Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD/GAPS) and Dietary Supplements for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the potential of a specific carbohydrate diet and selected dietary supplements in reducing some autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in children. This was a quantitative, non-blinded, non-randomised three-month pilot study of a dietary and nutritional intervention. The study participants were 17 children from Latvia and the United Kingdom with a diagnosis of ASD or autistic symptoms waiting to be diagnosed (intervention group n = 10, control group n = 7). The intervention group received a specific carbohydrate dietary plan - Specific Carbohydrate Diet / Gut and Psychology Syndrome diet (SCD/GAPS) - and a few dietary supplements (omega-3 essential fatty acids, ascorbyl-palmitate, probiotics, vitamin D, and vitamin C). Family compliance to the dietary guidelines was 40-80%. Autistic and digestive symptoms were evaluated by parents using validated questionnaires. By the end of the study, gastrointestinal symptoms decreased in both groups (p = 0.01 for the intervention group, p = 0.02 for the control group), especially abdominal pain and bloating. The Overall Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) score decreased by 23% in the intervention group (p = 0.05), with the largest improvement in Socialising (p = 0.03) and Health/Behaviour (p = 0.02) aspects. The Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC) score decreased by 29% in the intervention group (p = 0.01), with the largest improvement in Irritability (p < 0.01) and Hyperactivity (p = 0.02) subcategories. Overall Parent Global Impressions - Revised-2 (PGI-2) evaluation showed a 43% improvement in the intervention group in comparison to 14% in the control group, p = 0.02. The specific carbohydrate diet (SCD/GAPS) and supplements were found to be a safe and effective approach for reducing some symptoms of ASD in children.