What is the relationship between gluten and autism?

Q: What is the relationship between autism and a gluten free diet?

A: growing body of research shows that certain foods, such as gluten and casein from cow’s milk seem to affect the developing brains of some children and causing autistic behaviors. This is not due to allergy, but to an inability to properly break down certain proteins. Gluten and casein proteins leak into the gut, undigested, and attach to the opiate receptors of the autistic's brain, affecting their behavior. If you suspect that your autistic child may have gluten sensitivity, follow a gluten-free diet for at least 3 months to determine if there is a change in behavior.