Autism and the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)

econd diet that has been shown to help withinflammation, and food allergies seen in children
autism that is popular is The Specificwith autism can be corrected using this dietary
Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), developed by Dr.approach and healthy digestion can begin.'
Sydney Haas for the daughter of Elaine Gottschall,The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is based on the
who wrote Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinalprinciple that specifically selected carbohydrates,
Health through Diet. This diet has been shown torequiring minimal digestion, are well absorbed
heal Crohn’s Disease, colitis, diverticulitis,leaving virtually nothing for intestinal microbes to
celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, chronic diarrhea, andfeed on. As the microbes decrease due to lack of
symptoms of autism. The SCD is basically, a stepfood, their harmful by-products also diminish. No
or two beyond the GFCF diet: It is a strictlonger needing protection, the mucus producing
grain-free, lactose-free, and sucrose-free mealcells stop producing excessive mucus and
plan.carbohydrate digestion improved.
Because the Specific Carbohydrate Diet’sThe SCD corrects malabsorption, allowing
goal is to heal the intestinal tract and to rid it ofnutrients to enter the bloodstream and be made
bacterial and fungal overgrowth, it is proving to beavailable to the cells of the body, thereby
a very successful dietary intervention in treatingstrengthening the immune system's ability to fight.
many autistic children and leading them back to aFurther debilitation is prevented, weight can return
life of normalcy.to normal, and ultimately there is a return to
The website further supports the use of the SCDhealth.
with the treatment of autism, summarizing that:The Brain Connection chapter of Breaking the
“Research shows that fungi and bacteriaVicious Cycle, “highlights the research of
in the GI tract cause gastrointestinal problems andmany years in which it had been shown that
neurological problems such as autism. Studies alsovarious neurological problems originate in the
indicate that starches and certain sugars feeddigestive system. And when the number of
these fungi and bacteria. SCD eliminates the foodsautistic children soared within the last two
that feed these microorganisms, starving thedecades, attention has again been directed to the
pathogens so that they leave the body. The childgastrointestinal tract.”
is no longer a hostage to billions of pathogenicNumerous studies cited in Breaking the Vicious
invaders that poison the gut and brain.Cycle, have shown a link between G-I health and
Furthermore, Pamela Ferro, a Nurse in Privateautism and the SCD diet is the first step beyond
Practice in Mattapoisett MA, and a parent of athe GFCF diet in addressing gut health, and along
child on the autism spectrum has treated wellthe way, discovering that the diet, indeed, helped
over 300 children with ASD utilizing biomedicalreduce autistic symptoms and in some cases,
approaches in her clinic. She summarizes how theremove them entirely.
SCD diet, helps children with autism by,It must be noted that for many children, there is
'demonstrating remarkable improvements in bowelimprovement within the first week to 10 days.
function, language, eye contact, self-stimulatoryHowever, others will go through a
behavior, anxiety, and mood. The SCD unlike“detoxification” period and it would
other specialized diets works by removing thebe helpful to find support from other parents who
foods that cannot be properly broken down. Thehave gone through this change.
vicious cycle of malabsorption, maldigestion,