Introduction
Gluten Free Casein Free (GFCF) is an elimination diet of gluten (found in wheat flour, barley, and rye) and casein (found in milk and dairy products). In some cases children with autism are sensitive or allergic to foods containing dairy (casein) and gluten and may experience behavioral issues such as, hyperactivity, temper tantrums, problems with eye contact, and speech skills. It is believed that some of these behaviors are reactions to the discomfort of digestive problems due to gluten and casein. The GFCF diet has reported improvement in children's behavior, social, speeches and learning skills. If you notice some of the symptoms mentioned above you should seek advice from your doctor about starting a GFCF diet.
Related Sites
Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Role of Gluten and Dairy Description: A five minute video by Dr. Vikki Petersen presenting a study done on GFCF diet with children on the Autism Spectrum and the impact it had on their health.
The GFCF Diet Intervention - Autism Diet Description: This website is a free resource to help parents and caregivers implement the GFCF diet properly.
Books
Tools
Parent Forums/Blogs
Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.
Forum/Blog Name: GFCF Community Bulletin Board Description: You may click on your state and find support groups of parents implementing a GFCF diet.
Forum/Blog Name: GFCF Recipes Description: Welcome to the recipe and support group for those needing to cook a gluten-free, casein-free diet, and sometimes multiple others free (corn, soy, artificials, etc.). Parents needing cooking support, food questions and who want to swap recipes for all kinds of GFCF cooking. Plain and fancy, snacks and family dinners. All are welcome.
Consumer Corner
Community Library
Gluten- and Casein-free Dietary Intervention for Autism Spectrum Conditions Description: The authors examine evidence suggestive that a gluten- and casein-free diet (GFCF) can ameliorate core and peripheral symptoms and improve developmental outcome in some cases of autism spectrum conditions.
Autism and the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free (GFCF) Diet Description: This article apprises families about current research regarding the GFCF diet, and help them determine whether it is best suited to their child and family lifestyle.