Comments on: Autism and the Wheat & Gluten-Free Diet http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/ A blog for natural families with green values Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:33:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Anna Hackman http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-40684 Anna Hackman Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:14:02 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/#comment-40684 Tiffany, I have to second Green SAHM's comment. My oldest did not speak well by age 2 and we took him to a speech therapist to help him learn to speech. Many counties have programs and some insurance companies pick it up if you decide you don't want to use the county program. As a red flag to watch, as he continues to develop and read, it is possible that he may have dyslexia as well. I was told that speech disorders may be a precursor of dyslexia but not necessarily. Just so you keep your eyes open. It will be more evident when he starts to read and having trouble sounding out the words. My kids (3 out of 4) had phonemic awareness issues in that they could not sound out the words when they read. It is all curable but they need to be trained on how to read with a specialist. The earlier the better with intervention. Your son may also just be a late bloomer too. We all develop at our own time. But it is worth checking out with a therapist. Anna www.green-talk.com <em>Anna Hackman's last blog post..</em><a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/green-talk/jRYI/~3/241303230/' rel="nofollow">The Lunch Sak, Kooling off the Earth a Kid’s Way</a> Tiffany, I have to second Green SAHM’s comment. My oldest did not speak well by age 2 and we took him to a speech therapist to help him learn to speech. Many counties have programs and some insurance companies pick it up if you decide you don’t want to use the county program.

As a red flag to watch, as he continues to develop and read, it is possible that he may have dyslexia as well. I was told that speech disorders may be a precursor of dyslexia but not necessarily. Just so you keep your eyes open.

It will be more evident when he starts to read and having trouble sounding out the words. My kids (3 out of 4) had phonemic awareness issues in that they could not sound out the words when they read. It is all curable but they need to be trained on how to read with a specialist. The earlier the better with intervention.

Your son may also just be a late bloomer too. We all develop at our own time. But it is worth checking out with a therapist. Anna http://www.green-talk.com

Anna Hackman’s last blog post..The Lunch Sak, Kooling off the Earth a Kid’s Way

]]> By: Seedy http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-38135 Seedy Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:09:08 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/#comment-38135 Tiffany, Check out "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" (book) and www.pecanbread.com. The website is majoring in the successful healing taking place in the population with autism using the specific carb diet. We've been using it for nearly three years and I can't tell you the amazingly positive things we've seen and experienced. I believe it's also what Jenny M is using now. Tiffany,
Check out “Breaking the Vicious Cycle” (book) and http://www.pecanbread.com. The website is majoring in the successful healing taking place in the population with autism using the specific carb diet. We’ve been using it for nearly three years and I can’t tell you the amazingly positive things we’ve seen and experienced. I believe it’s also what Jenny M is using now.

]]> By: Froose Is The Healthy Drink for Kids | Natural Family Living Blog http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-36830 Froose Is The Healthy Drink for Kids | Natural Family Living Blog Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:07:47 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/#comment-36830 [...] I decided to cut my youngest son’s milk intake recently I was nervous. I just knew that plain water would only be tolerated in small amounts and [...] [...] I decided to cut my youngest son’s milk intake recently I was nervous. I just knew that plain water would only be tolerated in small amounts and [...]

]]> By: Tara http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-36410 Tara Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:04:58 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/#comment-36410 I see you've had another candida/yeast comment. I just wanted to add that yeast overgrowth can play havoc with the system. I'm not sure if your son is having any intestinal, sinus, low immune system or allergy problems but if he is, I'd really investigate this option, focusing on healing his gut and replenishing with colonizing flora. Many people tout the benefits of probiotics but don't realize two important things: the gut needs to be healed of inflammation to get the best benefit and you need to use multiple colonizing strains. Homemade kefir is great for that (not the kind with FOS, which also feeds bad bacteria). I hope you are seeing positive results from the changes. <em>Tara's last blog post..</em><a href='http://ehwalkabout.blogspot.com/2008/01/gong-to-school-in-india.html' rel="nofollow">Going to School in India</a> I see you’ve had another candida/yeast comment. I just wanted to add that yeast overgrowth can play havoc with the system. I’m not sure if your son is having any intestinal, sinus, low immune system or allergy problems but if he is, I’d really investigate this option, focusing on healing his gut and replenishing with colonizing flora. Many people tout the benefits of probiotics but don’t realize two important things: the gut needs to be healed of inflammation to get the best benefit and you need to use multiple colonizing strains. Homemade kefir is great for that (not the kind with FOS, which also feeds bad bacteria). I hope you are seeing positive results from the changes.

