Unfortunately they don't give any references. They didn't say which studies they looked at about GFCF diet effectiveness, and they didn't say who did the studies on intestinal changes.
I just got a pamphlet with the official Norwegian government recommendations about GFCF diets for children with autism. I don't intend to pursue the diet (my son got a metabolism test that I believe ruled out the need for it), but I was curious what the government committee would have to say. The recommendations might appeal especially to those of us who are conservative and generally prefer to stick to mainstream medicine.
The brochure says that studies of the effectiveness of GFCF diets are few and of varying quality, so they can't recommend the diet but don't dismiss it either. They acknowledge that there is enough basis for some people to consider trying it.
They recommend the following steps:
1) Get a physical.
2) Consult a nutrition specialist to evaluate current diet and get advice on how these foods can be replaced by GFCF foods. GFCF foods tend to have less protein, calcium, fiber, and B-vitamins than regular foods, so supplements might be necessary.
3) Do a test for celiac disease before starting the diet (I get the impression that the test will be invalid if done while on a GF diet).
4) Consider how a strict diet will work for the child and the whole family. How will you be able to handle a new source of conflict ("no, you can't eat that" and then maybe the child starts sneaking food). How will you be able to handle new limits on your social life (hard to eat out)? Might the diet worsen your child's food issues/aversions and skepticism towards new foods? Do you have time to prepare special foods? Will the whole family eat GFCF foods?
5) Consider the financial impact of buying more expensive GFCF foods.
6) Seek information through autism organizations, but also organizations with expertise on other problems affecting diet (like milk allergies and celiac disease).
7) Plan how to evaluate the diet's success. Keep a diary.
8) Cooperate with daycare and school in implementing and evaluating the diet.
9) Implement slowly, focusing at first on just one meal-type. I'll use the example of breakfast. After several days (or more) practice with GFCF breakfasts, work on another meal-type and then another until you have a completely GFCF diet.
10) Stay in contact with the doctor and nutritionist (to make sure the child follows a good growth curve, among other things).
P.S. The brochure mentions studies of intestinal membranes in children with autism compared to healthy children, children with allergies, and children with chronic stomach and intestinal infections. Results show that children with autism have unusual changes in their intestinal membranes that are completely different from known immune reactions in the intestines. I would certainly like to know more about this.
Were the studies done on classically autistic kids or did they include PDD-NOS and Aspergers? How young were the children? Could the fact that MOST kids on the spectrum have very limited diets have actually affected their intetines, physically, before they were even tested? Cart and horse effect.I wish the United States government cared enough about us to print up a nice brochure like that. Oh wait, we don't even have health care.America's health care system stinks. Special diet's are hard here in our family cause other's give Daniel what ever he wants. They do the same with our daughter also. Inlaws spoil these 2 regardless of what we say. Only grandkids. Both sides. I know special diet's help some but not all. Supplements same thing. Eventually they will snick the food someway.Norway Mom - thanks again for sharing this info. I haven't done ny specific diet with Lachlan but I am always interested in what people are doing - I love having as many options available as possible.
You are gem!
Mysh
I hear that candida/leaky gut can effect the gi tract also. It can't process correctly.GCFC diet is tax deductable.
In general, Norway is incredibly generous with government support for various health issues and treatments (I didn't pay a dime for a 6 day hospital stay when I gave birth), but GFCF diets are considered experimental here and do not qualify for any deductions or support. You can only get money for it if you have a diagnosis of celiac disease.