DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER FOLLOWING HIGH-SELENIUM FUNCTIONAL FOOD INTERVENTION: A ONE-GROUP PRETEST-POSTTEST STUDY

Abstract

One approach within Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) involves the use of High Selenium Functional Food (HSFF) to improve immunity and antioxidant status in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aimed to assess improvements in the development of children with ASD following an intervention using HSFF.

The study employed a pre-experimental, one-group pretest-posttest design. Under this design, the participants' development was assessed initially, followed by a one-month intervention period, after which their development was re-assessed. The results were then compared with the pre-intervention baseline. The study population consisted of 33 children with ASD; a sample of 25 children was determined using Slovin's formula with a 10% margin of error. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of ASD, an age of 2–6 years, and receipt of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. Exclusion criteria included children with ASD who were not present at the study site or who had severe congenital abnormalities. Consecutive sampling was used, whereby subjects who presented sequentially and met the selection criteria were enrolled until the required sample size was reached. The HSFF intervention consisted of a daily 50g serving of a high-selenium beef liver dish, administered over a period of one month. Developmental progress in children with ASD was assessed using the ATEC score, a standardized instrument with established reliability, administered by teachers or therapists. Data were analyzed using a paired-samples t-test with a 95% significance level.

The study results showed significant improvement in the development (communication, social interaction, sensory, physical, and behavioral aspects) of children with ASD (p-value 0.036 < 0.05). The mean developmental score for children with ASD was 96.50 prior to the intervention and 76.00 following the intervention.

The HSFF intervention can significantly improve the development of children with ASD. It is recommended that parents maintain a Casein-Free, Gluten-Free, and Sugar-Free (CFGFSF) diet throughout the intervention period; adherence to the CFGFSF diet can help manage the child's behavior in addition to improving immunity and antioxidant status.