What is an elimination diet?

An elimination diet involves removing foods containing the proteins gluten, which is found in wheat, or casein, which is found in milk, or both from the diet of a person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Who is elimination diet therapy for?

Anyone with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can go on an elimination diet. There are no age restrictions.

What is elimination diet therapy used for?

Supporters of elimination diets claim that this therapy reduces characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by minimising disruption to brain function. According to the theory, problems with diet and digestion can cause brain disruptions.

Where does elimination diet therapy come from?

In the 1980s and 1990s, it was suggested that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might not digest food proteins very well, especially the proteins casein and gluten.

Based on this theory, certain therapies were developed. First were elimination diets. After some difficulties with these, digestive enzyme therapy was developed as an alternative treatment to help with protein digestion.

What is the idea behind elimination diet therapy?

Our bodies have natural chemicals called ‘opioids’, which have an effect on pain similar to morphine. Some people believe that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is caused by too much opioid activity in the brain.

When the proteins gluten and casein aren’t properly digested, they release chemicals called exorphins. The exorphins can end up in the nervous system – this is sometimes called ‘leaky gut’ syndrome. The idea is that once these chemicals are in the body, they cause an increase in opioid activity, which disrupts the brain and so ‘causes’ ASD.

By eliminating foods containing gluten and casein from the diet, this therapy aims to reduce opioid activity in the brain, thus reducing the characteristics of ASD.

What does elimination diet therapy involve?

This therapy involves completely eliminating from the diet foods that contain gluten, casein or both. The therapy starts with a complete review of the person’s entire diet. There can be some time involved in buying and preparing food for an elimination diet.

Cost considerations

Some cost might be involved in this therapy if you need to buy gluten-free or casein-free food.

Does elimination diet therapy work?

There’s limited evidence to support the use of elimination diets. In addition, there have been concerns about the safety of restricting children’s diets in this way.

Who practises elimination diet therapy?

Although you can do this therapy yourself at home, it’s best to speak with your GP or paediatrician or a paediatric dietitian before starting an elimination diet.

Parent education, training, support and involvement

If your child is doing an elimination diet, you need to choose, shop for and prepare food for the diet.

Where can you find a practitioner?

It’s best to speak with your GP or paediatrician about elimination diets, or consult a paediatric dietitian. You could also talk with your NDIA planner, NDIS early childhood partner or NDIS local area coordination partner, if you have one.