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Posts:
3
Registered:
4/4/08
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Apr 20, 2008 1:21 PM
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My 4 year-old son was diagnosed as mildly autistic with sensory integration issues a little over a year and a half ago. None of the medical professionals or therapists we have been dealing with for almost two years suggested the GF/CF diet to us but three moms did so when I get the same advice three times from trusted sources, I start to take it very seriously. The third mother is a friend of mine, who herself has a 13 year-old autistic son who was once regressive. When I got back in touch with her after finding out that she has also been juggling an interior design career and the full-time job of being a mother to a special needs child, she suggested the following:
1.) A GF-CF diet and add in a good GF multi-vitamin. A lot of autistic children do have nutritional defeciencies. The theory in the medical community is that the gluten and casein proteins don't break down properly and they create an opiate like high in the brain, thus leading to some of the autistic behaviors - for my son it would be things like remaining fascinated when watching spinning objects or running and thowing himself on the couch over and over again to get the extra-deep pressure input he craves because of his sensory issues. In any case, now that we have him on the diet, I see a correlation between the frequency/length of the autistic behaviors after he has ingested something he ought not have. We are taking him to a Gastro-intestinal specialist in June to test for the gluten intolerances because the GF/CF diet is not cheap or easy, especially at the beginning when you are trying to figure it out and find foods your child will actually eat. My son was already a picky-eater which goes right along with some of his aversions (textures, etc.) due to his sensory issues and also craving the foods (Goldfish crackers, pretzels, McDonalds french fries - they have gluten in them even though they are a potato product because of what they fry them in, pizza, cereal - bowl after bowl - ) that are filled with gluten and oftentimes casein. A bowl of cereal for a kid with gluten and casein intolerances is like an opiate high waiting to happen. I think I am so for this diet now because after being on the diet with my son, I realize that I also have my own reactions to gluten and casein - stomach aches, irritable, tired, etc. but the difference is that I can identify, communicate and self-regulate these reactions better than my son. I would recommend trying the diet and documenting your child's behavior when you stay on it and when you "cheat" to see if you see a difference. For some parents this diet has had a night and day effect on their child's behavior. I used to call Whole Foods "Whole Paycheck" but now I thank my lucky stars we got one in my town last year because they make GF/CF shopping a breeze! Also, watch especially the red and yellow food dyes in foods - there have been some links to hyperactivity. And one last thing, do you notice abnormal stools often - diarreah, pebbles, watery? Or maybe you are noticing none at all which could mean they may be suffering from indigestion. If you are noticing this frequently I would be inclined to say it is worth looking into with your doctors or seeing if it changes when on the GF/CF diet. I would consult a doctor about trying the GF/CF diet to make sure that you are doing it correctly and not inadvertently creating other problems or deficiencies. Another GF/CF mom from my son's special ed preschool swears by Cod-liver oil which has the Omega-3s we ALL really ought to have to improve brain functioning.
2.) Reduce environmental toxins in your immediate environment as much as possibe. My friend also told me to try to go green as much as possible - i.e. detergents, no Scotchgaurding fabrics, no harsh cleansers, etc. The theory here is that autistic children may have started off (or now be dealing with) a compromised immune system so you are basically able to boost their immunity by not attacking it everyday with things chemicals their bodies have to work hard to eliminate. I am a designer, and would probably never be described as a hippie by anyone, but all of this is forcing me to take their arguments about McDonald's, processed food, and the environment MUCH more seriously than I ever did. I may be made of steel (or so I have thought in the past) but my son apparently is not so we are changing many things about our lifestyle no matter what the expense or inconvenience because obviously his health, happiness and success are my first priorities...
3.) Vaccines - get all of your medical records together and see if you can figure out what may have triggered the autism and until you are able to, avoid any more vaccinations (where there any fevers, seizures, illnesses after a vaccination?) Sure, the medical community says there is no evidence of a link between autism and vaccinations but I don't understand how they could have made up their mind already - maybe because they are ones that have been selling us the vaccinations that may have been the environmental trigger for the autism? Yes, they should be concerned about the diseases they are trying to prevent but not to the point where they create a new epidemic that becomes, in many cases, a lifelong drain on a family and its community (taxpayers). With so much anecdotal evidence against vaccinations (Jenny McCarthy and thousands of others), there needs to be more research done before I would ever subject my son to another vaccination just because my ignorant pediatrician says so. It is NOT mandatory to have vaccinations for schools - there are exceptions for religious reasons and having an autistic child should be medical reason enough to not force more vaccinations on a child. If there is a chance that their immune systems can not handle the exposure to these diseases, minute as it may be, why risk it?
I know I have been pretty long-winded but I hope some of this information has been helpful to at least one person. Autism is a puzzle that even the doctors don't have figured out yet so I feel it is necessary to share as much information as possible with other families who are going through the same struggles.
Best wishes to all of you,
Designermom
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Posts:
4
Registered:
3/14/08
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Apr 12, 2008 4:14 PM
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My son is autistic too. He's 4 years and still in diapers!!! I've heard of that diet but everytime I take him to the doctor they don't mention it to me. He's in special pre-K and they don't follow a diet for the kids either. He's social skills have improved a lot, but he doesn't wanna eat real food... just milk, oreos, chips and maybe McD's fries and nuggets. He's able to comunicate very well with words since he started pre-K. Is your son in school? That helps a lot!
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Posts:
2
Registered:
3/28/08
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Apr 11, 2008 7:19 AM
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My son Rocco is six years old, he is autistic, perfect health and motor skills but no speech, poor social skills, still in diapers and tantrums. I have been reading and seeing alot about this GFCF diet and the Chelation therapy, but I have also heard alot about this small window of oppotrtunity for these to work. Is this true, have I missed my chance to help my son?
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