Autism and the SCD Diet

A lot of parents with autistic children have tried the GFCFSF (Gluten free, Casein free, Soy free) diet with little/no results, thus they give up.  A strict diet is hard to maintain in a world where processed food is so much more convenient.  Especially for families that are already stressed and low on time.

But, the latest research supports SCD as the best diet for Autism.  Pamela Ferro, a Nurse in Private Practice, and a parent of an autistic child states:  "Children with Autism who are implementing SCD are demonstrating remarkable improvements in bowel function, language, eye contact, self-stimulatory behavior, anxiety, and mood."  She has treated well over 300 children with ASD utilizing biomedical approaches in her clinic.

Research shows that fungi and bacteria in the GI tract cause gastrointestinal and neurological problems. Studies also indicate that starches and certain sugars feed these fungi and bacteria. SCD eliminates those foods to starve/kill-off the harmful fungi and bacteria.

Many autistic children have yeast overgrowth in their gut, which lives/feeds on sugar or simple carbohydrates.  More information can be found on this TACA (Talk About Curing Autism) website.

Out of the 25 symptoms listed for yeast overgrowth, we are seeing 14 of them in our 4 year old son:

• Inappropriate laughter
• “Foggyness”
• Inattention
• Hyperactivity
• Anger, aggression
• Increased self-stimulatory behavior
• High-pitched squealing
• Increased sensory defensiveness
• Climbing/jumping off things
• Sugar cravings
• Confusion
• Inability to potty train, or loss of this skill
• Self-limiting Foods
• Plateauing in skills 

While we intend on having our son tested soon for allergies (blood test) and yeast overgrowth (stool test), I suspect that he NEEDS to be on this diet.  He is currently only eating hamburger/hotdog buns, crackers and finely shredded cheese.  The survival of yeast depends upon sugar. The yeast can actually initiate a craving for sugar or starch, thus the self-limiting of certain foods.  The habitual use of sugar for short-lived bursts of energy can also perpetuate sugar cravings.  In addition, if we are allergic or intolerant to a food, that intolerance may come along with an uncontrollable desire to eat that food. That is especially true of foods that create either a stimulating or sedating effect when we eat them.

More information on the SCD diet and autism can be found at www.pecanbread.com.  The website provides scientific based research, as well as tips and recipe's to get started on the diet.

Based on the "starting out" recipe's, you will need the following ingredients, all of which can be purchased at Target or Walmart.

KNOX unflavored gelatine

100% grape juice in a jar/bottle

Broth

Eggs, eggs, eggs and more eggs

Apples

Bananas

Avocado

Chicken (whole and ground)

Squash
Carrots
Coconut oil
Parchment Paper