Your child eats the same six foods every day. Their pediatrician mentioned vitamin levels at the last visit. You've seen supplement ads targeting autism and ADHD families, but you're not sure what's marketing and what's medicine. Research documents specific nutrient gaps that occur more frequently in children with autism and ADHD than in neurotypical children. Some deficiencies result from selective eating patterns common in both conditions. Others connect to gastrointestinal issues that affect nutrient absorption. Here's what testing shows, which deficiencies have the strongest research backing, and how pediatric dietitians approach supplementation. Documented Nutrient Deficiencies in Autism and ADHD. Multiple studies identify consistent patterns in children with autism and ADHD. The most commonly documented deficiencies include: Vitamin D: Low vitamin D levels appear in 40-60% of children with autism, compared to 30% in neurotypical children. ADHD research shows similar patterns. Vitamin D supports immune function, bone health, and neurotransmitter production. B Vitamins: B6, B12, and folate deficiencies occur frequently. B6 plays a role in neurotransmitter synthesis. B12 supports nerve function and red blood cell production. Many children with selective eating patterns avoid the animal proteins and leafy greens that provide these vitamins. Magnesium and Zinc: Both minerals show up as deficient in multiple autism and ADHD studies. Magnesium affects muscle and nerve function, sleep regulation, and anxiety levels. Zinc supports immune function, wound healing, and neurotransmitter activity. Calcium: Children who avoid dairy due to texture preferences or casein-free diets often test low for calcium. This affects...

Specific nutrient gaps are common in autism and ADHD. Here's what testing reveals and how dietitians address it.

Nutritional Deficiencies in Autism and ADHD: What Parents Should Monitor

Your child eats the same six foods every day. Their pediatrician mentioned vitamin levels at the last visit. You've seen supplement ads targeting autism and ADHD families, but you're not sure what's marketing and what's medicine. Research documents specific nutrient gaps that occur more frequently in children with autism and ADHD than in neurotypical children. Some deficiencies result from selective eating patterns common in both conditions. Others connect to gastrointestinal issues that affect nutrient absorption. Here's what testing shows, which deficiencies have the strongest research backing, and how pediatric dietitians approach supplementation. Documented Nutrient Deficiencies in Autism and ADHD. Multiple studies identify consistent patterns in children with autism and ADHD. The most commonly documented deficiencies include:  Vitamin D: Low vitamin D levels appear in 40-60% of children with autism, compared to 30% in neurotypical children. ADHD research shows similar patterns. Vitamin D supports immune function, bone health, and neurotransmitter production.  B Vitamins: B6, B12, and folate deficiencies occur frequently. B6 plays a role in neurotransmitter synthesis. B12 supports nerve function and red blood cell production. Many children with selective eating patterns avoid the animal proteins and leafy greens that provide these vitamins.  Magnesium and Zinc: Both minerals show up as deficient in multiple autism and ADHD studies. Magnesium affects muscle and nerve function, sleep regulation, and anxiety levels. Zinc supports immune function, wound healing, and neurotransmitter activity.  Calcium: Children who avoid dairy due to texture preferences or casein-free diets often test low for calcium. This affects...

Nutritional Deficiencies in Autism and ADHD: What Parents Should Monitor

When your child's femur breaks from a fall that wouldn't bruise an ambulatory peer, the first question most parents ask themselves is what they did wrong. The answer is usually nothing. For children who don't walk, bone density decreases at a rate that can turn a minor tumble into a serious fracture, and most families don't learn about that risk until it's already happened. The medical term is disuse osteoporosis. Bones strengthen when they bear weight. When a child spends most of their day seated or lying down, their skeleton doesn't receive the mechanical stress that drives bone formation. Over time, bone density drops. Fracture risk climbs. By adolescence, many non-ambulatory children have bone mineral density comparable to adults with osteoporosis. This isn't a problem you can prevent entirely, but you can reduce the risk substantially if you know what to monitor and when to act. Why Non-Ambulatory Children Lose Bone Density. Bone is living tissue. It responds to the forces placed on it. When you walk, every step creates impact that signals your bones to maintain or increase their density. When that impact is absent, your body reallocates resources. Calcium gets pulled from bone. Density decreases. Fracture threshold drops. For children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy, or other conditions that limit weight-bearing, this process starts early and compounds over time. Studies show non-ambulatory children have 20 to 40% lower bone mineral density than ambulatory peers by age 10. Fracture risk increases by a factor of four...

Non-ambulatory children face 4–8x higher fracture risk. Learn when to request DEXA scans, nutrition targets, and medication options.