Tara’s last blog post..Going to School in India

]]> By: Brooke http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-32712 Brooke Thu, 03 Jan 2008 04:02:59 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/#comment-32712 Well I've read lots of the concepts behind why a wheat/ dairy free diet helps children with autism and my general belief is that autism is being misdiagnosed and that many of the children suffering from it actually have several food allergies, whether it be to soy or wheat or dairy. It would even make sense that the rates have been going up because since the introduction of GMO foods, hundreds of deaths have been reported from allergic reactions to these foods. Even organic food can often be contaminated by GMO food by accident. Many of the things associated with autism like seizures are also associated with having wheat allergies. Also once someone is allergic to something like that and continues to be exposed to it, it causes damage to their digestive system making it hard to absorb vitamins, minerals and omega three fatty acids. So basically, over time the person becomes malnourished which has a huge effect on their brain function, especially in young children and infants. I also am considering removing wheat and dairy from my daughter's diet. She has a soy allergy and has been having hard stools since she was around 8-9 months, after she started eating solid foods including grains. I discussed this issue today with a friend at work who is allergic to an ever growing amount of things and she said that's usually a sign of a gluten allergy or sensitivity. My daughter is also behind in her growth and seems to be struggling with things she excelled at before starting solid foods. So I am wondering if this could be the case and a diet change could benefit her. Well I’ve read lots of the concepts behind why a wheat/ dairy free diet helps children with autism and my general belief is that autism is being misdiagnosed and that many of the children suffering from it actually have several food allergies, whether it be to soy or wheat or dairy. It would even make sense that the rates have been going up because since the introduction of GMO foods, hundreds of deaths have been reported from allergic reactions to these foods. Even organic food can often be contaminated by GMO food by accident. Many of the things associated with autism like seizures are also associated with having wheat allergies. Also once someone is allergic to something like that and continues to be exposed to it, it causes damage to their digestive system making it hard to absorb vitamins, minerals and omega three fatty acids. So basically, over time the person becomes malnourished which has a huge effect on their brain function, especially in young children and infants. I also am considering removing wheat and dairy from my daughter’s diet. She has a soy allergy and has been having hard stools since she was around 8-9 months, after she started eating solid foods including grains. I discussed this issue today with a friend at work who is allergic to an ever growing amount of things and she said that’s usually a sign of a gluten allergy or sensitivity. My daughter is also behind in her growth and seems to be struggling with things she excelled at before starting solid foods. So I am wondering if this could be the case and a diet change could benefit her.

]]> By: Leza http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-32494 Leza Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:45:14 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/#comment-32494 I've had really bad brain fog for most of my life (I'm in my 40s), and candida was one thing (of many) my docs think was/is a culprit. Candida overgrowth is *very* difficult to get rid of. I still struggle with it, but if you keep sugar out of your diet and quit feeding it, it helps. Can't remember the medicine I took to try to get rid of it, but it was so nasty tasting, I remember once upchucking after taking it. Taking Acidophilus will help feed the good flora in your body and help keep things in balance. I took several refidgerated forms of it, but if you plan on using yogurt, make sure its organic with as little sugar added to it as possible. <em>Leza's last blog post..</em><a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NatureMom/~3/208305212/ignoring-travel-warnings.html' rel="nofollow">Ignoring Travel Warnings...</a> I’ve had really bad brain fog for most of my life (I’m in my 40s), and candida was one thing (of many) my docs think was/is a culprit.

