Understanding Diabetes and Special Needs. Diabetes is a condition that affects how the body uses sugar for energy. People with special needs may have a higher chance of getting diabetes. It is important for them and their families to know the signs of diabetes and how to take care of it. Some signs of diabetes are feeling very thirsty or hungry, needing to use the bathroom a lot, or feeling tired. If you notice these signs, talk to a doctor. They can do a test to see if it is diabetes. Taking care of diabetes means making healthy choices each day. This can help people with special needs feel their best. Their families and care team can support them in managing diabetes. Healthy Eating for Diabetes. Food plays a big part in controlling diabetes. People with special needs should eat meals and snacks at regular times. A dietitian can help make an eating plan that works well for them. Some tips for healthy eating with diabetes are: Eat lots of vegetables and fruits Choose whole grain foods like brown rice and whole wheat bread Include protein foods like chicken, fish, beans, and nuts Limit sugary and fatty foods Healthy eating doesn't have to be hard. Small changes can make a big difference in diabetes care. Families can help by keeping healthy foods at home and being a good role model. Staying Active. Along with eating well, exercise is key for people with special needs and diabetes. Being active...

Diabetes care tailored for individuals with special needs, addressing diet, exercise, medication, monitoring, and support.

Navigating Diabetes Care for Individuals with Special Needs

Understanding Diabetes and Special Needs. Diabetes is a condition that affects how the body uses sugar for energy. People with special needs may have a higher chance of getting diabetes. It is important for them and their families to know the signs of diabetes and how to take care of it. Some signs of diabetes are feeling very thirsty or hungry, needing to use the bathroom a lot, or feeling tired. If you notice these signs, talk to a doctor. They can do a test to see if it is diabetes. Taking care of diabetes means making healthy choices each day. This can help people with special needs feel their best. Their families and care team can support them in managing diabetes. Healthy Eating for Diabetes. Food plays a big part in controlling diabetes. People with special needs should eat meals and snacks at regular times. A dietitian can help make an eating plan that works well for them. Some tips for healthy eating with diabetes are:  Eat lots of vegetables and fruits Choose whole grain foods like brown rice and whole wheat bread Include protein foods like chicken, fish, beans, and nuts Limit sugary and fatty foods  Healthy eating doesn't have to be hard. Small changes can make a big difference in diabetes care. Families can help by keeping healthy foods at home and being a good role model. Staying Active. Along with eating well, exercise is key for people with special needs and diabetes. Being active...

Diabetes care tailored for individuals with special needs, addressing diet, exercise, medication, monitoring, and support.

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...

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

Gluten-free and casein-free diets (also referred to as GFCF) continue to grow in popularity as an alternative remedy for treating special needs like autism or ADHD. While some parents say their child's symptoms disappear while on these diets, other parents note their children do not improve. So what exactly is GFCF and how does it help? Gluten is a protein found in grains, such as wheat and barley. While gluten is harmless for many children, those individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity can have extreme symptoms even from the smallest bite of food containing gluten. For those children with celiac disease, the body released antibodies that attack the intestines and prevent the body from absorbing nutrients from food. It often results in extreme pain, stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or NCGS, also causes an autoimmune reaction, but it does not cause the body to create those antibodies like celiac disease. There is no treatment for celiac disease or NCGS except a gluten-free diet. These diets can be tricky for kids because of food provided at school or parties, and eating out with the family can be challenging as well. Working with a dietician is important to ensure your child is not missing out on vitamins and nutrients often obtained from foods with gluten. Casein is a milk protein found in milk and other dairy products. A casein-free diet eliminates dairy products and some...

GFCF diets are popular for autism/ADHD; gluten and casein may worsen symptoms in some. Strict label reading and nutrition care are vital.

What is Gluten-Free and Casein-Free?

