Children and adults with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) have long benefited from specific vitamins and supplements. Certain ingredients can improve issues like low vitamin levels, sleep disruptions, and gastrointestinal problems, whether increased naturally through the diet or taken as a pill or tablet.
Thanks to decades of research, increased awareness, and the accessibility of the internet, parents of children with ASD now have more information than ever. Excitingly, that data tells us that the right ingredients can also improve areas like depression, eye contact, repetitive motions, hyperactivity, and overall behavior.
The Top Three Supplements and Vitamins to Consider
As a parent, you know that dietary changes can significantly impact your child. It’s usually a matter of trial and error, removing certain foods here and adding beneficial ingredients there. To make the path a little less bumpy, we’re taking a look at a few of the top supplements and vitamins to consider for your child.
As always, consult with your physician before introducing any new supplements or boosting vitamin intake. Your doctor can help you develop a strategy for starting your child on a supplement regimen that’s right for them.
Melatonin for Sleep
Individuals with ASD often have trouble falling and staying asleep. Contributing factors can include hyperactivity, anxiety, and medication side effects. Whatever the cause of your child’s sleep disturbances, melatonin is an all-natural ingredient that can help bring relief and healthful rest. Many adults and children take it, seeing immediate improvements in the quality of their sleep.
Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the human brain. It helps balance and restore an optimal wake cycle regulation. Some people don’t naturally produce enough melatonin, so they add more to their diet. Snacks that contain melatonin include bananas, nuts, eggs, and seeds.
You can also get melatonin supplements over the counter and easily incorporate them into your child’s evening routine. Your doctor can help you determine the best dose of melatonin, depending on your child’s unique needs.
Vitamin D Offers Many Improvements
Multiple studies have shown that vitamin D3 can
offer improvements for ASD symptoms. In one trial using vitamin D3, children with ASD displayed improvements in a wide variety of areas, including irritability, social withdrawal, hyperactivity, and more.
Other positive factors included increased social awareness and social cognition and reduced repetitive movements and random noises. Your pediatrician or family doctor can help you decide whether a vitamin D supplement is right for your child or whether there might be simple ways to boost your child’s vitamin D intake through their diet.
Vitamin D rich foods include:
- Milk
- Egg yolks
- Yogurt
- Cereal
- Orange juice
- Salmon
- Oranges
- Broccoli
- Oatmeal
Probiotics to Reduce Autism Severity
Lately, it seems like everyone is talking about gut health and probiotics. So, is it just a fad, or is there any substance to this trend? As it turns out, paying attention to gut health is nothing new. Since many kids with ASD struggle with gastrointestinal issues, they might benefit from a gut-balancing probiotic.
Your doctor can help you explore the root cause of your child’s GI distress, and a probiotic might come up as part of the solution. Research has shown that Bacteroides fragilis probiotics can fortify the gut barrier and improve ASD behaviors and symptoms.
The Top Three Supplements for Autism: Conclusion
Dietary alterations might be a common occurrence in your household. Certain foods may irritate your child, cause havoc on their mood, or amplify their hyperactivity.
As you navigate these challenging factors, it can be helpful to remember that many parents have seen big improvements once they discovered the right blend of healthy, nutritious ingredients. Eliminating certain foods and adding vitamins or supplements has helped many families enjoy tremendous benefits.
Sensory Scout is a wealth of resources, community connection opportunities, and sensory products that promote health and wellness–including our best-selling
NeuroBrocc Chewables to boost mood, minimize meltdowns and promote a sense of calm. Remember–as the parent of a child with sensory struggles; you’re never alone! We are all in this together.
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