gluten free caisen free diet decreases behaviors - Autism Spectrum Message Board

memehegan · 05-28-2002, 06:57 PM

I just thought many of us are using diet and many other approaches to treat autism. I thought it would be great to have it's own topic. My son has been on the diet two years now, his IQ has gone up ten points, he has and advanced vocabulary, and has learned to read and type in the last six months. Still not good at writing though. I myself have ADHD and bipolar and have just recently started the diet. I have noticed that Jays behaviors become very aggressive when he eats something he shouldnt and he also loses bladder control. Does anyone else have this happen?

RachelK · 05-28-2002, 08:01 PM

Hey meme,

I have recently noticed that Jed has some problems with bladder control. I actually took him to the doctor for this. She said sometimes boys will do this. I have read that some medication can cause this. You don't think that some of his medication could be the problem?

Rachel

memehegan · 05-28-2002, 08:29 PM

No because he doesn't have the problem consistently during the day, only when he eats something and then even at 11 he goes through more than 6 changes of clothes in a day and the urine smells horrific (Ive had him tested several times when it smells for infection and absolutely not). He is consistently wetting at night and that may very well be meds but he doesnt take anything at all past 2 pm. I think some of the protiens are seeping into the bloodstream and crossing signals in the area of the brain that controls bladder retention. He has no idea that he has wet himself when it happens. He is also very hyper, bouncy and aggressive.

leveedawg · 05-30-2002, 10:57 AM

What is the best way to get started on the diet? I have a 3-1/2 yr old that we are really just getting the therapy/intervention ball rolling on. He's non-verbal, not potty trained, doesn't quite get the whole fork and spoon thing, doesn't read or stack blocks...but I wouldn't trade his attributes with any other autistic child. He's loving, loves big hugs when I walk in the door, loves to laugh, go outside, no sensory issues, eats like a horse, and makes great eye contact. My wife and I are learning, and have learned alot oover the past few months, and I think this diet is something we need to try. Any comments or general suggestions would be appreciated.

memehegan · 05-30-2002, 05:11 PM

Well I will try one more time to post the site I use for support,(last time it didnt seem to post) there are over 2600 families that post there and keep in contact with each other there. I know this weekend several diet 'pro's' (families who have been doing this for years and years ) posted a starting list for a coulple of new families. Myself, I had no computor so I learned of diet in Parents Magazine March 2000. It was an article of a child who developed severe autistic symptoms at 18 months and the parents - one a doctor were told there is nonononoononnnono hope. By kindergarten that child was completely cured- he started the diet at age 2 1/2 or 3 I believe. My son is not 'cured' completely but he has made so much progress. The site as Yahoogroups. you just go there and type in GFCFkids.
So I began by eliminating milk products and almost eliminating wheat. Jay was almost 8 so it was tricky transitioning him to the diet. My niece is allergic to milk so my sister gave me lots of clues of what fancy words on food labels also ment milk. I began with chocolate rice milk because chocolate milk was special and unusual for jay and he was more receptive to drinking it, I started with changing cold cereals to rice crispes in the long run they are not OK but they were OK for about the first week. We avoided all processed meats- it's tricky to find them GFCF and also the nitrates often cause behaviors. For meals we rice, potato, fresh cooked veggies and meats. Like taco salad and hamburgers and homemade french fries. I switched to cooking everything in light soy oil, although other oils are gfcf, soy oil seems to be the easiest tolerated for my Jacob. The topic posted here in the autism folder this week regarding mercury posioning and another one about an interesting letter (or something to that effect) were both incredibly acurate and helpful even to me who's been doing this for 2 plus years now. I have lots of recipies to share if you decide to do this. I also found a 'soycyber' chip that is glueten, caisen and corn free and delicious. Oh yeah definitely avoid corn syrup products- we don't even use table sugar becuase it digests way tooo fast- we use 'raw sugar' also know as turbinado sugar- the molasses is still in it, it tastes great and Jacob is much less hyper on it- as you read those artilcels I mentioned I am sure you will begin to understand its all about digestion. if you supplement with even one thing I would recommend a rice based digestive enzyme called allzyme Jay eats it with every meal, I dissolve a capsule in water and he drinks it. He takes it with every med. It is an over the counter thing that I but at our healthfood store. It runs 12.95 to 22.95 but the difference is incredible weather you begin the diet or not. Also I have read that research shows that by adding the enzyme it helps the gut to heal and begin producing the serotonin the nerves need to function!!! Good luck -Meme