Effect of a Novel Mediterranean‐Style Diet ( MIND ‐ DASE ) on Behavioural and Developmental Outcomes in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Propensity Score‐Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the efficacy of the MIND-DASE (Mediterranean-style Intervention for Neuro-Developmental Diversity and Autism Symptom Evaluation) nutritional model in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We hypothesized that increasing dietary diversity acts as a clinical catalyst for rapid behavioural improvement. METHODS: In this propensity score-matched retrospective cohort study (N = 188), children in the diet group (n = 94) were matched 1:1 with non-compliant controls (n = 94) based on age, gender and baseline symptom severity (ATEC/ABC). Behavioural and developmental outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: At 6 months, the MIND-DASE group demonstrated a significantly more rapid reduction in Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) total scores compared to controls (-18.4 ± 21.7 vs. -3.6 ± 16.2; p < 0.0001). Significant superiority was observed across all ABC subscales, including irritability (p = 0.0001) and hyperactivity (p = 0.0001). While both groups showed significant developmental progress in ATEC scores by the 12-month mark, the dietary intervention induced a markedly earlier clinical response in behavioural symptoms within the first 6 months. CONCLUSION: The MIND-DASE model induces a rapid and significant improvement in aberrant behaviours. While long-term standard care eventually leads to developmental gains, the nutritional intervention serves as a critical catalyst, accelerating clinical improvement in the early stages of treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06662916.