Yeast and the Child with Autism

How Do I Know if My Autistic Child is Suffering from Yeast Overgrowth?

Autism is a disorder that affects the mind, leading to slow and improper development of some social or motor skills as the child grows. Some symptoms can be caught in the child’s fetal stages but most families discover their child’s disorder through behaviors that arise as the child reaches toddler age.

While there is no cure in sight and no definite idea of what causes Autism yet, scientists have made strides in trying to help families with Autistic children to increase their child’s brain activity on a biological level to encourage growth through learning techniques and therapies. Several years ago, it was proposed and accepted by scientists and doctors across the nation that an overgrowth of yeast in the both can amplify the symptoms of Autism in children and adults. This overgrowth in the body is harmful in all people but becomes particularly disturbing in regards to Autism as it could be hindering the child’s mental development. Yeast overgrowth is a medical issue common to autism that can cause sleep disturbances, sensory issues, hyperactivity, picky eating, stimming, and more. 

How Do I Know if My Autistic Child is Suffering from Yeast Overgrowth?

Some of the behavioral signs of a yeast overgrowth include:

• ADHD and other hyperactivity
• Issues with Sleep or Night Walking and fatigue
• Random flapping of hands or walking on their toes or increased stimming
• Uncontrollable fits of laughter that have no source
• “Spacey” behavior including inattentiveness and difficulty concentrating
• “Fogginess” or poor cognition

There are also strictly medical signs to watch out for as well:

• Constant or frequent ear, nose or throat infections
• Bed wetting or other accidents
• Foul smelling gas and stools
• Bloated belly and/or gastrointestinal pain
• Constipation
• Signs of yeast on the body such as in rashes or under fingernails or a white tongue
• Constant cravings for food containing high amounts of sugar or carbohydrates

How Do I Decrease the Levels of Yeast in My Child’s Body?

One of main causes of modern yeast overgrowth is a child’s overexposure to yeast at a young age. Prenatal doctors are currently trying to combat this by helping expecting mothers implement a new diet plan that is high in raw nutrients and low in yeast and processed foods.

The constant use of antibiotics is another factor. Antibiotics not only kill the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria that helps the body process yeast safely and naturally.

The best way to combat yeast overgrowth in the body is to safely make changes to the not only the child’s diet but the diet of the family a whole. Focus on eating more fermented foods such as yogurt to increase the amount of good bacteria in the body and keep the yeast at bay. Yeast feeds on sugar. Limiting sugar intake can help prevent yeast overgrowth.

Make sure to contact a medical professional before making any drastic changes. They may be able to recommend alternative treatments or options to help get your child’s yeast levels under control, especially if the child is Autistic as yeast exacerbates the symptoms of Autism and inhibits brain function development.

Additional Resources:

Raising Children Network