UCLBS News

We’d like to announce the immediate release of the overviewof the study, “Specific Carbohydrate Dietary Trial:Understanding the Effectiveness of a Specific CarbohydrateDietary Intervention In Autistic Children.”
A pdf of this article is available at http://www.dream-big.us/.
Jeff and Brian

——————

Jeffrey A. Trelka
Brian S. Hooker, Ph.D., P.E.

Specific Carbohydrate Dietary Trial: Understanding theEffectiveness of a Specific Carbohydrate

DietaryIntervention In Autistic Children
Jeffrey Allen Trelka1, Brian S. Hooker2
1901 Celery Ave., Algona, WA. 98001
2503 South Young Place, Kennewick, WA 99336

Running Title: SCD & AUTISM

Corresponding Author:
Jeffrey Allen Trelka901 Celery Ave., Algona, WA.98001
Phone: (253) 833-3617
FAX: (253) 833-3617

ABSTRACT

Background: There is strong evidence supporting theories which purport that genetic connections may increase risks for autism, but the etiopathology of autism has remained undefined. In recent years, studies have focused on a diet-autism axis in an attempt to better understand nutritional contexts of autistic behavior and learning. Studies have shown that some autistic expressions may be ameliorated with a gluten free/casein free diet. A Specific CarbohydrateDietary intervention has become increasingly popular among parents of autistic children, while medical physicians have become increasingly concerned for these children’s nutritional health. Specific Carbohydrate Dietary interventions have not been scientifically evaluated.

Objective: Based on claims that the Specific CarbohydrateDiet ameliorates autistic behaviors and heals chronic gutissues, the purpose of this project is to understand theSpecific Carbohydrate Diet’s effectiveness in ameliorating autistic expressions, i.e., both behavioral andphysiological.

Design: Physiological and behavioral signs were observed in 2 children with autism. Based on the abnormal physiological and behavioral profiles, targeted dietary intervention trials using a Gluten Free/Casein Free Diet followed with a Specific Carbohydrate Diet were initiated in both autistic children.

Results: These autistic children showed significantly less behavioral and physiological problems during the SpecificCarbohydrate Diet than during the Gluten Free/Casein Free intervention. These results are consistent with the claims related to a Specific Carbohydrate Dietary intervention.

Conclusions: Based on the results of observed behavioral and physiological changes during the adherence of a SpecificCarbohydrate Dietary intervention, we hypothesize that theSpecific Carbohydrate Diet does ameliorate autistic expressions in some autistic populations.

Key Words: autistic disorder, autism, nutritionalintervention, SCD, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, GF/CF, GlutenFree/Casein Free

Acknowledgements: Statement of Author Contributions:1. Jeffrey Allen Trelka: Study design, study coordinator,data collection, interpretation of data, manuscript writing2. Brian S. Hooker, Ph.D., P.E.: critical review,interpretation of data, manuscript writing

None of the authors have any financial conflict of interest to report.

Comparison of changes observed between each intervention.

	Gluten Free/Casein Free Student A	GlutenFree/Casein Free Student B	Specific Carbohydrate DietStudent A	Specific Carbohydrate Diet Student B
Improved Behavioral Changes	Less Stimming Began to speak for the first time since regression More vocabulary (echo) Improved eye contact	Loss of Self-mutilating behavior Loss of Constant stimulating behaviors	No dietary self-limiting No fetal positioning No night waking Loss of autistic gaze Less tantrums More words & clearer speech More aware of environment Greater imitation skills Greater self-control / less hyperactive Loss of head-banging Less screaming & crying More social More helpful Greater imagination	No dietary self-limiting No fetal positioning No eye covering Significantly less night waking Loss of autistic gaze Less tantrums More aware of environment Not biting others Less screaming & crying More initiating More verbalizing Smiles & laughs appropriately
Improved Physiological Changes	Diarrhea decreasedfrom approx. 7 per day to only 1 per day	Diarrhea decreased from approx. 7 per day to only 1per day	No food induced eczema Solid Stool Less abdominal distention No Panda eyes Loss of foul body odor	No food induced eczema Solid Stool Less abdominal distention No Panda eyes Loss of foul body odor
Deteriorating Behavioral changes	Self-limiting diet	Self-limiting diet
Deteriorating Physiological Changes

References
Adams, L., & Conn, S. (1997). Nutrition and Its Relationship to Autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 12, 53-58.

Autism Research Institute. (2003-2004). Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) Internet Scoring Program. Referred at: http://autism.com/atec/

Bricker, D. (Ed.). (2002). Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System for Infants and Children (AEPS) (2nded.). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.

Eikeseth, S., Smith, T., Jahr, E., & Eldevik, S. (2002).Intensive Behavioral Treatment at School for 4 -7 Year Old Children with Autism. Behavior Modification, 26(1): 49-68.

Jacobson, M., & Schardt, D. (1999). Diet, ADHD and Behavior: A Quarter – Century Review. Washington, D.C.:Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Gottschall, E. (2002). Breaking the Vicious Cycle:Intestinal Health Through Diet. Baltimore, Ontario:Kirkton Press Ltd.

Horvath, K., Papadimitriou, J.C., Rabsztyn, A., Drachenberg,C., Tildon, J.T. (1999). Gastrointestinal abnormalities in children with autistic disorder. TheJournal of Pediatrics, 135(5), 559-63.

Koegel, R., Schreffirnan, L., Good, A., Cerniglia, L.,Murphy, C., Koegel, L. (2003). How to Teach Pivotal Behaviors to Children with Autism: A Training Manual.Retrieved August 1, 2003, from the University ofCalifornia, Santa Barbara: http://www.users.qwest.net/%7Etbharris/prt.htm

Knivbserg, A., Reichelt, K., Nodland, M., & Hoien, T.(1995). Autistic Syndromes and Diet: a Four Year Follow-Up Study. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research,39, 223-236.

Knivbserg, A., Reichelt, K., Hoien, T., & Nodland, M.(2003). Effect of a Dietary Intervention on Autistic Behavior. Focus On Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 18(4), 247-256.

Pangborn, J., & Baker, S. (2002). Biomedical Assessment Options for Children With Autism and Related Problems:A Consensus Report of the Defeat Autism Now!S cientific Effort. Autism Research Institute. SanDiego, CA.

Reichelt, K. (1990). The Effect of a Gluten Free Diet on Glycoprotein Associated urinary Peptide Excretion in Schizophrenia. Journal of OrthomolecularMedicine, 5, 223- 239.

Rimland, B. (1988). Comparative Effects of Treatment on Child’s Behavior. Autism Research Review International, 2(4).

Sallows, G., & Graupner, T. (2001). Replicating the UCLA Model of Intensive Behavioral Treatment for Young Autistic Children: Results After Three to Four Years. Presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), San Diego, CA., November 2001.

Seroussi, K. (2002). Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder: A Mother’s story of Research and Recovery. New York, NY: Simon &Schuster.

Shattock, P., & Savery, D. (1997). Autism as a Metabolic Disorder. Autism Research Unit, School of Health Sciences. University of Sunderland, Sunderland, SR2 7EE,England.

Shaw, W. (2002). Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD.Lenexa, KS: William Shaw, Ph.D.