Elimination of Autism Symptoms Using the Specific Carbohydrate Diet: Literature Review and Case Report.
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Numerous publications have documented the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy in alleviating several autism symptoms. This case report reviews the literature and highlights the case of a 4-year-old boy with autism and his improvements following the adoption of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) protocol, which eliminates sugars (except for honey and fruit), grains, lactose, and processed foods. After following the SCD for 17 months, he experienced the elimination of autism symptoms, and his individualized education program (IEP) was dissolved. Long-term follow-up and diagnostic re-evaluation with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) confirmed an ADOS score of zero. The young man is now 19 and is studying in college. While this case and the literature to date are promising, further investigation is warranted to understand the relationship between gastrointestinal issues, intestinal permeability, nutritional interventions, and autism spectrum disorders.
Source: PubMed Central
Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Nova Southeastern University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7152933314