How are gastrointestinal problems related to autism spectrum disorder?

Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience gastrointestinal problems. While the exact nature of this relationship is complex, clinical observations indicate that these issues are common among those on the autism spectrum.1

Because of this association, some therapeutic interventions are specifically directed toward calming the gastrointestinal tract. Research suggests that addressing these physical symptoms can lead to improvements in attention and learning for some individuals. One area of particular interest is microbiota transfer therapy, where clinical studies have shown that transferring fecal bacteria from healthy individuals into the gastrointestinal tracts of patients with autism is associated with improvements in both gastrointestinal health and behavioral symptoms.1

It is important to note that these gastrointestinal issues are distinct from, though potentially related to, the extreme sensitivity to food textures and narrow food preferences exhibited by approximately 70 percent of children with autism.2