Neurodevelopmental GI Clinic
Specialized Digestive Care for Children With Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Neurodevelopmental GI Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
The Neurodevelopmental GI Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital provides specialized evaluation and treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, developmental delay and other neurodevelopmental conditions who have digestive symptoms. Our team understands the sensory, behavioral, communication and feeding issues that can complicate gastrointestinal care for these children.
The clinic is led by pediatric gastroenterology experts with more than 20 years of experience caring for GI symptoms in children with autism and complex developmental needs. Kent Williams, MD, an attending pediatric gastroenterologist at Nationwide Children’s, has a special clinical and research interest in gastrointestinal disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder. His research focuses on functional GI disorders such as abdominal pain, constipation and reflux in children with autism.
Nationwide Children's Hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Gastroenterology and GI Surgery.
Conditions We Treat
Children with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions can have the same gastrointestinal conditions as other children, including constipation, reflux, abdominal pain and feeding difficulties. But these symptoms may be harder to recognize when a child communicates differently, has sensory sensitivities, has motor or cognitive challenges or shows discomfort through changes in behavior.
The Neurodevelopmental GI Clinic is designed for children with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, developmental delay and related neurodevelopmental conditions who have chronic or difficult-to-manage gastrointestinal concerns.
Children may benefit from our clinic if they have:
- Chronic constipation
- Constipation that has not improved with initial treatment
- Toilet-training challenges related to autism or other neurodevelopmental needs
- Abdominal pain, reflux or other chronic GI symptoms
- Feeding difficulties or highly restricted eating
- Poor weight gain or possible nutrient deficiencies
- Fecal incontinence or stooling accidents
- Behavior changes that may be related to gastrointestinal discomfort
- Any chronic GI condition that requires neurodevelopmentally informed care
Our Treatment Focus
The Neurodevelopmental GI Clinic is part of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s. The clinic provides neurodevelopmentally informed gastrointestinal care for children and families who may need a more tailored approach to evaluation, communication, treatment planning and follow-up. Our areas of focus include:
Bowel Management
Constipation and toileting problems can be especially challenging for children with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, developmental delay and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Some children may have trouble recognizing body signals, sitting on the toilet, tolerating bathroom routines or communicating discomfort.
Our team evaluates whether constipation or another GI condition may be contributing to toileting difficulties. We develop bowel management plans that consider the child’s medical needs, sensory sensitivities, developmental level, communication needs, motor function and family routines.
Feeding Difficulties
Children with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions may have feeding challenges related to sensory preferences, limited food variety, swallowing concerns, reflux, constipation or other gastrointestinal conditions. Some children may also have poor weight gain or possible nutrient deficiencies.
Our team evaluates possible medical causes of feeding difficulties and works with dietitians and feeding therapy programs when additional support is needed.
Brain-Gut Interactions
For some children with autism, intellectual disability, developmental delay or other neurodevelopmental conditions, GI discomfort may appear as behavior changes rather than clear complaints of pain. These changes may include irritability, aggression, sleep problems, trouble sitting still, changes in attention or increased difficulty with daily routines.
The Neurodevelopmental GI Clinic evaluates whether symptoms such as constipation, reflux, abdominal pain or other digestive problems may be contributing to these changes. When needed, our team collaborates with psychology, neurology, developmental pediatrics and other specialists to support the child’s overall care.
Why Choose Nationwide Children’s for Neurodevelopmental GI Care?
Children with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions may need a different approach to digestive care. Our team combines pediatric GI expertise with an understanding of the sensory, behavioral, feeding, communication, cognitive and motor needs that often affect care for these children.
Neurodevelopmentally Informed Gastroenterology
Our team has more than 20 years of experience caring for GI symptoms in children with autism and complex developmental needs. We understand that digestive problems may affect behavior, feeding, sleep, toileting and quality of life.
Individualized Care Plans
Each child receives a care plan developed with the family and referring provider. The plan may include diagnosis, treatment recommendations, bowel management steps, feeding or nutrition support and follow-up needs.
Coordinated Care
When GI symptoms overlap with feeding concerns, toileting challenges, behavior changes, communication differences, motor challenges or developmental needs, our team can coordinate with dietitians, feeding therapy programs, psychology, neurology, developmental pediatrics and other specialists.
Research-Driven Care
Nationwide Children’s participates in research to improve the understanding and treatment of GI issues in children with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions. Areas of research have included the relationship between the microbiome and autism, the connection between autism-related behaviors and constipation, prediction of children at risk for loss of colonic function after years of chronic constipation and interventions for severe constipation or fecal incontinence.
Advancing Care for Children With Autism, Neurodevelopmental Conditions and GI Symptoms
The Neurodevelopmental GI Clinic is connected to clinical research focused on improving how gastrointestinal conditions are diagnosed and treated in children with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Research led by Nationwide Children’s experts has focused on functional GI disorders in children with autism, including abdominal pain and constipation. The clinic’s work also supports better understanding of how GI discomfort may affect behavior, feeding, toileting and daily life for children with neurodevelopmental conditions.
Physician Referrals
Families should talk with their child’s primary care provider or specialist about whether a referral to the Neurodevelopmental GI Clinic is appropriate.
When placing a referral to Gastroenterology, referring providers should:
- Indicate that the patient has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, developmental delay or another neurodevelopmental condition.
- Specifically request that the patient be seen in the Neurodevelopmental GI Clinic.
For referrals, call (614) 722-3450 or fax (614) 722-4000.