Milk Intake and Echolalia: Parental Perspectives on Dietary Factors and Language Development in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Journal Type:Research Article
Subject:Education
Subject Field:Higher Education Research
Volume:197, Issue: 1, May, 2026
Publish Date:28 May 2026 8:58 am
Pages:1243-1245
Download:5
Views:11
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between milk intake and echolalia in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), focusing on parental perspectives regarding dietary factors and language development. A quasi-experimental design was employed involving 30 children with ASD, divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group followed a casein-free diet, while the control group maintained regular milk consumption. Results indicated that parents in the experimental group reported a reduction in repetitive echolalic speech and an increase in functional language use compared to the control group. However, findings also revealed variability, with some parents perceiving echolalia as a meaningful communicative tool rather than a deficit. The study suggests that dietary interventions may influence language behaviors in ASD, but parental perspectives highlight the importance of balancing biomedical approaches with identity-affirming views of echolalia.