7 Steps to Intestinal Health in Autism Spectrum Disorders

In almost all children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), there is intestinal dysfunction, making it crucial to restore the health of the digestive system as it significantly impacts their overall health and progress. The conditions that most often affect children with ASD include: intestinal hyperpermeability (“leaky gut syndrome”), malabsorption, enterocolitis, liver detoxification problems, fungal and bacterial overgrowth,  sulfation deficits, reflux esophagitis, chronic gastritis, chronic duodenitis, and low intestinal carbohydrate digestive enzyme activity.

All of the intestinal abnormalities found in autistic children can substantially compromise their digestive function, which in turn interferes with their ability to properly process foods and results in significant nutrient deficiencies. Some of the most common vitamin and mineral deficiencies in ASD children include zinc, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin B6. These deficiencies, along with food sensitivities, environmental chemical exposures, and heavy metal toxicity, lead to many serious neurological, immunological, and other systemic issues. Truly, the digestive system should be the fundamental starting point in a comprehensive approach for ASD.

A comprehensive program in healing the digestive issues of those with ASD should include at the minimum, these seven factors:

1. Removal of Intestinal Pathogens: including yeast/fungi (Candida and other species), bacteria (Clostridia, Klebsiella, Helicobacter, etc.), viruses, and parasites. The presence of these pathogens can lead to inadequate digestion, malabsorption of nutrients, and constipation or diarrhea, along with intestinal permeability, or “Leaky Gut Syndrome”.

2. Restoration of Proper Digestive Function. Among the most common of these problems seen in autistic children are deficiencies in digestive enzymes and imbalances in the pH of the stomach and intestines.

3. Re-Establishment of Normal Intestinal Flora. Extensive research has shown that therapeutic doses of multiple-strain probiotics on a rotational basis in ASD children is incredibly effective.

4. Repair of the Intestinal Lining.

5. Correction of Nutritional Deficiencies. Gluten and Casein elimination, among many other nutritional interventions, is a critical piece in restoring digestive health to ASD children.

6. Strengthening of the Intestinal Immune System.

7. Enhancing  the Detoxification Pathways by Supporting Liver Function.

Some of the more obvious digestive tract signs of distress in ASD children can include:

• Abdominal pain, cramping, or discomfort (this may manifest in behaviors such as crying or screaming, holding the abdomen, pointing to the abdomen, or wanting to lie in a fetal position) Problems with reflux or excessive burping

• Vomiting or spitting up food

• Abdominal bloating, especially after meals

• Excess gas

• Chronic constipation and/or history of fecal impaction; hard, dry stools

• Toe-walking (often indicative of constipation)

• Chronic diarrhea

• Foul-smelling stools

• Undigested food in stools

• Mucous in stools

• Abnormal consistency of stools (i.e. “oily”

• or “foamy” stools)

• Rectal itching, burning, or apparent discomfort when passing stools

 Problematic reactions to foods

• Gluten and/or casein sensitivity

• Food allergies and intolerances (may manifest with dark circles or puffiness under the eyes, redness of the cheeks or ears, chronic post-nasal drip, headaches, skin rashes, asthma, environmental allergies, attention deficit, and behavioral problems)

• Reactions to phenols and/or salicylates in foods

Past history

• Significant history of colic in infancy

• Poor immune function with history of frequent infections, including ear, throat, and respiratory infections

• May also have an overactive immune response, as in allergies or autoimmune conditions

• History of fungal infections, such as thrush, diaper rash, or skin rashes

• History of sensory defensiveness, including sensitivity to sounds, lights, tastes

Prescription drugs and immunizations

• Frequent use of antibiotics in infancy and childhood

• History of adverse reactions to antibiotics, including diarrhea, thrush, diaper rash, or other abdominal problems

• Immunizations in the child, including adverse reaction(s) to immunizations and/or the onset of developmental delays shortly following immunization

• Maternal history of immunizations during pregnancy, including RhoGAM shots

Some of the supplements to consider with your clinical nutritionist or functional healthcare provider include:

• Probiotics

• Digestive Enzymes

• Amino Acids

• MSM

• EFA’s

• Magnesium Baths

• Reduced L-Glutathione

• Beta 1,3/1,6Glucan

• Cranberry Extract

• Aloe Vera

• Biotin

• Oregano

• Caprylic Acid

• NAC

Overall it is incredibly important that the nutrition program for children with ASD be carefully planned. In general, children with ASD tend to be very limiting in their food choices. They often crave fried foods and carbohydrates, eat insufficient amounts of protein and fiber, and refuse to eat any fruits or vegetables. They may avoid specific foods because of texture, color, or taste. Many times, cravings for and fixations on certain types of food are actually the result of allergies to those very same foods. It is not uncommon that people crave the very foods that they are allergic to, and with ASD this is no exception.

While it can be a daily struggle for many parents to get their children to eat a healthier, more well balanced diet, most kids will gradually begin to lose their food cravings and dietary “pickiness” as their intestinal tract is healed. Many parents have found that after a period of focused protocols for leaky gut syndrome, their children have been willing to eat a much greater variety of foods than before.