IMPROVEMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) SYMPTOMS THROUGH CONSUMPTION OF FOODS HIGH IN SELENIUM

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by two symptoms, namely communication/social interaction disorders and restrictive/repetitive behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of consuming high-selenium foods in the form of high-selenium functional side dishes (HSFF) and selenium supplements (SS) on improving the development of communication, social interaction, sensory cognition, and physical behavior. A randomized controlled experiment design was conducted on 65 ASD children from 14 autism therapy clinics, divided into: HSFF intervention group (n = 22), SS intervention group (n = 22), and control group (n = 21). Before the intervention, all groups underwent a casein-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free (CFGFSF) diet. The HSFF intervention group consisted of side dishes and SS, while the control group was given a placebo in the form of mocaf flour for three months. The results of the intervention were assessed by evaluating improvements in ASD development at the beginning and end of the intervention. The Mann Whitney test and linear regression test were used to evaluate the effects of HSFF and SS. The results of the study in the HSFF and SS groups showed a significant increase in the development of communication, social interaction, sensory cognition, and physical behavior compared to the control group (p<0.05), but HS did not affect the improvement of social interaction development after CFGFSF diet compliance and research interventions were given (p=0.139). The provision of HSFF and SS can improve the development of ASD children.