SAN DIEGO -- Autism is one of the fastest growing disorders to strike American children. The tough-to-treat condition affects one in every 166 children.

Now, some researchers have found that changing an autistic child's diet could change his or her life forever.

Trevor, 3, was born with autism.

Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, who received his medical degree from Stanford, has worked with autistic children for decades, not only using traditional medicine, but also trying alternative approaches.

Mehl-Madrona's treatment for Trevor was not a drug. Instead, he changed Trevor's diet to a wheat-free, gluten-free, organic diet.

Now, the new diet seems to be working, Mehl-Madrona said.

Trevor's mother noticed that when he stopped eating gluten, found in wheat products, and casein, found in milk, he started walking and talking.

"I really don't know how to explain that, but it's common when you eliminate these particular substances from the diet," Mehl-Madrona said.

One theory is that foods containing wheat and milk may actually work as a narcotic and cause some of the behaviors of autism.

"Really the most frustrating thing about working with autism is, for the most part, we don't have a clue what to do. We just have to try different things," Mehl-Madrona said.

Susan Haubrock is trying a different approach for her daughter, Reanne.

When Reanne was four years old, she refused to wear clothes and was just starting to talk.

Then Haubrock started Reanne on vitamin therapy.

"We were on the vitamins for maybe two weeks and we noticed all the sudden she started cooing."

Mehl-Madrona says vitamins B-12, B-6, folic acid, omega-three fatty acids and magnesium have all shown a strong effect on autism.

When you super-saturate the brain with nutrition, you can override some defects, Mehl-Madrona said.

Reanne, now 7 years old, is schooled at home and is learning her "3 Rs."

Mehl-Madrona admits this therapy does not work for everyone.