Why Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Diets For ASD Affected Children

One of the most important issues faced by parents having children affected with ASD is eating disorders. This will result in lower gut health thereby affecting the general health of the child. In Ayurveda we manage this gap by suggesting & cultivating healthy food habits for the kids.

A gluten-free/casein-free diet is also known as the GFCF diet. It is one of several alternative treatments for children with autism. When following this strict elimination diet, all foods containing gluten (found in wheat, barley and rye) and casein (found in milk and dairy products) are removed from the child's daily food intake. The benefit of a gluten-free/casein-free diet is based on the theory that children with autism may have an allergy or high sensitivity to foods containing gluten or casein.

Children with autism, according to the theory, process peptides and proteins in foods containing gluten and casein differently than other people do. Hypothetically, this difference in processing may exacerbate autistic symptoms. Some believe that the brain treats these proteins like false opiate-like chemicals. The reaction to these chemicals, they say, leads a child to act in a certain way. The idea behind the use of the diet is to reduce symptoms and improve social and cognitive behaviours and speech.

Autistic children can be notoriously fussy eaters, this diet may be very difficult to implement. Also, some supporters of this diet suggest parents stick with the diet for a year ideally, which can be a long time simply to evaluate this type of intervention.

Cutting any food from one’s diet unnecessarily and without guidance from a dietitian or other medical professional may lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients. There have only been a few scientific studies regarding whether a gluten and casein-free diet is effective for those with ASD. It is important to make sure that the child (or other people) receives ample fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Ayurveda feeding practices and dietary interventions will help your child to have a healthy gut and a healthy brain.

At Jeevaniyam once we adopt these kinds of diet changes and make sure there are no deficiencies for our young patients, the majority of their parents reported significant improvements in various aspects of their child’s wellbeing on a gluten and/or milk-free diet with significant improvements in bowel habits, general health, sleeping patterns, concentration and social communication. 

Melodious Music Therapy To Enhance Skills Among ASD Kids

Autism is a complex disability that affects verbal, cognitive and social abilities of children. It can be generally noticed within three years from child birth.

What is music therapy?

This therapy uses music and makes interactions between the children and teachers to impart specific skill sets. For ASD children music therapy supports the kids with interactive musical activities to improve communication and social skills.

Music is a special medium that enriches happiness among all. Music therapy helps to reduce the emotional stress, enhance memory, and improves communication. The intervention of music among autistic children improves the social behaviour, increases attention, improves communication attempts, improves body awareness, coordination and reduces anxiety, all these has been proved by clinical study and research by Journal of Music Therapy in 2004. The children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) respond well to music.

The idea behind music therapy:

The autistic children can communicate with musical activities such as playing instruments, songwriting, singing and listening to music instead of using words for communication. The therapist uses musical activities to teach new skills to the kids. A music therapist might write lyrics on specific behaviour for an autistic child. Even the therapists can sing the lyrics to the well-known melody of the songs to the kids. The child will be able to grasp the information sung in the song than spoken information.

Music therapy generally involves the following stages:

Assessment: First of all the therapist assesses an autistic child to find the need. Music therapy is often used along with other ASD therapies so that the therapist might consult the child’s doctor or other therapists.

Goal-setting: This is an individualized program based on a child’s need.

Activities: The activities are designed in such a way to meet a child’s individual needs. These could include singing, working in groups, improvising, songwriting etc.,

Evaluation: To ensure the program response, it has been regularly evaluated.

Jeevaniyam Ayurveda Hospital & Research Centre offers cosmic services to the special kids with autism and other disabilities. Our music therapy clinically showed many improvements among special kids.

Visit us: jeevaniyam.in

Mail us: ayurvedajeevaniyam@gmail.com