The number of children that are diagnosed each year with autism continues to grow. Each child diagnosed is different from the next and no one is ever quite sure what causes autism as each case appears differently. As of now, there is no cure, but as the research continues several autistic families are finding natural ways to improve the symptoms.

There are a few ways you can improve symptoms of autism naturally, meaning without drugs. The diet is the first and easiest way to start. You can approach this by going the dietary supplement way or the by getting rid of certain foods. For some families success has been gained by taking out wheat or other gluten products out of a diet. This would include breads, some kinds of oils such as soybean and canola, and other flours. With a growing concern for the foods we all put into our bodies there are several resources available for you to use in gluten free cooking. You could try a site such as www.glutenfreecookingschool.com

Another food that families find success with, by getting rid of that is, is dairy products. Milks, cheeses, yogurts, etc. Of course by taking out two very large parts of a regular diet you should probably consult a nutritionist to make sure you are still giving your child everything he/ she needs that would be in the products you are getting rid of. To know exactly what foods are going to make a difference in their diet you will have to take the time to experiment, but there are many great alternatives that you can find to most dairy and gluten products, just check out your local grocery store that has an organic/ natural/ gluten free section.

If their dietary intake doesn’t make a difference in symptoms you can try to add some nutrients to their diets. Because some nutrients may not exist in the food they are currently receiving, or because they have a poor absorption of the nutrients this could make a huge difference in their behavior. Two of the best nutrients found to improve autism symptoms are vitamin B6 and magnesium. In proven studies (http://www.autism.com/treatable/form34qr.htm), it is shown that both dietary supplements and different diets have made huge changes in autism better than most drugs. This is great news because it means that you have a better chance of improving your child’s quality of life by using their diet than a prescription pad.

Everyone has their own opinion on the treatments to use for autism. If you do not agree with your doctor or do not feel that your child is being taken care of the right way, you should consult someone else for a second opinion.

Not all autistic children need medication and for many the symptoms can improve with other vitamins, nutrients and diets. The down side is it takes a bit longer to go through and find something that works out of all the available options for diet and supplements.

By researching the symptoms your child shows you may be able to reduce this time and get better results faster, you can also get help from your local support group or online forum, as these too may decrease the amount of time you need to spend doing trial and error.  It can take a lot of time to see significant improvements, but the earlier you start, the better your chances, and in the end it will be well worth it.

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