Dear Lauren,

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First, let me tell you what a wonderful aunt and sister you are to be thinking of every which way to include your nephew at your Thanksgiving table, expand his emotional experiences and in fact, try to help him overcome his autism. The gluten free/casein free diet (the elimination of wheat and dairy products) is based on the idea that gluten and casein produce substances (peptides) in the intestine that are not fully processed by children with autism and therefore are transmitted to the brain, leading to imbalances in neurotransmitters (Whitely & Shattock, 2002).  There are some preliminary data to suggest that elimination of gluten and casein from the diet of autistic children may reduce symptoms (Lucarelli et al. 1995). More recently, Elder et al. (2006) reported positive symptom reduction in a small double-blind trial of gluten free/casein free diet.  But overall, the claim by some parents that this diet cures autism has not been supported by scientific research.

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Additionally, a literature search found no published studies assessing the safety of a gluten free/casein free diet. As you suggest with your nephew, because many autistic children already have limited diets based on their sensory aversion to certain types and textures of foods, eliminating milk products, for example, potentially runs the risk of inadequate intake of protein, calcium and other essential vitamins in the diet, and there is preliminary evidence that a gluten free/casein free diet is associated with a decrease in bone density (Brudnak et al, 2002; Hediger et al. 2005). Families who are considering utilizing the diet should seek counsel from a nutritionist and perhaps an occupational therapist that specializes in feeding problems to ensure that they are providing adequately for their child’s nutritional needs.

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In regards to helping your nephew tolerate more foods, I can suggest several strategies;

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1) Introduce new foods very gradually. Sometimes unpopular foods can be hidden in other foods if you, for example, blenderize to mask both the taste and texture of the novel product or add the new food to a source that he already likes, for example, a milkshake or cookie batter.

2)  For some children, varying the way in which the food is presented may be the trick. Sometimes freezing pureed vegetables into popsicles may make them more interesting!

3) Children are often delighted to try foods that they have been involved in preparing. Make up a set of index cards illustrating how to prepare for example, spaghetti, and then put them in order, in a notebook or on a ring. If a child is not yet reading create photos of the child getting the spaghetti box out of the cupboard, getting the pot out, and putting water in it, etc.

4) You might also try involving your child in grocery shopping to try to spark his interest in new foods. I suggest making a visual shopping list ahead of time. Use a digital camera and make photographs of the actual items the child will need in the store. You can then put these onto a shopping list using Velcro tabs. This special list can help the child shop with you in the store while you are doing the shopping. Start with very simple foods and gradually increase the complexity as time goes on. Besides getting him to consider other food options, you are encouraging adaptive behaviors and important community and daily living skills.

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Most importantly, have fun this holiday with your nephew, let him know how much you enjoy his company, meet him at his developmental level (which may mean the lowering your expectations of what he will or will not eat) and who knows, this year may just be the year of the pumpkin pie popsicle-Bon Appetite!