Autism is one disease where there is a very high ‘inherited’ component. In studies with genetically identical twins, if one twin has it, the odds of another having a diagnosis is about 60%. But not all this is ‘in the genes’ since we share the same ‘environment’ as our siblings.

Perhaps the more interesting question is why the number of children diagnosed with Attention-deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders classifying them as ‘neurodivergent’, has rocketed in both the UK and US. One in six children is ‘neurodivergent’ as autism numbers quadruple. The graph below shows US figures. These parallel UK figures (see here) which show that just under 1.5 million pupils in England have special educational needs which is one in six children. Autism is the biggest part of this, has been steadily rising in both the Uk and US.

“Now, one in six children in the US are classified as neurodivergent and one in 36 as autistic – a fourfold increase in 20 years.” says pediatric Professor Alessio Fasano from Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Harvard Medical School.  

According to Dr Rona Tutt OBE, past president of the UK’s National Association of Head teachers “There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people being diagnosed with ASD. Although some of this is due to a broader definition of autism as well as better diagnosis, it raises the question of whether it may also be the result of environmental changes, which have also been dramatic.” 

Some UK schools are reporting as many as one in four children having problems.

Since the genes cannot have changed this rapidly, the increase points to the influence of environmental factors of which there are many candidates. The main suspects are:

Gut problems
Wheat, milk and sugar
Vaccines
Environmental anti-nutrients and toxins
Social media overuse and social issues
Maternal nutrition and brain formation essential fats 

World-renowned pediatric gastroenterologist, and research scientist Professor Alessio Fasano, MD, directs the Center for Celiac Research and Treatment at Massachusetts General for Children thinks something is going wrong in the gut, with many ASD children reporting gut problems including diarrhoea, constipation, belching and excessive flatulence and ‘dysbiosis’ – abnormal patterns of gut bacteria. In some children, wheat and milk may contribute to these symptoms. His research finds that neurodivergent children show high levels of ‘zonulin’, a family of proteins that regulate the barrier between intestinal cells in the digestive tract that can lead to “leaky gut.” ASD children are often found to have opioid-like wheat and milk proteins in their urine, making these foods especially ‘addictive’.

Professor Michael Crawford, who heads the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital says “We can predict which babies are going to have developmental problems from the fats in the mother’s blood. When omega-3 levels are low, the mother produces a non-functional ‘brain fat substitute’ to build their baby’s brain during pregnancy, high levels of which predict problems. The brain is 50% fat, and omega-3 DHA should make up most of the structural fat in brain cells.” Less than 5 per cent of children in the UK achieve the basic dietary recommendations for omega-3 and fish.

Vitamins may help. ‘A high level of homocysteine, a marker for B vitamin deficiency, predicts ASD and studies have shown that giving homocysteine-lowering vitamin B6, B12 and folate help reduce symptoms.” says Patrick Holford from the Food for the Brain Foundation, which is hosting the masterclass. “Vitamin A improves eye coordination and vision, helping those with autism who don’t look you in the eye and have visual problems.”

A 12-month randomised controlled trial giving omega-3, vitamins, digestive enzymes and a healthy gluten-free, casein-free diet showed major improvement in both autistic symptoms and raising IQ.

Nutrition and functional medicine therapist Anne Pemberton, who specialises in helping those with ASD, is also speaking at the conference, reports considerable success, not just by improving nutrition but by addressing the psychological and social circumstances of neurodivergent children. “It is critical to work with both mother and child, and not only address critical nutritional issues, stress triggers including early life traumas, and suppressed emotions as a result of their condition and conditioning, and to help them develop a sense of self and mindset. I have seen hundreds of children and adults who usually have major improvements. Peter, age 8, is a case in point. He was diagnosed with ASD and classified as needing special education. 15 months later he’s no longer even classified as ASD.”

So, as you can see, there are many layers to Autism and Neurodivergence. This is why we are running an in-depth Masterclass with some of the aforementioned experts so that you can learn how to support your own brain or those around you who experience this.

