The claims that the SCD is beneficial for children with autism are based on the supposition they have too much harmful bacteria in their gut. While limited evidence suggests the SCD can be beneficial, there is a concern the restrictive nature of the diet may cause nutritional deficiencies. Parents adopting the SCD for their children are at risk of experiencing guilt when their expectations of improvement are dashed. The SCD is one of many unevidenced treatments offered for children with special needs that have the characteristic signs of being pseudoscientific.