Learning Difficulties and Oxidative Stress in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of the Role of Nutritional Interventions

Abstract

Although much is known about how to educate children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with program success strategies commonly suggested, autistic children are nevertheless at increased risk of poor academic performance. It has been documented that autistic children have significant behavioral problems that influence their learning abilities. Among these problems are poor social skills, impaired language and communication skills, hyperactivity, and repetitive behavior, making these young students at risk of poor long-term school adjustment. Based on our understanding of the etiological mechanisms of ASD, we have examined potential methods of improving the learning ability of autistic children through nutritional interventions that may relieve oxidative stress, which is one of the main etiologies of this disorder that control other contributing factors known to affect general cognition (e.g., brain inflammation and glutamate excitotoxicity). In this study, we have also examined the relationship between nutrient supplementation and the improvement of learning progress in autistic children.