CNN posted an article today, Study: Gluten-free diets do not improve autism behavior, written by Trisha Henry, CNN Medical Producer. "Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center in upstate New York put the gluten- and casein-free diet to most stringent test today, according to lead author Dr. Susan Hyman."
The study involved 14 children diagnosed with autism. The study claims that their results prove that changing an autistic child's diet will not improve their behavior. These conclusions are based on putting 14 children on the diet for four weeks, and then giving them a casein and gluten food item.
I'm not sure what irritates me the most about this study. Is it that they did a study with 12 children and make this claim on that basis or that CNN is reporting it as a fact that should be accepted by everyone.
I'm not a scientist, but I do know that the results of one,very small research study is not enough to make assumptions of this magnitude. In my opinion, presenting this study's results as fact will do a lot of harm in the autism community. The fact that CNN has reported on it will also hurt our community, too.
This study has also been reported on by other major news sites on the internet. I think this is a very detrimental study and I am disappointed in the news organizations that are reporting on this. They are legitimizing this study. This is a study that only had 14 children participating. This is a study that excluded children with gastrointestinal issues. Then, it turns around and says that the diet doesn't help children with autism. I ask you this. How many children were turned away from this study because of allergies or gastrointestinal problems?
The study involved 14 children diagnosed with autism. The study claims that their results prove that changing an autistic child's diet will not improve their behavior. These conclusions are based on putting 14 children on the diet for four weeks, and then giving them a casein and gluten food item.
I'm not sure what irritates me the most about this study. Is it that they did a study with 12 children and make this claim on that basis or that CNN is reporting it as a fact that should be accepted by everyone.
I'm not a scientist, but I do know that the results of one,very small research study is not enough to make assumptions of this magnitude. In my opinion, presenting this study's results as fact will do a lot of harm in the autism community. The fact that CNN has reported on it will also hurt our community, too.
This study has also been reported on by other major news sites on the internet. I think this is a very detrimental study and I am disappointed in the news organizations that are reporting on this. They are legitimizing this study. This is a study that only had 14 children participating. This is a study that excluded children with gastrointestinal issues. Then, it turns around and says that the diet doesn't help children with autism. I ask you this. How many children were turned away from this study because of allergies or gastrointestinal problems?
