Autism and Milk Proteins

I have been reading a lot online about Autism and its possible link to milk proteins. I would really like to see some more research on this. I never even thought about it until my daughter (just turned 1 year old) was diagnosed with having a milk allergy. I understand that often a milk allergy can be genetic, then I started thinking about my son who has been diagnosed with high functioning autism *(possibly Asperger's)...suddenly I found myself wondering if there could be a link with the milk. My thoughts were more on the side of the increased hormone injections throught the years into cows and the coincidentally high increase in the number of children with Autism. I thought for a moment that I might be off my rocker, but when I Googled it, I found quite a few sites that talk about proteins and their lack of breaking down, etc....

So...I just wanted to put it out there as something I would like to see more on and also as something I will be researching more myself. I would also like some opinions...my daughter, of course, is drinking a soy milk - what do you think, should I switch my son to soy and see what happens?

I still lurk on the GCGF group list. I KNOW casein affects my son...I try to limit what he gets, but can't afford a separate diet. Gluten is like crack! Let this boy get into the loaf of bread! Anything more than a couple of slices & he's whacked out & agressive as all heck! Read ANYthing by Lisa Lewis & Karen Seroussi (sp).

Wonder if my having to be on goats milk due to a "universal food allergy" has anything to do with the Lion's sensitivities?

Thanks, I will check out those authors. You know, the more I google the more I read about milk...it is astonishing how much they link it to...there are even sites that talk about vaccines, milk, and autism...how it all goes together...like not just one cause but how the MMR has been linked to a breakdown in intestinal lining and the milk proteins are absorbed quicker into the body because of it...I just read, I am not expert, but it is all very interesting...

I should note that I am one who believes that genetics, environmental factors, and possibly vaccinations all COMBINED play a part in Autism...

What is the GCGF group list?

Hi Becki! I just wanted to provide a link to the info we have on special diets on the IAN Community for our readers. It's at: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/what_do_we_know/special_diets

In the meantime, if you decide to eliminate certain substances from your child's diet, you may want to work with a professional (perhaps a nutritionist) who can guide that process. For example, parents eliminating milk may need assistance finding other ways to provide the nutrients their child used to get via milk products.

Looking at preliminary data from IAN Research, Casein and Gluten Free diets are the 10th and 11th most common interventions being used by parents participating. It will be important to see if parents using the diets continue to use them over time, and what they report about their experience.

Thanks, Connie!

We have an appointment next week to talk with his doctor about this and I will be looking at the information on that link as well.