Gastrointestinal & Metabolic Comorbidities

Gastrointestinal disorders and associated symptoms are commonly reported in individuals with ASDs, however, it can be difficult to recognize and characterize gastrointestinal dysfunction due to the communication difficulties experienced by many affected individuals.

Emerging research is aimed at developing recommendations for diagnostic evaluation and management of gastrointestinal problems for individuals on the spectrum. Valicenti-McDermott, 2006, evaluated children with ASD and two control groups matched for age, sex and ethnicity (one with non-autism-related developmental disorders, and the other developmentally normal).  There were 50 children in each group – findings concluded:

• 70% of the children with ASD had GI Issues compared to 42% of the children with developmental disorder other than ASD
• 28% of children with typical development.

Just like everyone else, people with autism may suffer:

• Gastritis
• GERD
• Colitis
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Constipation
• Motility-based disorders
• Food allergy and sensitivity
• Overgrowth syndromes

Food allergy in this population is common – food allergy can affect any site in the GI tract. Research points to the following food allergy prevalence rates in children:

• 5-8% of neurotypical children without autism (Sampson, 1999) suffer  food allergies
• 36% of autistic children (Lucarelli, 1995) suffer food allergies

If your child complains of stomachaches, or if he/she adopts unusual positions to put pressure on his/her lower abdomen, try to identify underlying conditions when possible.  Baseline testing might help identify factors such as infection, allergy or food sensitivity, and evidence for constipation.

Additional Expert Insight

Timothy Buie, M.D – Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children

Mark Korson, M.D – Tufts Medical Center