Autism & Digestion

Autism & the Digestion We have previously shared about our son's picky-eating and how his food preferences affect his digestive system. Crunchy, dry, bland, not mushy, not soft, not cold, not hot are his choices when selecting to eat for any meal---at home or in restaurants. Does your child on the Autism Spectrum have digestion issues? What do you do to resolve them? Have you considered medicine, a pyschologist, massages, yoga or surgery? What has your doctor prescribed, if anything? Do you think it is all pscyho-somatic? Do you know what the DSM IV and upcoming V position is on this issue? Here is an article about ... News> Children with Autism and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Have Altered Digestive Genes Researchers at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and at the Harvard Medical School report that children with autism and gastrointestinal disturbances have altered expression of genes involved in digestion. These variations may contribute to changes in the types of bacteria in their intestines. Many children with autism have gastrointestinal problems that can complicate clinical management and contribute to behavioral disturbances. In some children, special diets and antibiotics have been associated with improvements in social, cognitive and gastrointestinal function. The investigators found that children diagnosed with autism and gastrointestinal disturbances have abnormalities in levels of genes for enzymes that break down sugars and for molecules that transport them from the lumen of the intestine into the blood. These variations were also associated with changes in the bacterial composition of the intestine. September 22, 2011 Children with Autism and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Have Altered Digestive Genes By Autism Society