This masterclass is perfect for practitioner, parent, caregivers or anyone who wants to understand more about this area.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE MASTERCLASS

The summer holidays can be a great time to get kids into the kitchen and kick-start long-term healthy eating habits. We’ve picked three easy recipes that you can have fun recreating at home with the little ones. Our Head of Nutrition, Alice, also shares her thoughts on their brain-boosting properties. Post your best creations on Instagram and tag us @foodforthebrainfoundation.

Sweet Potato Quiche

Ingredients:

4 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into thin rounds (the rounds should be thin enough to bend easily)

5 eggs, beaten

2 cups fresh spinach

10 slices of sundried tomato, chopped

1 red onion, sliced

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tbsp fresh chives

Olive oil

Method:

Preheat your oven to 200°C. Arrange the potato slices in a pie dish in a circular pattern to form a “crust” for the quiche. Drizzle the sweet potatoes with olive oil and season to taste. Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Warm some olive oil in a skillet over a medium heat and add the garlic and onion. Cook until the onion and garlic are soft and fragrant, around 5 minutes.

Add in the spinach. Sauté until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes, and set aside to cool down. When the sweet potatoes are done, lower the oven heat to 375 F.

In a bowl, combine the beaten eggs with the spinach mixture, sundried tomato and chives.

Pour over the sweet potato crust, and place in the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the eggs are set; serve warm.

Alice adds: Sweet potatoes, spinach and red onion are a rich source of antioxidants, which may help to support brain health by reducing the effects of oxidative stress on the brain. Eggs are great for increasing protein and are also a good source of vitamins B6 and B12, folate and choline, which are essential for keeping tiny brains energised throughout the day, as well as supporting a biochemical process called methylation, which is vital for mental and neurological wellbeing. 

Chocolate Crunchies

Ingredients:

100g good quality dark chocolate, broken into rough chunks

2 tbsp tahini or unsalted hazelnut butter (from health-food stores)

2 tsp ground cinnamon

50g oats

50g mixed unsalted nuts, roughly chopped

50g desiccated coconut

50g pumpkin seeds

A good tbsp of ground or cracked flaxseeds (linseeds)

Method:

Melt the chocolate then stir in the tahini. Place ten paper cake cases on a baking sheet. Mix in the dry ingredients until evenly coated then spoon into the cake cases and chill until set.

Alice adds: Kids love chocolate and the above recipe is a luxurious chocolate fix, which also packs a nutritional punch. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc, which is important for increasing levels of GABA and modulating dopamine and adrenaline. Cacao is a rich source of magnesium, which similarly to zinc also works to reduce excitability of neurons, as well as reducing levels of oxidative stress in the brain. Flaxseeds are a source of dietary fibre and also contain ALA, a vegan source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain health.

Big Baked Beans

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

2 red onions, peeled and finely chopped

2 x 400g cans butter beans, rinsed and drained

2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes

A little salt, or 1 tsp Marigold Reduced Salt Vegetable Bouillon powder

Freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Heat the oil in a saucepan and sauté the onions for 2 minutes to soften. Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer for 2 minutes, then taste to check the seasoning. Serve on wholemeal or rye toast. Tip: You can also purée the mixture before adding the beans to make a smooth sauce like the canned versions.

Alice adds: These baked beans contain no added sugar and are low in salt. Consuming high levels of sugar and refined foods has been indicated to increase hyperactivity and neurocognitive deficits in some studies. Swapping store cupboard staples such as baked beans for low sugar and low salt alternatives, or making your own using the recipe above, is a great way of reducing sugar and salt intake whilst keeping little tummies happy. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought much disruption, fear and anxiety, and this is particularly true amongst children and teens who have been affected by school closures, physical distancing and new routines. It is no surprise, then, that many children have been feeling more anxious or exhibiting signs of anxiety, and that related conditions such as OCD, social anxiety and disordered eating appear to be on the rise. Witnessing this in a child can be very worrying and stressful for parents.

