My long awaited research project on Pre-conception and Prenatal Strategies Towards Prevention of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Holistic Nutritional Practices for Parenting the Child with ASD (Shelton, L. 2018) is finally available on Research Gate. To view my research in its entirety please click VIEW RESEARCH. You can also view a handout of this research by clicking HANDOUT.
Abstract
Background: Literature review suggests nutritional intake, proper folate utilization, clean environment free of air pollution or toxic exposure, and minimizing stress levels in mothers, are all contributing factors towards a heathy pregnancy and normal child development. Nutritional intake, avoidance of certain foods, and supplementation are important for children and especially those with ASD. Dietary elimination of food allergies and food sensitivities, including inflammatory foods, may help to reduce core conditions of ASD in a subpopulation. Specifically, following a gluten free and casein free (GFCF) diet, and avoiding artificial food colors and additives, may further help to ameliorate conditions in many children on the spectrum.
Objective: This study examines pre-conception and prenatal strategies towards prevention, or reducing the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pregnancies, as well as holistic nutritional practices for parenting the child with ASD.
Methods: Carried out in multiple phases, phase I will study nutritional approaches used for children with ASD, and effectiveness of nutritional approaches in reducing core symptoms of ASD though survey/questionnaire and interview. Phase II will implement holistic health coaching and nutritional recommendations for future parents, from pre-conception through pregnancy, to support a normally developing child while reducing the risk of a child developing ASD. Additionally, implementation of nutritional guidance for families with children on the autism spectrum. Families will be followed for many years. Pre and post questionnaires and surveys, interviews, chart notes and observations will be analyzed and compared. All analysis will be combined for interpretation of patterns, what patterns mean, conclusions, recommendations, and next steps.
Results: Results from phase I of this study brought in parent and practitioners responses, 13 respondents representing 15 case study children with ASD reported on the part one survey regarding nutritional approaches. Of the 15 total, 12 case studies, or 80%, suffered from gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, 10, or 67%, were following specific dietary approaches, however, 11 indicated benefits from dietary approaches. Case studies generally found multiple behavior benefits from dietary approaches, 10 reported improvements in social reciprocity, 6 reported improvements in nonverbal communication, 7 reported improvements in relationships, 9 reported reduction in restrictive/repetitive behaviors, 9 reported reduction in sensory issues and sensitivities, and 9 reported reduction in GI complaints. Other benefits reported included remission from epilepsy seizures, increased ability to withstand change, try new things, and be flexible, overall health and wellbeing. Of the 15 case study children, 14 or 93% report they are utilizing nutritional supplements, and of these, 7 reported improvements in social reciprocity, 5 reported improvements in nonverbal communication, 9 reported improvements in relationships, 6 reported reductions in restrictive/repetitive behaviors, 10 reported reduction in sensory issues and sensitivities, and 7 reported reductions in GI complaints. Of the 15 case studies, 3 reported having utilized detoxification strategies, and 2 of the 3 indicated benefits from detoxification. On the questionnaire part two regarding effectiveness of nutritional approaches, 8 respondents representing 9 case study children with ASD reported. The questionnaire effectiveness scale range was 1 = poor/minimal, 2 = fair, 3 = moderate, 4 = good, and 5 = very/excellent. Out of 9 case studies, the gluten free casein free (GFCF) diet was rated by 4 case studies, the mean was 2.75, median 3.00, and mode 3.00. The Feingold diet was rated by 3 case studies, and the mean was 2.67, median 2.00, and mode 2.00. The gut and psychology syndrome (GAPS) diet was rated by 4 case studies, and the mean, median, and mode were all 2.00. The allergy free diet was rated by 3 case studies and the mean, median, and mode were all 5.00. The sugar free diet was rated by 5 case studies, the mean was 3.40, median 3.00, and modes 3.00 and 5.00. Overall effectiveness of nutritional supplements was rated by 7 case studies, mean 3.29, median 4.0 and mode 4.0. Vitamin B12 supplements were rated by 4 case studies, and the mean was 3.25, median 3.0, and mode 3.0. Vitamin B6 were rated by 4 case studies, the mean was 2.75, median 2.5, and mode 2.0. Magnesium supplements were rated by 4 case studies, the mean 2.75, median 2.5, and mode 2.0 Folate was rated by 5 case studies, the mean 3.4, median 3.0, and modes 2.0 and 5.0. Sulfurophane was rated by 4 case studies, the mean 3.0, median 2.5, and mode 2.0. Zinc was rated by 5 case studies, the mean 4.0, median 5.0, and mode 5.0. EPA/DHA omega fatty acids were rated by 7 case studies, the mean 3.86, median 5.0, and mode 5.0. Probiotics were rated by by 6 case studies, mean 4.67, median 4.5, and mode 5.0. Enzymes were rated by 3 case studies, the mean, median, and mode were all 5.0. Multivitamins were rated by 8 case studies, the mean 2.38, median 2.0, and mode 1.0. Effectiveness of detoxification strategies was rated by 3 case studies, the mean 2.67, median 3.0, and mode 3.0.
Conclusion: Dietary approaches and supplement utilization can have ameliorating effects on some individuals with ASD. Findings in this phase I study provide additional support for the use of nutritional dietary approaches and supplement utilization for subpopulation treatment of children with ASD recognizing each child’s unique individuality. It is crucial that replication of this phase I study and future studies combine all survey and questionnaire items into one clickable survey link for consistency of respondents on all questions as this will lead to increased information gathering from respondent reports. Additionally, this study indicates the importance of further investigation into nutritional approaches and the cumulative and synergistic effects between use of multiple dietary approaches combined with multiple supplements. Individual biomedical approaches are geared towards reducing core conditions of ASD, and shine potential towards prenatal prevention, or reducing the odds, of a child developing autism spectrum disorder.