Autism spectrum disorder is a range of developmental disabilities that affects how people communicate, think and behave. As children grow older with autism, they become more difficult to manage due to their unpredictable behavior patterns. However, there are some helpful dietary supplements that can help reduce the severity of symptoms associated with autism. Here’s what you should know about them now:
The “autism supplements for speech” is a list of 5 dietary supplements that have been found to help with autism.
If your kid has autism, they may have difficulty eating from an early age. According to certain medical research, food-related behaviors such as aversions, strong preferences, and rituals might all be signs that your kid has autism. These behaviors arise shortly before most children are diagnosed by a physician, which often occurs between the ages of 2 and 4 years old.
To deal with your child’s eating issues, you’ll need to consult with a physician and a behavior therapist. Because GI disorders are frequent in persons with autism, your child’s doctor can assess whether gastrointestinal issues are driving any of these dietary challenges.
You may add a nutritional supplement or two to your child’s diet to aid them in the short term.
Autism, Gastrointestinal Struggles & Behaviors Around Food
Autism is a developmental disease that manifests itself in a variety of ways, the most of which are related to behavior, communication, socializing, and cognition. Struggles with eating are another symptom of autism. Autism is marked by food aversions, preferences, and mealtime routines, particularly in young children.
Around the age of two, parents may observe significant changes in their child’s eating habits and dietary choices. Many autistic children refuse to try new meals, give up baby food, or discontinue breastfeeding. Food issues may be linked to behavioral habits, so working with a behavior therapist might help the kid modify his or her attitude toward food and eating.
According to another study, children with autism have gastrointestinal difficulties, therefore some food avoidance may be due to physical pain that the kid is unable to communicate to their parents or caregivers. A basic medical examination with a physician may assist identify whether your child’s eating habits are physiological in nature.
What Dietary Supplements Can Do for You
As your kid develops, you’ll probably figure out which foods they don’t enjoy and which they can’t consume because of their gut health. You may add nutritional supplements to your child’s meals to ensure that they receive the finest nutrition possible. Stunted bone and muscle development, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes may all be reduced with these vitamins.
Vitamin and nutritional supplements will not cure autism, but they will feel better if you assist your kid remain physically fit and happy by feeding them a well-balanced diet. Improved overall well-being may help them lessen some of their maladaptive behaviors while also encouraging good ones.
The Top 5 Dietary Supplements for Autism Relief
Your kid may show indications of being a fussy eater before you realize he or she is on the autistic spectrum. They may reject certain meals, most often fruits and vegetables, but also foods with certain textures or presented at specific temperatures. You may find it difficult to encourage them to try new meals at the same pace as their neurotypical friends.
Some of your child’s eating issues will make more sense if he or she has been diagnosed with autism. You may attempt a variety of methods to assist them in obtaining a healthy diet and overcoming feeding difficulties.
Many parents use nutritional supplements to ensure that their children get a well-balanced diet. These supplements may aid in the reduction of digestive issues as well as the improvement of general health. As the child’s physical condition improves, his or her behavior may improve, making it easier for them to accept new items into their diet.
The following are the most often suggested dietary supplements for autism:
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Proteases, which assist in protein digestion, lipases, which aid in fat digestion, and amylases, which aid in carbohydrate digestion, are all included in over-the-counter oral digestive enzyme supplements. In certain circumstances, when the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes on its own, a doctor may administer them. To maintain overall gut health, more individuals are beginning to use OTC digestive enzymes at lower amounts. Your kid’s doctor may offer over-the-counter digestive enzymes to assist your child safely digest gluten and casein, two common proteins that seem to be challenging for individuals with autism to digest.
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Essential fatty acids, often known as omega-3 fatty acids, are necessary digestion chemicals that your body is unable to produce on its own. These acids are naturally present in a range of foods, including fish, flax seeds, and canola oil. Because this kind of fatty acid is beneficial to digestion, there are a variety of nutritional supplements available to enhance your diet. Supplements are beneficial for persons who are unable to consume adequate fatty acid-rich diets due to allergies, inability to digest proteins or other fats, or dietary aversions.
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Glutathione is an antioxidant that is made up of three distinct amino acids. Unlike other antioxidants, glutathione may be produced by the liver, therefore it is not obtained only via the consumption of food or supplements. This antioxidant aids in the formation of DNA, proteins, and cells, as well as the breakdown of free radicals, the regeneration of vitamins C and E, and the removal of mercury from the brain. The supplement may assist to minimize the risk of Parkinson’s disease by reducing cell and liver damage, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing ulcerative colitis damage, and lowering cell and liver damage. In 2011, a study found that oral glutathione supplements might help certain children with autistic symptoms, but the researchers did not do extended follow-ups to check whether the symptoms improved after the trial. More investigation is required.
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Probiotics: These supplements promote the growth and replenishment of gut microorganisms. Although bacterial infection is associated to a variety of disorders, your body need certain kinds of bacteria to sustain key functions, including digestion. Children with autism may have difficulties with their gut flora, or the bacteria that dwell in their intestines, partially due to dietary selectivity and partly due to developmental abnormalities that put them at risk of having an unbalanced gut flora. Preventing or decreasing diarrhea, Crohn’s disease symptoms, urinary tract infections, ulcers, and even dermatitis in some children are all possible advantages of using OTC probiotics.
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Vitamin B12 is present naturally in certain foods, but you or your kid may not consume enough of these foods to get the benefits of B12. B12 is an essential chemical in neurological health since it is required by the brain to promote cognition. It is also necessary for the formation of red blood cells and DNA. Eat fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and milk products to obtain enough naturally occurring B12. Children with autism, on the other hand, may be allergic to casein, a milk protein, and may refuse to consume some of these other foods due to texture sensitivity. Without forcing your kid to consume a meal they despise, a vitamin B12 supplement may guarantee that your child receives enough of this vitamin for brain and organ health.
Improving Your Child’s Long-Term Behavioral Health by Supporting Their Short-Term Health
In a recent meta-analysis of 27 studies, 1,028 children with autism were randomly assigned to receive either a nutritional supplement or a placebo tablet. Actual dietary supplements seemed to operate better in improving certain symptoms, according to the study. The supplement group consisted of:
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Language skills have improved.
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Improved social abilities.
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Repetitive habits are reduced.
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Attention spans are longer.
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Irritability levels are lower.
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Reduced issues with behavior.
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More restful slumber.
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Communication abilities have improved.
Overall, the research revealed that a better diet was linked to fewer autistic symptoms and better overall performance. The trials were unable to determine how or why this happened, simply that the supplements seemed to be beneficial.
While there are few scientific studies on how effectively vitamin, mineral, and digestive supplements aid children with autism, including them in your child’s diet may be beneficial.
When it comes to eating concerns, it’s a good idea to consult with a behavior therapist. Your child’s therapist can assist them in developing good habits that encourage them to try new meals and eat a broader variety of foods.
Consult your child’s physician before adding any supplements to their diet. Before utilizing a supplement, be sure it’s of good quality and that it’s been approved by a physician.
References
The “dietary supplements for autism” is a list of the 5 best dietary supplements to help with Autism.
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Janice is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Special Education. She also holds a Master of Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) from Queen’s University, Belfast. She has worked with and case managed children and youth with autism and other intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in home and residential setting since 2013.
