Evidence lacking for special diets in autism

CHICAGO (AP) - An expert panel says there's no rigorous evidence that digestive problems are more common in children with autism compared to other children, or that special diets work.

By: Carla K. Johnson Associated Press Medical Writer | WNCT
Published: January 04, 2010

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CHICAGO (AP) - An expert panel says there's no rigorous evidence that digestive problems are more common in children with autism compared to other children, or that special diets work.
That's contrary to claims by celebrities and vaccine naysayers.
The panel's report is being published in the January issue of Pediatrics and is being released Monday. It says painful digestive problems can trigger problem behavior in children with autism and should be treated medically.
Autism is a spectrum of disorders affecting a person's ability to communicate and interact with others.
More than 25 experts met in Boston in 2008 to write the consensus report after reviewing medical research. The Autism Society and other autism groups funded the effort, but gave no input.
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