Gastrointestinal health in autism spectrum disorder
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at higher risk of medical issues, and more prone to gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, which can worsen the symptoms of ASD symptoms – significantly affecting their health, learning and development, and impacting their behaviour.
GI issues may include:
food intolerances
constipation
inflammatory bowel disease (IBS/IBD).
The causes of GI disorders can include gut dysbiosis, immune dysfunction, food sensitivities, digestive enzyme deficiencies, and sensory processing differences. Selective eating habits can also lead to unbalanced diets and bring on, or exacerbate GI problems.
Diagnosing GI issues in ASD can be difficult as there are often communication issues and there are a lack of clinical guidelines in this area.
As a parent, you are most likely to notice changes or behaviours in your child which are possibly linked with a GI issue. These include, but are not limited to:
showing unusual postures – hanging over the side of furniture, walking with a bent posture
sleep problems and nightmares
food intolerances – new food reactions or sensitivities. These will often show up as tummy upsets, skin rashes or feelings of nausea
aggressive behaviours
attention issues.
Treating GI disorders has been shown to improve ASD symptoms.
When pursuing any testing with your healthcare practitioners, ensure to look for coeliac/gluten sensitivity – whilst coeliac is not more common in ASD, there is an overlap. Work with your healthcare practitioner if considering removing any food groups from your child’s world, to ensure no further nutrient depletion occurs.
Understanding the nuances of diet and GI health in your child is key to improving outcomes. Dietary management of GI symptoms can improve digestion, nutrient absorption, and appetite by reducing physical discomfort and pain, as well as relieving GI symptoms which will then improve sleep, boost energy levels, and contribute to overall wellbeing, leading to a better quality of life and improved family dynamics.
Reference:
Al-Beltagi M, et al. World J Clin Pediatr. 2023;12(4):171-196.