Different Dietary Practices in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined as different neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social communication, restrictive, repetitive, and typical behaviors and interests. Although it is not known precisely how the disease develops, literature reviews see genetic and environmental factors as the leading causes. The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder is increasing day by day. There is no treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder in light of the latest data. The applications made are primarily aimed at reducing stereotypical behaviors. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder often experience gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. In addition, children with ASD also experience food selectivity, restrictive/avoidant feeding disorder, food neophobia, and nutritional problems due to sensory sensitivity. Considering these conditions, it is thought that dietary therapy may also be effective in the symptomatic treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder with the support of studies conducted in recent years.

The Gluten-free Casein-free diet developed for Autism Spectrum Disorder is among the most researched diets. This diet is based on the elimination of foods containing gluten and casein. Although the other diet discussed in this study, the Feingold Diet, was developed initially for Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, it is thought that it may be effective in symptomatic treatment due to enzyme deficiency in children with ASD. However, there are not enough studies on it. This study aimed to examine the effects of the Gluten-Casein-Free Diet and the Feingold Diet on gastrointestinal complaints in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder using the Scale of Eating Time Behaviors in Children with Autism (BAMBI), the Gastrointestinal Sensitivity Index and the Quality of Life Scale for Children. The study was planned to be conducted with 45 children with ASD between the ages of 3-10 registered at the Efeler Autism Life Center affiliated with the Efeler District Municipality of Aydın Province. Therefore, the necessary permissions will be obtained from the Efeler Autism Life Center, and the study will be submitted to the ethics committee for approval. The research data will be analyzed using the SPSS 22 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) program. Numbers and percentage distributions for descriptive feature data; correlation analyses will be used to determine the relationship and analyses appropriate for nonparametric and parametric data between the data.