At Food for the Brain, we’re passionate about sharing the science and nutritional strategies that promote good brain health and mental wellbeing at every life stage. Nurturing healthy brains in children is particularly important given the growing body of evidence connecting diet and mental health. 

Diet and Mental Health

We all know that diet plays a huge part in our health, but recently we have started to understand more about its connection to mental health. Unhealthy dietary patterns have been associated with poorer mental health in children and adolescents. Furthermore, a 2017 paper published in Public Health Nutrition found the UK to have the most ‘ultra-processed’ diet in Europe, as measured by family food purchases. British children were found to be eating “exceptionally high” proportions of ultra-processed foods*, which is likely to be contributing to health problems.

Specific Nutrients for Mental Health

The brain is the most energy-hungry organ in the body, stealing roughly 25% of the body’s energy requirements. In addition, there are specific nutrients that play a role in mental wellbeing. Ensuring good levels of these nutrients can support your child’s brain and mental health. 

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral found in higher concentrations in seafood, organ meat, chickpeas, lentils and pumpkin seeds – not foods that tend to be loved by children. Zinc can also be found in other foods such as the dark meat of chicken, yogurt, almonds and peas, but it may be harder to obtain the amounts children need from these sources.

Zinc is believed to interact with an important anti-anxiety brain chemical called GABA. GABA is the body’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning that it prevents excitatory neurotransmitters like dopamine and noradrenaline from over-stimulating the brain. This relaxes us and promotes feelings of calm, as well as helping to slow down our heart rate and breathing. In those who are deficient in GABA, feelings of anxiety and stress can be common symptoms.

Although zinc has not been as well researched as other nutrients, it has been connected in research to both ‘mood disorders’ and depression. Zinc supplementation may even reduce anger and lessen depression.

If your child does not eat seafood, chickpeas or chicken, you could encourage them to eat extra almonds, cashews and pumpkin seeds, to make up for any potential shortfalls. You could try making things like energy balls with nuts and seeds, adding raisins or dried apricots, which are also high in iron. 

Vitamin B6

B6 is really important for our mental wellbeing because the body uses it to make brain chemicals like GABA and serotonin, which make us feel calm, focussed and happy.

This vitamin is found in a wide range of foods such as meat, fish, chickpeas, vegetables and wholegrains. However, if your child’s diet mostly comprises refined, white foods such as bread and pasta, they may be losing out on important sources of this vitamin. Wholegrains and wholefoods should be the focus, keeping refined white flour to a minimum to help achieve good B6 levels. 

Iron

According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency. Iron deficiency in children is known to affect behaviour and learning, and has also been associated with increased anxiety and social problems. 

The best sources of iron are red meat, seafood and the dark meat of chicken. Plant foods also contain a lot of iron, such as beans, lentils, kale, cabbage and broccoli. Eggs and dairy contain iron in smaller amounts and may be a good source if your child will not eat plant or meat sources. An emphasis on green vegetables, however, is always recommended for overall good health.

What if my child doesn’t like these foods?

The biggest challenge for parents tends to be picky eaters, and time restraints. A picky eater may exclude whole food groups, such as animal protein or plant foods such as beans or greens. This may cause children to struggle to get the nutrition they need for good mental health.

Top Tips: It’s not easy coaxing a fussy child to eat something they don’t like, but disguising the food within something they do like can be a good trick. For example, making a well seasoned vegan burger using chickpeas. Or a creamy soup, sneaking in mixed vegetables, then blending until smooth for children who don’t like lumps. Shredding onion and celery into tomato sauce also disguises them well. Follow us on social media for additional tips this month on preparing meals for picky eaters.

* This report by The Soil Association provides useful information on ultra-processed foods and how to spot them.

With thanks to our volunteer, Linda Albinsson at Thrive Kids Clinic, for this article.