Narrow food preferences and avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) are common among young children with ASD, as many have oral sensory sensitivity [1][2]. This puts these children at a greater risk for nutrient deficiencies.[3][4]. Thus, elimination or restricted diets must be carefully planned. To date, the evidence surrounding elimination-style diets (e.g., the gaps-diet, gluten-free/casein-free diet, and spec-carb-diet) for improving the core features of ASD have either not been researched or are inconclusive.[5][6]
Do elimination diets help people with autism spectrum disorder?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have narrow food preferences and may be at risk for nutrient deficiencies, which requires careful planning of elimination diets. However, current evidence on the effectiveness of such diets in improving core ASD features is either lacking or inconclusive.