title: Parents' and child health professionals' attitudes towards dietary interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) use a wide range of interventions including poorly evidenced dietary interventions. To investigate parents' and professionals' experience of dietary interventions and attitudes towards a proposed trial to evaluate the gluten free casein free diet (GFCFD). Survey of U.K. parents of children with ASD, and professionals. 258 parents and 244 professionals participated. 83 of children had received a range of dietary manipulations; three quarters of professionals have been asked for advice about GFCFD. Respondents identified an inadequate evidence base for dietary interventions in ASD and suggested modifications to a proposed trial design. Both parents and professionals supported the need for further evaluation of dietary interventions in ASD.
authors.affiliation: Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, SO16 9QX, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Winburn
authors.forename: Jenna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Charlton
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McConachie
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McColl
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parr
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Hare
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gringras
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Le Couteur
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000178:diet therapy*; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires