My 3 year old autistic son has digestion problems. I know this, but his pediatrician just feels his stomach and says he's "fine." When he has a bowel movement, he seems to be in great pain--he arches his back and does a little "dance" on his tiptoes (he moves his legs up and down really fast). When i change the diapers, it doesn't look like his food was ever digested. He eats three times more food than what a "normal" child his age eats, and his stomach gets really hard and he looks like he's 5 months pregnant after eating a meal. He would eat constantly if i let him, yet he barely gains weight (he only weighs 30 pounds, and he used to not even be on the doctor's growth chart, now he's in the 7th percentile). He's on the gf/cf/everything free diet. He just eats fresh vegetables, potatoes, and yams. I don't have him on any supplements at this time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! I live in Pennsylvania, USA.

What you describe is very similar to the description of many of the kids in Andy Wakefield's study. He recommends a plain abdominal x-ray to look for faecal impaction (pain, distension and toe walking are all indicators of it). If a mass is found they use a couple of weeks of mineral oil to soften the stool and then a dose of picolax to clear the blockage

Originally posted by tish:
My 3 year old autistic son has digestion problems. I know this, but his pediatrician just feels his stomach and says he's "fine." When he has a bowel movement, he seems to be in great pain--he arches his back and does a little "dance" on his tiptoes (he moves his legs up and down really fast). When i change the diapers, it doesn't look like his food was ever digested. He eats three times more food than what a "normal" child his age eats, and his stomach gets really hard and he looks like he's 5 months pregnant after eating a meal. He would eat constantly if i let him, yet he barely gains weight (he only weighs 30 pounds, and he used to not even be on the doctor's growth chart, now he's in the 7th percentile). He's on the gf/cf/everything free diet. He just eats fresh vegetables, potatoes, and yams. I don't have him on any supplements at this time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! I live in Pennsylvania, USA.

Reply; Tish, have you seen a DAN dr. ? Jaqui, who replied also, is a nurse, I'd follow her ideas but I would also find a DAN dr. who undstands the problems of ASD and wil be able to order the right tests that your regular Dr's wont. Grandma Peg

Grandma Peg makes a very good point. A DAN! doctor is definitely a must if you can get one. I always overlook this one as I am based in Scotland and we don't have any DAN! doctors. There are a few in the UK but they tend not to be doctors but researchers who are interested in the protocol and hence attend the conferences (they also get a lot of mixed reviews from those who have consulted them). If the US is anything like the UK make sure you find out who is the best in your area. If you are registered by attending one of the DAN! conferences then you might be paying for someone who is not as experienced as they need to be to do the job right. Although it seems frustrating to wait a good rule of thumb is the longer the waiting list the better the clinician.

Jaqui

i agree you sure need a supportive doctor! Sounds alike like my son- if your son's track in not functioning properly he may not have developed the ability to produce enzymes to break down food and process the nutrition from the food he eats- he's so little, there are over the counter digestive enzymes and of coarse the glueten free casien free diet (removes protiens hardest to digest) however, I would do nothing but maybe the diet without support of a doctor- many over the counter enzymes have pineapple in them, you could try including some pineapple, but if its a blockage(sure sounds like it adds up in that direction) I have no idea how enzymes would help that - it maybe both-blockage and lack of enzymes!

So excited! I took memehegan's advice and got my autistic nine-year-old an over-the-counter digestive multi-enzyme formula (contains pancreatin, amylase, protease, bromelain, papain, pepsin, ox bile, lipase, cellulase), and I have seen a marked difference in just one week! Where as he used to have alternating diarrhea/constipation and "acid burps", he says he now feels fine and his stools are soft. He also has been able to control his temper so much better since he feels better overall!!. I told him that the pills were for his stomach problems but did not indicate that it might help his behavior also. What a wonderful find! My son is a high functioning autistic with emotional problems but takes no other medications. I will now try the experiment on his little sister with more severe autism and constipation.