Little Wins

13/03/2026

The benefit of a gluten-free/casein-free diet is based on the theory that children with autism may have an allergy or high sensitivity to foods containing gluten or casein. Children with autism, according to the theory, process peptides and proteins in foods containing gluten and casein differently than other people do. Hypothetically, this difference in processing may exacerbate autistic symptoms.

Some believe that the brain treats these proteins like false opiate-like chemicals. The reaction to these chemicals, they say, leads a child to act in a certain way. The idea behind the use of the diet is to reduce symptoms and improve social and cognitive behaviors and speech.

Read more:

WebMD explains the theory behind the gluten-free/casein-free (GFCF) diet for autism.

13/03/2026

𝐅𝐃𝐀 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫?

Leucovorin, a drug prescribed to combat the effects of some cancer drugs, was approved for a label update on Tuesday, March 20, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Not for those with the broader diagnosis as endorsed by President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but for a rare condition called cerebral folate deficiency.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/03/11/fda-leucovorin-autism-approval-change/89085487007/

12/03/2026

FDA declines to approve drug touted by Trump as a treatment for autism.

12/03/2026

𝐅𝐃𝐀 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦.

President Donald Trump on Monday used the platform of the presidency to promote unproven and in some cases discredited ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism as his administration announced a wide-ranging effort to study the causes of the complex brain disorder.

“Don’t take Tylenol,” Trump instructed pregnant women around a dozen times during the unwieldy White House news conference, also urging mothers not to give their infants the drug, known by the generic name acetaminophen in the U.S. or paracetamol in most other countries. He also fueled long-debunked claims that ingredients in vaccines or timing shots close together could contribute to rising rates of autism in the U.S., without providing any medical evidence.

The rambling announcement, which appeared to rely on existing studies rather than significant new research, comes as the Make America Healthy Again movement has been pushing for answers on the causes of autism. The diverse coalition of supporters of Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. includes several anti-vaccine activists who have long spread debunked claims that immunizations are responsible.

The announcement also sheds light on Trump’s own long-held fascination with autism and his trepidation about the childhood vaccine schedule, even as the president has taken pride in his work to disseminate COVID-19 vaccines during his first term.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/tylenol-cause-autism-trump-kennedy-0847ee76eedecbd5e9baa6888b567d66https://apnews.com/article/tylenol-cause-autism-trump-kennedy-0847ee76eedecbd5e9baa6888b567d66

President Donald Trump is using the platform of the presidency to promote unproven ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism.

10/03/2026

Vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to increased risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with low levels often observed in affected children due to dietary issues or poor absorption. Research indicates B12 is crucial for neural development, methylation, and gut health, with studies suggesting that methyl-B12 supplementation may improve certain ASD symptoms.

Read more: https://www.autismspeaks.org/science-news/b12-and-autism

04/03/2026

WHO expert group’s new analysis reaffirms there is no link between vaccines and autism.

New analysis from a WHO global expert committee on vaccine safety has found that, based on available evidence, no causal link exists between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The conclusion reaffirms WHO’s position that childhood vaccines do not cause autism.

The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), established in 1999, brings together international experts to provide independent and authoritative scientific advice to WHO on global vaccine safety related priorities.

The latest analysis, discussed by the Committee on 27 November 2025, focused first on the relationship between thiomersal-containing vaccines and ASD, and the association between vaccines in general and ASD. Evidence based on 31 primary research studies, published between January 2010 and August 2025, including data from multiple countries, strongly supports the positive safety profile of vaccines used during childhood and pregnancy, and confirms the absence of a causal link with ASD.

Read more: https://www.who.int/news/item/11-12-2025-who-expert-group-s-new-analysis-reaffirms-there-is-no-link-between-vaccines-and-autism

New analysis from a WHO global expert committee on vaccine safety has found that, based on available evidence, no causal link exists between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The conclusion reaffirms WHO’s position that childhood vaccines do not cause autism.

04/03/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦.

This project was a product of collaboration across multiple institutions including Pasca Lab, the Broad Institute and the Geschwind Lab at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Pasca Lab specializes in growing three-dimensional organoid models from reprogrammed stem cells, which capture molecular changes during fetal brain-like development. Because the human brain cannot be studied directly during development, organoids provide a novel way to observe how genetic mutations shape neural function in a controlled setting.

Read more: https://stanforddaily.com/2026/02/24/stem-cell-based-organoids-reveal-shared-genetic-pathways-in-autism/

03/03/2026

Stimming (self-stimulatory behaviour) is something that autistic people do, to channel and manage excess energy and to self soothe.

It can include things like body movements, making vocal noises or engaging in other stimulation of the senses.

Stimming movements or vocal noises are often – but not always – repetitive.

Many autistic people stim in different ways, and this is mostly a positive experience which helps them to cope with unpleasant sensations such as overload of information, social, emotional, or sensory input. You should not try to suppress stimming unless it is causing harm to the autistic person or others. Where the behaviours are unhealthy or harmful, safe stims can be practised to replace them.

02/03/2026

𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦. 𝐈𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝'𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠?

Children with ASD often have lower creatine levels in certain brain regions which is critical for synapse maturation, brain energy and neuroplasticity.

Read more:

https://medcasestudies.com/creatine-autism-is-your-childs-brain-starving/

Why creatine is the most important energy molecule we need to learn and how is creatine metabolism involved in autism pathogenesis​

02/03/2026

Yeast overgrowth (specifically Candida) in the gut is a common, manageable medical issue in some autistic children that can cause symptoms like inappropriate or excessive laughter, often described as "giddy" "hysterical" or "drunken" behavior.

This phenomenon is sometimes called "yeast-induced laughter" and can also cause increased stimming, brain fog, and fatigue.

Addressing yeast overgrowth can lead to significant improvements in a child's focus, behavior, and communication. It is recommended to work with a pediatrician or specialist to test for and manage this issue.

02/03/2026