Autism & Gastrointestinal Issues - What's the Link?
Statistics don't lie - those with autism are up to four times as likely to suffer from gastrointestinal issues than their neurotypical peers. Constipation, diarrhea, and extreme discomfort compound the challenge of articulating body sensations to caregivers. But, what is the link between autism and digestive issues? How can a neurological developmental disorder affect the gut and vice versa?
Context
A hallmark feature of autism is the difficulty in expressing oneself at a level considered typical for a teen of their age, often falling into patterns of repetition and rigidity. They can struggle to understand what information is being asked of them or suddenly lack interest in the conversation as it does not revolve around the narrow spectrum of their specific interests. Their vocabulary may develop unevenly and, as a result, leave them unable to describe the intestinal pain they are experiencing. Inability to pick up on non-verbal cues may cause them to fail to understand the seriousness of the topic or what they are being asked. This can leave parents feeling frustrated as they cannot pinpoint the causes of their exceptional teen’s aggression, mood problems, or sleep difficulties. Selective eating and food rejection can be the first outward warning signs of digestive issues, but the point is more complicated than that.
What Could It Be?
As we've said before, studies have shown that teens with autism are much more likely to have gut issues than neurotypical teens. That being said, many conditions fall under this umbrella term. Crohn's disease, colitis, celiac disease, gastritis, and inflammatory bowel disease are all diagnoses that must be ruled out apart from less complex occurrences of diarrhea or constipation. Physical symptoms can include excessive flatulence, belching, bloating, reflux, vomiting, or severe generalized nausea.
Not All Symptoms Are Physical
However, as we touched on previously, not all symptoms of gut issues are physical. Intense irritability, aggression, hyperactivity, and difficulties sleeping can indirectly indicate problems, but they aren't all. Though sometimes verbalize their discomfort, teens with autism may have other giveaway signs like frequently touching their abdomen, chewing on their clothes, coughing excessively, grinding their teeth, or any other self-injurious behavior with no apparent outward cause.
What's the Link?
Considering all of this, it would be expected for you to wonder - what exactly is the link between a neurological condition and a digestive disorder? Scientists are pointing towards several possibilities. A distinct difference in composition of gut microbes, an over or underactive immune system, excessive prescription of antibiotics, or an elevated presence of unhelpful bacteria have all been considered as factors for this phenomenon. While conclusive evidence to one overarching cause still eludes us, parents still need to take action for their teens.
What Can Be Done?
For exceptional teens who suffer from digestive problems, the best thing that their caregivers can do is to work closely with a dietician specialized in this field. Parents can see immediate improvement by trying different dietary adjustments, from going lactose-free, increasing fiber, introducing stool softeners, or eliminating gluten. Alongside the nutritional changes, parents should impose a healthy eating chart system where their exceptional teen’s eating patterns are monitored, and rewards are given for healthy eating. This can also go hand in hand with relieving intense selective eating behaviors. The right plan can often decrease intestinal discomfort - hope is possible!
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We hope you've found this helpful! For more information or advice for parents of teens with autism, don't forget to check out our blog. If you're considering life beyond high school for your exceptional student, take a look at our LyfeLaunch program and arrange a chat with one of our expert teams.
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