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AUTISM ALERT

Parents of autistic children have long believed there is a link between the bio-neurological developmental disability and certain foods. The scientific community remains skeptical, in part because it cannot even determine the exact cause of the condition itself. Nevertheless, parents talk about how products containing gluten or casein can exacerbate mood disorders or digestive processes. Many have

Parents of autistic children have long believed there is a link between the bio-neurological developmental disability and certain foods. The scientific community remains skeptical, in part because it cannot even determine the exact cause of the condition itself. Nevertheless, parents talk about how products containing gluten or casein can exacerbate mood disorders or digestive processes. Many have reported that eliminating those two substances from the cupboard can help reduce or even eliminate problems.

“A frequent thing moms tell me is that it's like the fog's lifted after they put their children on the diet, like they've been looking at the world through dirty glasses and this cleans them,“ said Carol Ann Brannon, an Atlanta-based registered dietitian and nutrition therapist who works closely with families in creating gluten-free, casein-free diet plans.

Luckily, supermarkets are making the task much easier. The increasing number of dedicated gluten-free sections in many stores — originally designed for adults suffering from celiac disease — has become a destination department for those dealing with autism as well. Parents are also purchasing omega-3 and -6 fatty acids and other supplements that have been shown to reduce symptoms.

Brannon finds that mainstream supermarkets have become extremely valuable as a diet resource, and she has been encouraged by those who go so far as to publish lists of special-needs products, such as gluten-free foods, or those dairy products without the protein casein. It's especially helpful to list the products by brand name, and to format them so they can be printed out and brought as a list to the supermarket, she said. Retailers can also develop more comprehensive cooking and demo programs for these special diets.

“There's nothing worse than spending $6 on a gluten-free product and it ends up tasting awful,” she said. “A lot of the products are expensive. Being able to try them first, even a little, would be helpful.”

The purported link between food and autism was a topic of discussion at the National Autism Conference, held earlier this month. It's also been receiving star treatment via model and actress Jenny McCarthy's new book, “Louder Than Words,” which chronicles her struggles in getting her son Evan evaluated and treated for autism.