29 Feb 2012 - Science Daily - Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet May Help Some Children With Autism, Research Suggests

"Research has shown that children with ASD commonly have GI gastrointestinal symptoms," said Christine Pennesi, medical student at Penn State College of Medicine. "Notably, a greater proportion of our study population reported GI and allergy symptoms than what is seen in the general pediatric population. Some experts have suggested that gluten- and casein-derived peptides cause an immune response in children with ASD, and others have proposed that the peptides could trigger GI symptoms and behavioral problems."