Autism Spectrum Disorder: Interventions Discussion 2022

Running head: AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: INTERVENTIONS
AUTISM SPECRUM DISORDER: INTERVENTIONS: GLUTEN FREE CASEIN
FREE DIET
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1AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: INTERVENTIONS
Introduction
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) implies a range of complex neurological and
behavioral conditions affecting the development of children at the age of 2 to 3 years (American
Psychiatric Association, 2019). Children with ASD are generally with difficulties pertaining to
behavior, social interaction and communication (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019). The
Gluten-Free Casein-Free (GfCf) diet is currently garnering scientific support as a beneficial
treatment for ASD symptom management. The following paper will critically analyze current
evidence on the efficacy of the GfCf diet in ASD.
Discussion
Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet (GFCF)
According to Autism Canada, a GfCf diet comprises of avoidance of foods contributing
to the consumption of wheat (gluten) proteins and milk (casein) proteins in the diet and hence, is
devoid of casein containing milk and associated dairy products like cheeses, yoghurt, milk based
beverages or fermented milk products along with gluten containing grain and grain products like
wheat, oats, rye and barley. Such an elimination diet is considered to administer beneficial
behavioral impacts on children with ASD symptoms (Autism Canada, 2019).
As researched by Jarmołowska et al., (2019), the underlying theory postulated in support
of the above evidence is that ASD children possess difficulties in gastrointestinal functioning,
which limit their ability metabolize gluten and casein resulting in debilitating digestive
symptoms and hence the associated discomfort and behavioral difficulties. Additional theories
emphasize towards ‘casomorphines’ – by-products of protein digestion which have been

2AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: INTERVENTIONS
evidenced to administer symptoms like confusion, restricted social interaction and reduced
reception and perception of pain in ASD children. Considering the same, a GfCf diet has been
recommended for ASD children to provide relief from gastrointestinal symptoms and the
associated issues in behavior, socialization and cognition (Delgado et al., 2017).
The associations between a GfC diet and the underlying mechanisms of the Microbiota-
Gut-Brain-Axis (MGBA) and hence, digestive processes in children with ASD have been
evidenced by Cieślińska1, Kostyra1 and Savelkoul (2017). The authors examined that the
digestion and metabolism of gluten and casein result in the secretion of small peptides like
casomorphins and gliadorphins. Such peptides overcome the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB), and
administer symptoms similar to those exerted by opioids like disrupted social interaction,
attention and maturation in the brain of autistic children. The research by Cieślińska1, Kostyra1
and Savelkoul (2017), further indicate that autistic children possess an altered gutmicrobiota as
compared to their non-autistic counterparts. Increased colonies of microbial species of
Lactobacillus and Clostridium found in the feces of autistic children have been evidenced to
contribute to alter the metabolism of catecholamines and serotonin resulting in altered
neurotransmitter metabolism and the associated symptoms of disrupted cognitive, social and
behavioral aspects in children with ASD.
Considering that a diet rich complex carbohydrates and proteins are primary sources of
energy and growth for gut microbial strains and that its associated metabolic products of short
chain fatty acids (SCFA) can alter intestinal membrane integrity (‘leaky gut’) and aggravate
ASD symptoms, authors Cieślińska1, Kostyra1 and Savelkoul (2017) hence postulated that an
elimination GfCf diet, free from gluten and casein can perpetrate the symptomatic effects and
peptide-like productions by diverse gut microbiota in ASD children, and hence, mitigate