ABC News embraces the nonsense. You may have heard the recent news that an expert panel of pediatricians reviewed the literature on gastrointestinal disorders and autism, and found no link between them.
A key phrase in their findings was The existence of a gastrointestinal disturbance specific to persons with ASDs (eg, "autistic enterocolitis") has not been established. They also found that there was no evidence that special diets help autistic kids. Mind you, this was a panel of 28 experts, scientists who have devoted their careers and lives to investigating autism. Gluten-Free Diet: a Cure for Some, a Fad for Most.
Geoffrey Flolo, a professional clarinetist who also works at a health food store in Virginia, avoids eating wheat, rye, or barley whenever possible.
All three grains contain the protein gluten, which he believes is unhealthy for him. A few years ago, his self-imposed restriction meant eating no pizza, no bread, and no doughnuts. Now Flolo eats all those, thanks to the profusion of new gluten-free products. In not quite 1 percent of Americans, consuming gluten damages the small intestine and impairs its ability to absorb nutrients. The Gluten-Free Trend – 99% Nonsense.