Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children with Autism: A Long-Term Study (+Video)

Celiac.com 10/27/2025 - Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children with Autism: A Long-Term StudyParents and clinicians have long reported that children with autism often struggle with stomach and digestive problems. These problems range from abdominal pain and bloating to constipation and diarrhea. Many of these symptoms do not appear to have an obvious medical cause. While earlier research showed a link between autism and gastrointestinal problems, most of those studies were limited in size or time frame. This study set out to follow a large group of children over multiple years to see whether these problems continue as children grow and whether they influence other areas of life such as sleep, mood, or behavior.

How the Study Was Designed

The study included 475 children, with 322 diagnosed with autism and 153 with typical development. Participants were assessed at several time points between ages two and twelve. Physicians interviewed parents about nine common gastrointestinal issues, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and swallowing difficulties. Importantly, children with known medical conditions like celiac disease, colitis, or diagnosed allergies were not counted in the group with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms. This allowed the researchers to focus on unexplained digestive problems rather than those with a clear medical diagnosis.

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In addition to gastrointestinal concerns, the study measured sleep, social communication, repetitive behaviors, emotional health, and sensory challenges. This broad view helped researchers understand not just whether digestive symptoms were common, but also how they might connect to other challenges children face.

What the Study Found

Children with autism had more gastrointestinal symptoms than their peers at every age point studied. Not only were these problems more frequent, but they were also more likely to be persistent, appearing across multiple years. Many children experienced more than one gastrointestinal problem at the same time, such as both constipation and abdominal pain.

The most commonly reported symptoms included constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain. Nearly half of the children with autism had gastrointestinal symptoms at some point in the study, and many continued to have these problems over several years.

Links Between Digestive Symptoms and Behavior

One of the most important findings was the connection between digestive health and other aspects of a child’s well-being. Children with persistent gastrointestinal problems tended to have greater difficulties in multiple areas, including:

• Increased sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep or frequent waking
• More challenges with communication and social interaction
• Higher levels of repetitive and restrictive behaviors
• Greater sensory sensitivities
• Stronger emotional difficulties such as anxiety or irritability

The research suggests that gastrointestinal discomfort may contribute to or worsen behavioral and emotional challenges. For example, a child who cannot communicate stomach pain may show irritability, aggression, or changes in sleep, which can be mistakenly attributed only to autism itself rather than an underlying physical cause.

Why These Findings Matter

For parents, the study highlights the importance of paying close attention to digestive health in children with autism. Stomach discomfort is not always easy for children with communication difficulties to express, and symptoms may show up as behavior changes rather than direct complaints of pain. For doctors, the findings emphasize the need for regular screening and for taking parent concerns seriously, even if symptoms are vague or inconsistent.

The study also shows that treating gastrointestinal symptoms could improve overall quality of life. Improvements in sleep, communication, and mood may follow when underlying digestive problems are identified and managed. This underlines the value of a more holistic approach to care that looks at both behavioral and physical health.

What This Could Mean for People with Celiac Disease

Although children with diagnosed celiac disease were excluded from this study, the findings are still highly relevant. Both autism and celiac disease involve gastrointestinal problems that can persist without clear or immediate diagnosis. Just as untreated celiac disease can lead to long-term health and behavioral consequences, untreated gastrointestinal problems in autism appear to negatively affect overall well-being. For families affected by celiac disease, this research reinforces the broader point that digestive symptoms should never be ignored, even when the cause is unclear. It highlights the importance of proper evaluation, dietary management, and early intervention.

Conclusion

This long-term study demonstrates that children with autism are significantly more likely to experience ongoing gastrointestinal problems compared to their peers. These symptoms are not only persistent but also strongly tied to challenges with sleep, communication, behavior, and sensory processing. For parents and clinicians, the study offers a clear message: monitoring digestive health is crucial. For the celiac community, the research adds to the growing evidence that unresolved gastrointestinal issues have far-reaching effects and that identifying and managing them can play a vital role in improving quality of life.

Read more at: journals.sagepub.com

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