Dietary Management of Autism & ADHD
- An Evidence-based Approach
Food and Behaviour Research
FAB for Parents
Does diet really matter for child behaviour and learning?
- What's the evidence?
- What does it mean in practice?
If you're looking for reliable, independent and evidence-based information that can help you to answer these questions - you've come to the right place.
FAB Research specialises in raising awareness about the influence diet can have on behaviour and want to support you with making a practical difference day to day.
ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, dyslexia and dyspraxia
Whether or not food and diet can make any difference for children with 'ADHD' (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) remains a topic of much debate.
Even among professional and research experts in ADHD and related behaviour and learning difficulties - which include autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) dyslexia, or dyspraxia, among others – there is much controversy and confusion about the role of nutrition, and its relevance for the management of these conditions.
What’s more, most professionals working in health, education or other areas relevant to these conditions still receive no training in this area.
In the mainstream media, coverage of these issues typically ranges from 'miracle stories' to 'myth-busting' ones (often in parallel or alternating by the day or week). As for social media... needless to say, the scope and variety of information there covers even more extremes. But in both cases, it can be hard to know what to trust.
“I cannot thank Dr Alex Richardson enough for the help that she has given my family.
She has transformed our daughter’s life and has given us so much hope for her future"
- Parent of an Autistic child
A ‘common sense’ approach to diet and behaviour
David Rex, one of FAB’s expert speakers, is a Specialist Dietitian for Highland Council, working in Health & Social Care – Children’s Services.
He has a lead public health role for Food & Health in schools, nurseries and Children’s Residential Units; and for over 20 years, he has been providing specialist Dietetic advice for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and ADHD as well as other conditions affecting mental as well as physical health, wellbeing and performance.
He believes a common-sense approach to this hot topic is essential.
Read David Rex's guiding principles on dietary approaches to ASD or ADHD.
Take part
New children’s research study looking at the impact of Omega-3 on behaviour
We are looking for Children aged between 6 and 12 to join our trial to find out if supplementing with omega-3 could help with:
- Attention and concentration
- Mood swings or anxiety
- Sleep difficulties
- Hyperactivity or impulsivity
They are what you feed them
"What your child eats can have a profound effect on his or her ability to read, write, concentrate and remember things. In fact, the right foods can actually improve your child's ability to learn, and can help with everyday difficulties in mood and behaviour, as well as conditions like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia and Autistic Spectrum Disorders.
"In this cutting-edge book, Dr Alex Richardson, the UK's number one authority on how nutrition impacts children's behaviour and learning, exposes the truth about what children eat - or fail to eat."
Find out more here.
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Special offer for parents
Child behaviour and learning 5 webinar* package - £49.99
A collection of 5 webinars which cover topics on the links between food and behaviour, fussy eating, diet and Autism spectrum, ADHD and neurodiverse minds. Will be yours to watch in your own time and include handouts and further information on each topic.
Each webinar features specialist speakers including;
Dr Alex Richardson, renowned researcher, educator, speaker and published author; and founder Director of the FAB research Charity.
Dr Rachel Gow RNutr, Nutritional Neuroscientist, Neuropsychologist, Public Speaker and Author.
David Rex, RD – Specialist Lead Dietician for Child Health, Highland Council
*Webinars are usually priced at £20 each.
Or Join FAB as an Associate to get FREE access to these and all FAB’s other webinars for just £5 / month
"Dr Richardson has the ability to bridge the gap between her knowledge from the forefront of science and my need to find good information as a parent.
More than that – she genuinely cares about helping parents access up to date information on nutrition and behaviour."
- Naomi, Parent of a child with Special Educational Needs
Learn more about the individual events in this webinar package
How children's diets affect their health, wellbeing and performance - and what parents, professionals and policymakers can do to help
Find out what the latest research shows about selective / avoidant eating in children, and its possible causes and consequences.
Given the right information, almost any child’s diet and eating habits can be helped to maximise their potential
How food and diet can affect symptoms of ADHD and related conditions - including Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and the Autistic Spectrum
Learn practical and effective ways to improve diet and nutrition in children and adults with ASD and related difficulties with mood, behaviour or learning - at home, in schools and in the workplace
Join Us as a FAB Associate
Become a FAB Associate and gain exclusive access to a unique and ever-growing library of FAB resources, including regular webinars and other events - and in-depth answers to your questions - from our multi-disciplinary network of expert researchers and professionals.
By joining us as an Associate, you will also be helping us to continue and extend the work we do as a small, independent, researcher-led charity.
By continuing to share the extensive knowledge and insights that FAB has acquired throughout its 20+ years of operation, and integrating these with new and emerging findings from both research and best practice, we aim to inspire more people to appreciate and act on the ever-increasing evidence that:
Nutrition really does matter for healthy brain development and function.
Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)
what we do
Important Notice:
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.