Diet and Supplementation Targeted for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

This chapter seeks to discuss diet and supplementation and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as it relates to nutritional health, assessment of nutritional health, empirical evidence, GI disorder impact on ASD, support for those considering these types of intervention, and the future direction of this field. Our goal is to acknowledge the following realities: (1) nutrition is important; (2) current research does not support dietary interventions as a specific cure for ASD; (3) individuals with ASD are at significant risk of food-related comorbidities; (4) overall physical, emotional, and behavioral health can be improved by addressing these food-related comorbidities; (S) families are willing to try what is available and will need guidance to match interventions and evaluate intervention efficacy; (6) well-aware clinicians can offer this guidance; and (7) research is constantly evolving our understanding of how food is related to ASD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)