An autism diagnosis is becoming increasing common. In fact, the latest statistics reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that the average increase in autism between the years of 2002 to 2006 was a whopping 57 percent. While these general statistics are simply an average taken from among the 11 specific, geographical areas the CDC looked at, the numbers were much higher than they expected. Theories for the rise vary among professionals, but the CDC feels these numbers make autism spectrum disorders “an urgent public health concern.”
Autistic Individuals Often Have Secondary Conditions
This urgency has caused the medical profession to place the various autism syndromes inside neat little boxes of signs and symptoms. These boxes do not always work out well because an individual rarely has only autism spectrum disorder. Although autism is a neurological problem, autistic individuals may have one or more secondary conditions:
- learning disorders
- sensory processing disorder
- celiac disease
- gluten ataxia
- yeast overgrowth
- inflammatory bowel disease
- allergies or food sensitivities
These additional issues contribute to an autistic child’s symptoms, behavior problems and overall health status making it difficult to diagnose exactly what’s wrong. As a result, many parents of autistic children have turned to various autism diets in hopes of improving behaviors, digestive problems and mental functioning. While these dietary approaches carry no official, scientific backing when associated with autism, problems such as Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) do exist as a separate issue.
What is Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS)?
One of the more popular dietary therapies among parents of autistic children is Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride’s GAPS approach. Gut and Psychology Syndrome is a term that Dr. Campbell-McBride uses to describe the results that occur when gut flora becomes compromised, abnormal or imbalanced. Since gut bacteria nourishes the lining of the intestines, digestive health is dependent on the bacterial condition of the gastrointestinal system.
When a baby is born, their gastrointestinal tract is sterile. During the birthing process and over the next few days, the mother’s bacteria and a little from the environment populate the child’s gastrointestinal system. This initial colonization affects the baby’s health, growth and brain development. This is one reason why the mother’s nutritional intake and health habits during pregnancy are so important. Not only does a mother feed her baby while the baby is in the womb, but she passes her own intestinal health status on to the baby during birth.
The bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract are a mixture of pathogenic and beneficial bacteria. These microbes are involved in digestion and energy production. Starches, sugars and proteins are broken down in the intestinal tract through enzymes created by these bacteria. They also play a major role in immune system function.
Gut bacteria stimulates the production of antibodies needed to fight off infection and harmful invaders. They coat the intestines to protect the body from toxins and create anti-virus, anti-fungus and anti-bacterial substances. They help to heal intestinal damage. In addition, beneficial microbes work to keep the pathogenic bacteria in balance.
GAPS Affects Many Body Systems
Without a well-balanced colony of bacteria, individuals cannot digest food nutrients properly. They cannot absorb vitamins and minerals, so they end up malnourished. These resulting nutritional deficiencies can affect many body systems:
- skin coloring
- brain function
- the neurological system
- the immune system
- sensory processing
- blood cells
- body organs and systemic functions
- behavior
In Campbell-McBride’s clinical experience, most individuals with autism, other neurological disorders, allergies, food sensitivities, and learning and developmental disabilities have Gut and Psychology Syndrome. This includes celiac disease.
Dr. Campbell-McBride is also of the opinion that the current rise in autism rates comes from gut dysbiosis (abnormal intestinal bacteria), but sees the problem as generational and specifically resulting from food processing. By taking the necessary steps to overcome the gut dysbiosis passed to the child from the mother and restoring nutritional status, Campbell-McBride believes that restoring proper digestion through her GAPS diet can eliminate all food intolerances and provide the nutritional support necessary for other autism therapies and treatments to be more effective.
Sources
Campbell-McBride, Natasha. Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, A.D.D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D., Depression, Schizophrenia. Cambridge, U.K.: Medinform Pub., 2010.
Converse, Judy. Special-needs Kids Eat Right: Strategies to Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum Focus, Learn and Thrive. New York: Penguin, 2009.
Rice, Catherine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders --- Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, United States, 2006." (accessed December 7, 2011)
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her child's health should contact a doctor for advice.
Vickie Ewell - Vickie has worked with autistic individuals for 9 years. She has celiac disease and specializes in gfcf living.
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