The Gluten Free Casein Free Diet in Australia

This website is designed to be a source of information about the Gluten Free Casein Free (GFCF) Diet for Australian children suffering from Autism and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Development Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified)

A Gluten Free Casein Free diet eliminates intake of the naturally-occurring proteins gluten (found naturally in wheat, barley, rye, and several other grains) and casein (found in milk). The Autism Research Institute and other advocacy groups recommend the diet as a treatment for autism and related disorders.

To summarise the theory behind the GFCF Diet, it is believed that children with Autism and PDD-NOS are not able to adequately breakdown and digest Gluten and Casein. When this occurs, Peptides are formed in the gut / stomach, which then find their way into the bloodstream. These peptides give off an opiate like effect in susceptible children - thus giving rise to typical autistic traits ... i.e. lack of eye contact, not answering to name, staring off into space etc.

Some of the reported benefits of the GFCF Diet include: improved language, reduced hyperactivity, greater ability to learn, reduced stimming, lessened propensity to aggression, better attention, reduced fatigue, improved digestion and reduced diarrhea

Gluten

Below are some of the most common sources of wheat. For a more detailed list, please click here.

• wheat
• oats
• rye
• barley
• durum

Casein

Below are some of the most common sources of casein. For a more detailed list, please click here.

• milk
• cheese
• yoghurt
• ice-cream
• whey