Autism is a chronic condition that impacts social interaction, language, and communication. Children with autism may also engage in stereotypical/repetitive behaviors.
There are several promising treatment options for children with autism, including, but not limited to, behavior therapy, occupational and speech therapy, play therapy and medication options to manage behavioral symptoms.
Can Dietary Supplements Help with Autistic Symptoms?
Another option that has proven to be very helpful is dietary improvements, through both diet changes and supplementation.
By improving diet through better food choices and choosing specific supplements to address autistic symptoms, you can help your child better manage daily challenges.
In this article, we will explore in-depth the most common dietary supplements used by families with children with autism.
It should be noted that before beginning any type of supplement regimen for your child, it is always important to consult with their pediatrician.
Have a specific supplement you are looking for? Click here - Supplements for Autism.
The Importance of a Healthy Gut for Autism
If you’ve read our article on gut health, you know that gut bacteria has a huge impact on overall health and even behavior for those with autism! It is a diverse makeup of different strains of bacteria, where some are good and some are bad. To improve your child’s gut health by increasing the good bacteria, consider the following:
Probiotics
Many children with autism struggle with gastrointestinal (GI) issues, such as stomach pain, constipation, and diarrhea. There are many hypotheses regarding the cause of these symptoms, including inflammation and abnormal microbes found in the digestive tract.
Gut bacteria found within the GI tract actually act as messengers, sending signals and communicating with different parts of the body, including the brain. It is thought that an imbalance in this bacteria in the gut can have an effect on areas such as mood, attention, stress, and sleep.
More research on the potential causes is needed, however, it is clear that gastrointestinal problems are a common occurrence in children with ASD. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed. Generally, they are found in a supplemental powder form, but they are also found in food such as yogurt.
Probiotics help to improve or restore the balance in the GI tract. The most promising research regarding probiotics and autism has involved animal studies. One rigorous study found that the use of a certain strain of probiotic actually reduced some autism-like behaviors in mice, such as social avoidance and repetitive actions. This research has not been expanded to humans yet, however, it indicates the use of probiotics may be a beneficial supplement for children with autism.
Digestive Enzymes
Another supplement associated with the digestive tract issues found in children with autism are digestive enzymes. Digestive enzyme therapy has been used as a mechanism to remove harmful proteins from the body. These proteins may contribute to some of the digestive issues found in children with autism.
In a randomized control trial involving 100 children with autism, it was found that receiving digestive enzyme therapy for 3 months improved emotional responses and gastrointestinal symptoms. Enzyme therapy may also be combined with probiotic supplementation as a way to further promote digestive health.
Closing Thoughts
After reading about supplements for children with autism, you may be wondering where to begin and what the most effective options are.
There are many promising supplements available on the market for children with autism, however, it can be difficult to sift through the literature in order to determine the best possible treatment approach.
In most cases, only a few studies have been conducted on effectiveness, which often leads to more questions as a parent. The best place to start is with your child’s pediatrician.
Your pediatrician will examine your child’s medical history, current and past behavioral symptoms, and the current course of treatment. After carefully examining these factors, your pediatrician will be able to help you weigh the benefits and risks of certain supplements and determine the proper dosages that may help your child.
The hope is that this article provided you with a thorough overview of the most utilized supplements for children with autism so that you can further work with your child’s doctor to determine the best treatment approach. It might even be a good idea to print out this article and bring with you to your child’s next doctor’s appointment!
If you have seen the benefits of supplementation with your own child, we'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment below to let us know!
