Nutrition Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
$39.00
Intermediate
Online
Course Abstract
Nutrition Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a 3-hour online continuing education (CE/CEU) course that addresses the feeding challenges, nutrient deficiencies, and dietary approaches used to enhance the quality of life for individuals with ASD.
Nutrition therapy for ASD is a personalized approach that aims to address the unique nutritional needs of individuals with ASD. This course provides an update on the prevalence of ASD as well as the three major initiatives issued by HHS in September 2025. It also addresses the feeding challenges common in ASD, such as food selectivity, sensory abnormalities, food neophobia, chewing and swallowing problems, weight issues, and mealtime stress.
Section two examines gastrointestinal (GI) issues, food sensitivities and allergies, and the role of oxidative stress in the pathology of ASD. Section three covers nutrient deficiencies common in ASD, such as vitamins A, B, C, D, E, calcium, iron, iodine, and zinc. Section four delves into the dietary approaches tested by parents of children with ASD, including gluten-free casein-free (GFCF), ketogenic, specific carbohydrate, high-fiber, low glutamate, low FODMAP, Mediterranean, low glycemic index, Feingold, Candida, and combination diets. The etiology, efficacy, and potential risks of each are discussed.
Section five reviews nutritional supplements that can help in ASD management, including dietary sulforaphane, omega 3’s, probiotics, coenzyme Q10, melatonin, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), magnesium, vitamin D, and leucovorin to treat cerebral folate deficiency (CFD), which is common in ASD. Section six provides a case study using the Nutrition Care Process and lists the steps of the interprofessional team approach.
This course was developed to assist practitioners in understanding the nuances of ASD and nutrition. Nutritional management for children with ASD necessitates a comprehensive strategy that encompasses dietary changes, supplementation, feeding therapy, and behavioral techniques. The key to achieving optimal nutrition for those with ASD lies in the collaboration among the entire interprofessional team.
Course #31-63 | 2025 | 59 pages | 20 posttest questions | Mobile-Friendly
Learning Objectives
- Compare three feeding challenges faced by individuals with ASD
- Differentiate between the gut-brain axis and oxidative stress in ASD
- Provide five examples of nutrient deficiencies common in ASD
- Investigate three dietary approaches consumed in the treatment of ASD
- Evaluate the efficacy of six nutritional supplements used in ASD management
- Demonstrate how the interprofessional team approach enhances ASD treatment
Course Directions
This online course provides instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. The course is text-based (reading) and the CE test is open-book (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while reading the course document).
Successful completion of this course involves passing an online test (80% required, 3 chances to take) and we ask that you also complete a brief course evaluation.
About the Author(s)
CE Information
Counseling
Professional Development Resources (PDR) has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5590. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. PDR is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Professional Development Resources is also approved as a provider of online (home study) continuing education by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling (#50-1635); the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135 - Note: New York counselors will receive 3 continuing education credits for completing this self-study course); the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists (#193); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635, currently reporting for 46 boards).
Marriage and Family Therapy
Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB #1046, ACE Program); the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling (#50-1635); the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists (#MFT-0100 - Note: New York MFTs will receive 3 continuing education credit(s) for completing this self-study course); the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists (#193); the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (#114); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635, currently reporting for 46 boards).
Psychology
Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Florida Board of Psychology (50-1635); the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of self-study continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635, currently reporting for 46 boards).
School Psychology
Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Florida Office of School Psychology (50-1635); the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635, currently reporting for 46 boards).
Social Work
Professional Development Resources, #1046, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 6/12/2025 - 6/12/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits. ACE format: Reading-based asynchronous distance learning.
Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling (#BAP346); the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0664 - Note: New York social workers will receive 3 continuing education credit(s) for completing this self-study course); the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635, currently reporting for 46 boards).
Teaching
Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for all programs and content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program); the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling (#BAP346), Board of Psychology, and Office of School Psychology; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145), State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135) and marriage and family therapists (#MFT-0100), and the State Board for Social Workers as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0664); the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists (#193); the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (#114) and State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635, currently reporting for 46 boards).
Customer Testimonials
Wow, this course is super current! Most of the content was from this year and even included all the new stuff on autism from HHS. Thank you!
