A popular dietary approach that caregivers of children with ASD adopt is a gluten-free, casein-free diet, but the current evidence for this diet appears to be lacking. The specific carbohydrate diet has also been a suggested dietary intervention for ASD, but the evidence for its efficacy is also limited. The gaps-diet is based on a 2004 book and implicates certain foods, dysbiosis (an imbalanced microbiome), and “leaky gut” in the development of ASD but this diet has never been formally researched. Food selectivity has been associated with ASD, so it is important that parents work with their pediatrician or a dietitian to make sure their child’s nutritional needs are being met.[1]
How could diet affect autism spectrum disorder?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often consider dietary approaches like gluten-free, casein-free diets and the specific carbohydrate diet, but evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. Additionally, food selectivity in ASD highlights the importance of consulting with healthcare professionals to ensure proper nutrition.