Protecting Bone Health in Non-Ambulatory Children: A Parent's Guide to Preventing Fractures

When your child's femur breaks from a fall that wouldn't bruise an ambulatory peer, the first question most parents ask themselves is what they did wrong. The answer is usually nothing. For children who don't walk, bone density decreases at a rate that can turn a minor tumble into a serious fracture, and most families don't learn about that risk until it's already happened. The medical term is disuse osteoporosis. Bones strengthen when they bear weight. When a child spends most of their day seated or lying down, their skeleton doesn't receive the mechanical stress that drives bone formation. Over time, bone density drops. Fracture risk climbs. By adolescence, many non-ambulatory children have bone mineral density comparable to adults with osteoporosis. This isn't a problem you can prevent entirely, but you can reduce the risk substantially if you know what to monitor and when to act. Why Non-Ambulatory Children Lose Bone Density. Bone is living tissue. It responds to the forces placed on it. When you walk, every step creates impact that signals your bones to maintain or increase their density. When that impact is absent, your body reallocates resources. Calcium gets pulled from bone. Density decreases. Fracture threshold drops. For children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy, or other conditions that limit weight-bearing, this process starts early and compounds over time. Studies show non-ambulatory children have 20 to 40% lower bone mineral density than ambulatory peers by age 10. Fracture risk increases by a factor of four...

It’s important to have a healthy gut to keep the body functioning properly. When a person experiences problems with digestion, they may want to consider an organic detox to get their health back on track. A new study from Texas A&M University has found that one way to promote a healthy gut in children is to breastfeed them in infancy. The study showed that breastfed babies tend to have healthier digestive systems than formula-fed infants. "Our findings suggest that human milk promotes the beneficial crosstalk between the immune system and microbe population in the gut, and maintains intestinal stability,” said researcher Robert Chapkin. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first six months of life. According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are multiple benefits to breastfeeding, since breast milk contains many proteins, vitamins and healthy carbohydrates. Among other beneficial substances is lactose, which may also promote a healthy gut. According to the organization, lactose helps to decrease unhealthy bacteria levels in the stomach, while working to improve the body’s ability to absorb calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. It also promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach. Some women may not be able to breastfeed. If this is the case, there are other options besides formula. For example, the American Pregnancy Association states that lactation consultants can be found at many hospitals and can help teach women to breastfeed effectively, or there may be milk banks...

Study finds breastfed babies develop healthier guts than formula-fed peers, boosting immunity and digestion.

Breastfeeding Promotes a Healthy Gut in Babies

 It’s important to have a healthy gut to keep the body functioning properly. When a person experiences problems with digestion, they may want to consider an organic detox to get their health back on track. A new study from Texas A&M University has found that one way to promote a healthy gut in children is to breastfeed them in infancy.   The study showed that breastfed babies tend to have healthier digestive systems than formula-fed infants.   "Our findings suggest that human milk promotes the beneficial crosstalk between the immune system and microbe population in the gut, and maintains intestinal stability,” said researcher Robert Chapkin.   The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first six months of life. According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are multiple benefits to breastfeeding, since breast milk contains many proteins, vitamins and healthy carbohydrates.   Among other beneficial substances is lactose, which may also promote a healthy gut. According to the organization, lactose helps to decrease unhealthy bacteria levels in the stomach, while working to improve the body’s ability to absorb calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. It also promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach.   Some women may not be able to breastfeed. If this is the case, there are other options besides formula. For example, the American Pregnancy Association states that lactation consultants can be found at many hospitals and can help teach women to breastfeed effectively, or there may be milk banks...

With the surge of gluten-free and casein-free (dairy-free) diets, many parents might have difficulty ensuring their children are still getting adequate nutrition. Many of us know milk products are perhaps the easiest and most well known way to get calcium, which is important for growing bones and teeth. However, there are alternate sources of calcium that will likely fit into your child's modified diet. Why Do We Need Calcium? Calcium helps growing bodies build strong bones, regulates the heart's rhythm, and helps send chemical messages through nerves. The body gets calcium in two ways; through foods you ingest or by taking it from the bones. Vitamin D is also necessary for the body to absorb calcium and strengthen bones. Muscle, nerve, and immune system function also relies on Vitamin D. The body produces Vitamin D naturally when exposed to sunlight. Foods such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, and tuna) are high in Vitamin D, and products like milk and other beverages are usually fortified with Vitamin D because they do not have much of it naturally. Lack of calcium and Vitamin D can cause rickets, or a condition of soft bones, and it can increase the risk of osteoporosis. One easy way to ensure your child gets Vitamin D is to let them get fresh air and sunlight on a daily basis. You can also make sure they are getting calcium and Vitamin D through their diet. ...

