Autism - The "Gut" Connection   Everywhere you turn these days there is more and more talk of autism and autistic spectrum disorders.   Clearly one of the most elusive disorders of humankind, there is very little consensus as to which treatments seem to be the most effective in the majority of cases.  As unique as the disorders themselves, so are the responses to treatment.     There is a great deal of evidence emerging over the past decade or so relating the disorders to improper functioning of the gastrointestinal system - or the "gut".  As much as these are disorders of the brain's ability to perceive it's environment, they are also disorders of the gut - which, consequently, has been termed the second brain due to the neurological control it exerts over digestive function independent of the brain.   The individual functions of the gut including movement and breakdown of foods, detoxification, absorption, elimination and immune function are typically malfunctioning in the autistic individual.  This leads to nutrient deficiencies, improper immune response, food sensitivities, alterations in brain chemistry and much, much more.  Understanding and treating these issues may provide a solid foundation for other treatment modalities to be built upon!!!