 Gluten-free and casein-free diets (also referred to as GFCF) continue to grow in popularity as an alternative remedy for treating special needs like autism or ADHD. While some parents say their child's symptoms disappear while on these diets, other parents note their children do not improve. So what exactly is GFCF and how does it help?   Gluten is a protein found in grains, such as wheat and barley. While gluten is harmless for many children, those individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity can have extreme symptoms even from the smallest bite of food containing gluten.   For those children with celiac disease, the body released antibodies that attack the intestines and prevent the body from absorbing nutrients from food. It often results in extreme pain, stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or NCGS, also causes an autoimmune reaction, but it does not cause the body to create those antibodies like celiac disease.    There is no treatment for celiac disease or NCGS except a gluten-free diet. These diets can be tricky for kids because of food provided at school or parties, and eating out with the family can be challenging as well. Working with a dietician is important to ensure your child is not missing out on vitamins and nutrients often obtained from foods with gluten.    Casein is a milk protein found in milk and other dairy products. A casein-free diet eliminates dairy products and some...

'What? Gluten intolerance? Wheat allergy? Not me!' Gluten-Free has become a fad. Many doctors, dieticians, and nutritionists today may suspect and diagnose Celiac Disease, (CD), yet are mystified about what diet to recommend. Some doctors don't know that wheat is allergy-related and gluten is intolerance, not an allergy. Many people are sensitive to both. Some doctors tell gluten intolerant patients to avoid wheat, barley, and rye. Very few doctors and nutritionists know about cross-links that occur in many foods and especially in many gluten-free products, such as tapioca and corn. Wheat allergy should not be confused with gluten intolerance. Celiac Disease, (Celiac Sprue), affects the small intestine, and is caused by an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. Usually diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, it is an auto-immune related digestive disease that causes serious complications such as malnutrition and intestinal damage if left untreated. Wheat, a grain, contains four major proteins that can cause an allergy Gluten is found in wheat as well as barley, rye, and many other grains oats. Europeans in general are more informed about Celiac Disease than most North Americans. Italian children are tested for CD before they are allowed to go to school, and Celiacs receive a discount from the government for their special diets. It is interesting to know that Italians have the highest degree of CD on the planet. Approximately 20% of wheat-allergic children in the world also are allergic to other grains. Friends and family commiserate, unaware they, too, may be afflicted with...

Gluten intolerance and wheat allergy are distinct; many unaware of proper diet for Celiac Disease, which is hereditary and serious.

Gluten-free? Why Me?

'What? Gluten intolerance? Wheat allergy? Not me!' Gluten-Free has become a fad. Many doctors, dieticians, and nutritionists today may suspect and diagnose Celiac Disease, (CD), yet are mystified about what diet to recommend. Some doctors don't know that wheat is allergy-related and gluten is intolerance, not an allergy. Many people are sensitive to both. Some doctors tell gluten intolerant patients to avoid wheat, barley, and rye. Very few doctors and nutritionists know about cross-links that occur in many foods and especially in many gluten-free products, such as tapioca and corn. Wheat allergy should not be confused with gluten intolerance. Celiac Disease, (Celiac Sprue), affects the small intestine, and is caused by an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. Usually diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, it is an auto-immune related digestive disease that causes serious complications such as malnutrition and intestinal damage if left untreated. Wheat, a grain, contains four major proteins that can cause an allergy Gluten is found in wheat as well as barley, rye, and many other grains oats. Europeans in general are more informed about Celiac Disease than most North Americans. Italian children are tested for CD before they are allowed to go to school, and Celiacs receive a discount from the government for their special diets. It is interesting to know that Italians have the highest degree of CD on the planet. Approximately 20% of wheat-allergic children in the world also are allergic to other grains.  Friends and family commiserate, unaware they, too, may be afflicted with...

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Special Needs
Articles

Navigating Diabetes Care for Individuals with Special Needs

Nutritional Deficiencies in Autism and ADHD: What Parents Should Monitor

What is Gluten-Free and Casein-Free?

Gluten-free? Why Me?

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Navigating Diabetes Care for Individuals with Special Needs

Nutritional Deficiencies in Autism and ADHD: What Parents Should Monitor

What is Gluten-Free and Casein-Free?

Gluten-free? Why Me?

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles