<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Some research and anecdotal evidence indicates a gluten-free diet will be beneficial to some autistic children in seeing improvement in bowel functions and behavior. Autism Resource: The Autism Network for Dietary Intervention publishes a newsletter. Send $20 for 4-issue newsletter to ANDI, P.O. Box 17711, Rochester, NY 14617-0700. Their web page is located at www.AutismNDI.com. The issue I have was sponsored by Miss Robens, known well for gluten-free foods and mixes. The ANDI newsletter is written by the women who published the Special Diets for Special Kids ($24.95). This book has lots of recipes and ideas. One theory this organization espouses is that gluten & casein in autism may not be properly metabolized and result in excess peptides which can be confirmed through a urine test by Shaw's lab. The excess peptides then interfere with the normal brain functioning by producing excess opiads/opiates, which explains why the kids can be desensitized to pain, live in a daze, have difficulty concentrating & staying on task, etc. The other theory is that the immune system overreacts to these peptides and goes into overdrive. One of our members said "My autistic=92s son's ear infections vanished when we took him off of milk. He has been gluten free for the last three months and we have seen the dark circles under his eyes lighten up, cognitive gains, and better focus. It does take several months for the body to process out and recover. They recommend staying on the GF/CF diet a year to see full benefits. The celiac gluten free information is so helpful and I am so appreciative of all you've done and shared. There is a new listserv started for families with an autistic member who are doing the GF/CF diets. It is: http://www.onelist.com, and the name of the list is GFCF Kids. It's just a little over a month old now." Janet, Houston Celiac-Sprue Support Group Celiacs Helping Celiacs [log in to unmask]