Therapeutic Diets and Autism: Discover What Works Best
Kurt N. Woeller, DO, FMAPS | Sunrise Functional Medicine
In recent years, families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have increasingly turned to dietary changes in hopes of improving their children’s health and behavior. Now, a significant new study confirms what many practitioners and parents have observed for years: therapeutic diets can make a real difference.
Published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine, the study—“Ratings of the Effectiveness of 13 Therapeutic Diets for Autism Spectrum Disorder”—was conducted by Julie Matthews, MS (a certified nutritionist and founder of Nourishing Hope), and James Adams, PhD of Arizona State University. The survey gathered responses from over 800 individuals, including parents and caregivers, who reported on how different diets impacted symptoms in children and adults with ASD.
A Comprehensive Look at Diet and Autism
The researchers compared 13 different diets, from the well-known gluten-free/casein-free (GFCF) diet to more targeted protocols like the Feingold Diet, Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), and ketogenic diet. Each diet was evaluated for overall effectiveness, symptom improvement, and adverse effects.
Among the most widely used diets, the GFCF approach led the pack. But surprisingly, some lesser-known diets—like the Feingold Diet—ranked even higher in certain symptom categories, despite being less commonly implemented. The study revealed that dietary changes were generally more effective and had fewer adverse effects than psychiatric or seizure medications and even nutritional supplements.
Key Findings
- Overall benefit score for therapeutic diets: 2.36 out of 4
(Medications scored 1.39; supplements 1.59) - Adverse effect score for diets: just 0.1
(Compared to 0.93 for psychiatric/seizure medications) - Top symptoms improved: attention, cognition, irritability, anxiety, hyperactivity, aggression, constipation, diarrhea, and language/communication
These numbers reinforce what we’ve seen in clinical practice for years at Sunrise Functional Medicine, where we take an integrative and personalized approach to chronic and complex conditions like ASD. For many families, diet is not a fringe concept—it’s foundational.
Not All Diets Work the Same Way
Each therapeutic diet appears to target different symptom clusters. The Feingold Diet, for instance—an elimination diet that excludes artificial additives and certain naturally occurring chemicals—was particularly effective for hyperactivity, irritability, attention issues, and aggression, improving symptoms in 28–45% of respondents.
The ketogenic diet, often recommended for seizure disorders, also showed strong results, particularly for attention, cognition, anxiety, sleep, seizures, and language development. The GFCF diet, which eliminates two common food proteins known to be problematic for individuals with ASD, improved attention, cognition, language/communication, and social understanding in 20–30% of cases.
Other diets, such as corn-free, low-sugar, Paleo, and food elimination diets based on IgG/IgE testing or observation, also demonstrated targeted benefits for symptoms like digestive problems, OCD, tics, eczema, and stimming behaviors.
Personalized Nutrition is Key
What stands out most from this study is that different diets work for different people. This reinforces the need for a personalized nutrition strategy, guided by an experienced professional who understands how diet, digestive health, immune function, and neurobiology intersect in individuals with autism.
As a biomedical autism specialist, I often see how dietary changes can impact neurological function, behavior, and even academic and social progress. At Sunrise Functional Medicine, we work closely with families to determine which dietary approach fits best, sometimes combining elements from multiple diets (e.g., Feingold + Specific Carbohydrate Diet) for optimal results.
Practical Considerations
Some diets, such as ketogenic, are more complex and restrictive, requiring professional support to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Others, like the Feingold or low-sugar diet, may be more manageable for families and still provide excellent results.
It’s also worth noting that symptom tracking can be a useful way to evaluate diet effectiveness. Since certain diets improve specific symptoms, choosing a diet based on your child’s most pressing challenges—whether it’s sleep, anxiety, or GI distress—can help guide the decision-making process.
Final Thoughts
This research offers a hopeful message: therapeutic diets are not only safe and affordable but genuinely effective. They can reduce the need for medications, improve quality of life, and help unlock potential in children and adults with ASD.
At Sunrise Functional Medicine, we see diet as a cornerstone of autism recovery. It’s not a silver bullet—but it’s often the critical first step toward healing the gut, calming inflammation, supporting detoxification, and restoring neurological balance. If you’re exploring dietary interventions for your child with autism, we encourage you to seek professional guidance. A tailored, evidence-informed plan can make all the difference.
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Dr. Kurt Woeller, DO, FMAPS, is a biomedical autism specialist with over 25 years of experience in functional and integrative medicine. He is co-founder of Sunrise Functional Medicine, a telehealth practice dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate chronic and complex conditions with personalized care.