Nutritional Approaches in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by various impairments in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors, occurring in the first years of life and continuing throughout life. There are various approaches to treating autism, from psychotherapeutic medications to nutritional supplements. One of the most important approaches is the nutritional therapy approaches. Many problems arise, including food selectivity, food rejection, eating behavior disorder and nutrient deficiencies due to gastrointestinal system problems, which are frequently seen in individuals with autism. The purpose of this study is to examine autism and nutritional treatment approaches and to examine how effective and reliable the recommended diets are, based on the literature.