Explore non-dairy calcium sources such as leafy greens, nuts, and fortified milk alternatives, along with sunlight for Vitamin D.

How to Get Calcium without Milk

 With the surge of gluten-free and casein-free (dairy-free) diets, many parents might have difficulty ensuring their children are still getting adequate nutrition. Many of us know milk products are perhaps the easiest and most well known way to get calcium, which is important for growing bones and teeth. However, there are alternate sources of calcium that will likely fit into your child's modified diet.     Why Do We Need Calcium?    Calcium helps growing bodies build strong bones, regulates the heart's rhythm, and helps send chemical messages through nerves. The body gets calcium in two ways; through foods you ingest or by taking it from the bones. Vitamin D is also necessary for the body to absorb calcium and strengthen bones. Muscle, nerve, and immune system function also relies on Vitamin D. The body produces Vitamin D naturally when exposed to sunlight. Foods such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, and tuna) are high in Vitamin D, and products like milk and other beverages are usually fortified with Vitamin D because they do not have much of it naturally.    Lack of calcium and Vitamin D can cause rickets, or a condition of soft bones, and it can increase the risk of osteoporosis. One easy way to ensure your child gets Vitamin D is to let them get fresh air and sunlight on a daily basis. You can also make sure they are getting calcium and Vitamin D through their diet.  ...

Explore non-dairy calcium sources such as leafy greens, nuts, and fortified milk alternatives, along with sunlight for Vitamin D.

How to Get Calcium without Milk

Osteopenia is a precursor to osteoporosis, and it typically occurs in adults over the age of 55. So why are many children showing signs of bone loss? One cause might be celiac disease. Osteopenia falls in between healthy bone and osteoporosis in regards to the amount of bone mineral density. Osteopenia affects roughly half of all Americans over the age of 50, and the cause of bone loss is typically from not getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Adults with celiac disease also have a high risk of osteopenia, and the amount of these adults with low bone density is somewhere between 80 and 100 percent. Research also shows that even children with celiac disease have extremely low bone density; some research even shows that 50 percent of children with celiac disease have osteopenia. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which antibodies attack the stomach and intestines due to ingestion of gluten. This disorder causes malnutrition because essential vitamins and nutrients are not being absorbed in the body. One such important mineral is calcium, which is essential for building strong bones. Celiac disease can be hard to diagnose if your child is not exhibiting some of the common symptoms, such as irritable bowel, bloating, diarrhea, and poor growth. Malabsorption of minerals like calcium might be occurring even without the presence of these symptoms. While a child with osteopenia might look normal on the outside, their bones...

Celiac disease, leading to poor nutrient absorption, may cause osteopenia--a precursor to osteoporosis--even in children.

Osteopenia and Celiac Disease

  Osteopenia is a precursor to osteoporosis, and it typically occurs in adults over the age of 55. So why are many children showing signs of bone loss? One cause might be celiac disease.   Osteopenia falls in between healthy bone and osteoporosis in regards to the amount of bone mineral density. Osteopenia affects roughly half of all Americans over the age of 50, and the cause of bone loss is typically from not getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet.   Adults with celiac disease also have a high risk of osteopenia, and the amount of these adults with low bone density is somewhere between 80 and 100 percent. Research also shows that even children with celiac disease have extremely low bone density; some research even shows that 50 percent of children with celiac disease have osteopenia.   Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which antibodies attack the stomach and intestines due to ingestion of gluten. This disorder causes malnutrition because essential vitamins and nutrients are not being absorbed in the body. One such important mineral is calcium, which is essential for building strong bones.   Celiac disease can be hard to diagnose if your child is not exhibiting some of the common symptoms, such as irritable bowel, bloating, diarrhea, and poor growth. Malabsorption of minerals like calcium might be occurring even without the presence of these symptoms. While a child with osteopenia might look normal on the outside, their bones...

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Special Needs
Articles

Nutritional Deficiencies in Autism and ADHD: What Parents Should Monitor

Protecting Bone Health in Non-Ambulatory Children: A Parent's Guide to Preventing Fractures

Breastfeeding Promotes a Healthy Gut in Babies

How to Get Calcium without Milk

Osteopenia and Celiac Disease

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Special Needs Articles

Nutritional Deficiencies in Autism and ADHD: What Parents Should Monitor

Protecting Bone Health in Non-Ambulatory Children: A Parent's Guide to Preventing Fractures

Breastfeeding Promotes a Healthy Gut in Babies

How to Get Calcium without Milk

Osteopenia and Celiac Disease

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
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