gut, and allowed yeast, fungus, unhealthy bacteria and even parasites to take over. The yeast especially grow right into the intestine wall, creating holes which then allow larger pieces of incompletely digested food into the system, creating allergies, sensitivities and other symptoms, known as leaky gut syndrome. This is why many children do better on a wheat (or gluten)-free and dairy (casein)-free (GFCF) diet. But both these diets feel GFCF does not go far enough in actually healing the gut.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) limits the diet to simple carbohydrates. The child may eat fruits, vegetables and honey, but no sugar and no complex carbohydrates like grain (including bread, pasta and rice) or milk. The simple sugars in the fruits, vegetables and honey are absorbed easily into the system and do not stay in the gut for the unhealthy flora to feed on. The healthy flora is then replenished by homemade yogurt, which most parents make from goat milk, rather than cow milk. The yogurt must set for 24 hours to completely eliminate all the lactose, a complex carbohydrate. Meats and fats in general are allowed on this diet. For more complete information, food choices and parent support, see the website www.pecanbread.com. (The web name “pecanbread” comes from the fact that parents grind pecans, rather than wheat, to use as flour for breads, pancakes and in other foods.)

The Body Ecology Diet (BED) has similar premise, but a different execution. This diet also strives to heal the gut by re-establishing healthy flora, for the same reasons. On this diet, though, all fruits and sweets, which are thought to feed yeast, are eliminated. The diet itself is based on Donna’s background with macrobiotics and food combining. The only grains allowed are millet, quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth. And the flora replenishing ingredients are kefir (a fermented beverage) made with young coconut water and homemade cultured vegetables (sauerkraut), made without salt. More information and parent support can be found at www.bodyecologydiet.com.

Melissa and Dave at the Birch Center are available for consultations about either diet, help with shopping, meal planning and other guidance. Email them at BirchCenter@gmail.com.