Although autism is poorly understood, some pediatricians and parents say the symptoms can be eased by diet.

The diets, designed to compensate for the child’s altered biochemistry, are based on a growing body of knowledge about how the body extracts needed chemical compounds from food.

Lynchburg pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth Mumper has about 800 patients with autism, ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), or other developmental disabilities. Although ADHD and autism are different disorders, they have some similarities, she said.

“We are very, very interested in looking at the underlying metabolic abnormalities to see if we can fix that part of it,” she said.

She prefers a nutritional approach rather than use of stimulant drugs. Vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, methyl B-12 and specialized diets are part of the regimen she uses.

What she often finds, as part of the medical history, is that the child’s diet is usually five to seven foods, most often chicken nuggets, french fries and or macaroni and cheese, and some kind of chips or fruit. Seldom are green vegetables in the mix.

Autistic children often crave bread and wheat products, but with their abnormal biochemistry it creates abnormal results.

Among the options she uses are a gluten-free, casein free diet - no milk or cheese products. No wheat flours.

“In the people that try it, in the kids that are responders, sometimes the results are very dramatic,” she said.

Susan and Scott Robinson’s son Austin was diagnosed with autism at age 8. He’s now 15.

“We didn’t see any symptoms until he was 5,” Susan Robinson said. “We saw a huge difference the year he got the DPT shots (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus).

When they came to Lynchburg and Mumper put him on methyl B-12, and a diet with no bread or dairy products, she said, “I was skeptical.”

“It was like a fog was lifted. I have to say the diet is not easy. But once you see (your) child get better, it’s worth it.”

She bakes with nut flours - making muffins and other goodies for him. “I make sure I have food that he likes to eat.”

He still has the diagnosis, but his symptoms have lessened dramatically, she said.

Janette Lacy’s son Timothy is 4 years old. He had barely turned 3 when his pediatrician referred him to a developmental specialist for evaluation.

The diagnosis was a moderate PDD (pervasive delayed disorder) which is in the autism spectrum.

“We were very concerned,” Janette Lacy said. She and her husband’s main focus now is that Timothy be able to reach his potential.

He received a number of services to help. And she researched autism and became interested in the diet connection. Her pediatrician discouraged her. But she began on her own, buying foods at a health food store. There someone recommended Mumper.

Timothy - already on a milk- free diet because of intense allergies - is now on a wheat-free diet as well.

And he’s changing.

Lacy knows it’s not a proven theory - or disproven.

“If something works for you,” she said, “It works.”