Feeding children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders can be very difficult. There can be problems with eating different textured foods, only eating food of a preferred colour or certain brands, disgust at the smell of non-accepted foods. Sometimes the child has limits about how much they will eat and extreme anxiety if asked to eat non-accepted foods.

On Monday 2nd June the University of Glasgow is bringing together experts in the fields of health and nutrition to address an event entitled "Diet and Autistic Spectrum Disorders". The event will enable interested parties including those from education, social work and health professionals to hear the most current information and practical advice. Conference chair Dr Ken Aitken, Clinical Psychologist working with Greater Glasgow Primary Health Care Trust said "In the past 10 years there has been an increase in the in the diagnosis of autism. Until recently dietary factors have been largely ignored in NHS provision for autistic children".

Amongst those speaking at the event will be Gill Harris, Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, who will be talking on "Fear of New Foods: Understanding food refusal in children on the Autistic Spectrum". She says, "This style of eating behaviour should not be seen as attention seeking. I will be providing the audience with some suggestions of what not to do and what might work to cope with these feeding problems."

Anne Laverty, Senior Dietitian at Muckamore Abbey Hospital, Belfast, will update the audience on scientific evidence on the role of diet in the treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders. She will look in particular at the use of gluten free and/or casein free diet and will also talk about additives in foods. Anne explains that "The role of dietary treatment of autistic behaviour is still controversial. Gluten and/or casein free diets may offer some improvement but more study is needed."

Human Nutrition at the University of Glasgow have organised this meeting in association with the Scottish Society for Autism who stated: "The Scottish Society for Autism is delighted to be involved in this event and are always interested in new advances and research within the field of autism. Diet has for many years been a topic of interest and we are pleased that it is being addressed at this event."

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

The event will be held on Monday, 2 June 2003, the Glasgow Caledonian University, Govan Mbeki Building at 1.00 pm.

For further information contact:
Carolyn Fraser
Human Nutrition
Yorkhill Hospitals
Glasgow G3 8SJ
Tel: 0141 201 9264
E-mail: cf24f@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
On the day call mobile: 07966 561474
or University of Glasgow Press Office on 0141-330-3535

'Diet and Autistic Spectrum Disorders' Programme

12.15 ? 1.00 Registration

1.00 ? 1.05 Opening Comments from the Chair Dr Ken Aitken, Clinical Psychologist working in GGPHCT with Adolescent Learning Disabilities, including ASDs and Independent Consultant Child Clinical Neuropsychologist

1.05 ? 1.35 Understanding Autistic Behaviour Dr Ken Aitken, (as above)

1.35 ? 1.45 Questions and Discussion

1.45 ? 2.25 Overview of Diet in the Treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders - Evidence into Practice Anne Laverty, Senior Dietician, Muckamore Abbey Hospital, Belfast

2.25 ? 2.40 Questions and Discussion

2.40 ? 3.05 Refreshment Break

3.05 ? 3.45 Fear of New Food: Understanding Food Refusal in Children on the Autistic Spectrum Gillian Harris, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Birmingham and Consultant Psychologist, The Children?s Hospital, Birmingham

3.45 ? 4.05 Questions, Discussion and Closing Remarks Dr Ken Aitken, (as above) Jane Hook, Chair of the Scottish Society for Autism

First published: 30 May 2003