Candida overgrowth is *very* difficult to get rid of. I still struggle with it, but if you keep sugar out of your diet and quit feeding it, it helps. Can’t remember the medicine I took to try to get rid of it, but it was so nasty tasting, I remember once upchucking after taking it.

Taking Acidophilus will help feed the good flora in your body and help keep things in balance. I took several refidgerated forms of it, but if you plan on using yogurt, make sure its organic with as little sugar added to it as possible.

Leza’s last blog post..Ignoring Travel Warnings…

]]> By: Nell http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-32476 Nell Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:31:06 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/#comment-32476 I know she also mentioned how important it was to get rid of the overgrowth of yeast (candida), too. I don't know if that was in the book, but she talked about it in her interviews. I can atest to this with my own health and putting my 3 year old son on the diet. He wasn't diagnosed with autism, but he was borderline aspergers. He has been in therapy for speech, sensory issues, and other things...plus on the diet...and he is doing so much better. And this isnt just about kids with extreme health problems, like autism. I wish more parents would understand the importance excellent health plays...I know I always thought I was feeding my kids healthy, but until 2007 I now see I never really was. <em>Nell's last blog post..</em><a href='http://casualfridayeveryday.com/2007/12/31/the-new-year-brings-changes/' rel="nofollow">The New Year Brings Changes</a> I know she also mentioned how important it was to get rid of the overgrowth of yeast (candida), too. I don’t know if that was in the book, but she talked about it in her interviews. I can atest to this with my own health and putting my 3 year old son on the diet. He wasn’t diagnosed with autism, but he was borderline aspergers. He has been in therapy for speech, sensory issues, and other things…plus on the diet…and he is doing so much better. And this isnt just about kids with extreme health problems, like autism. I wish more parents would understand the importance excellent health plays…I know I always thought I was feeding my kids healthy, but until 2007 I now see I never really was.

Nell’s last blog post..The New Year Brings Changes

]]> By: kids incorporated http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-32410 kids incorporated Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:30:45 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/#comment-32410 [...] Autism and the Wheat &amp Gluten-Free Diet [...] [...] Autism and the Wheat &amp Gluten-Free Diet [...]

]]> By: Leza http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-32351 Leza Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:18:54 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/#comment-32351 Your son remined me of our youngest, too, Tiffany. Lots of people had told us that the 3rd child/youngest doesn't *need* to speak because they are understood by their doting sibling(s). :-) My youngest daughter, now almost 10, barely spoke a word, but we thought, as did our pediatrician, that since she was the 3rd child, she didn't *need* to talk. (My mom had been *very* concerned.) We all knew what she wanted, and her siblings would get her things before she ever made a peep. Once, we had told our middle son to get his slippers. He was too into what he was doing and wouldn't get them. A few minutes later, out toddled our daughter with the slippers for him, one in each hand. :-) Yes, all 3 of my children are LD, but our doc thinks they'd all do better without gluten in their diet, and also with fish oils that we're *all* lacking in our diets. <em>Leza's last blog post..</em><a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NatureMom/~3/208305212/ignoring-travel-warnings.html' rel="nofollow">Ignoring Travel Warnings...</a> Your son remined me of our youngest, too, Tiffany. Lots of people had told us that the 3rd child/youngest doesn’t *need* to speak because they are understood by their doting sibling(s). :-)

My youngest daughter, now almost 10, barely spoke a word, but we thought, as did our pediatrician, that since she was the 3rd child, she didn’t *need* to talk. (My mom had been *very* concerned.) We all knew what she wanted, and her siblings would get her things before she ever made a peep.

Once, we had told our middle son to get his slippers. He was too into what he was doing and wouldn’t get them. A few minutes later, out toddled our daughter with the slippers for him, one in each hand. :-)

Yes, all 3 of my children are LD, but our doc thinks they’d all do better without gluten in their diet, and also with fish oils that we’re *all* lacking in our diets.

Leza’s last blog post..Ignoring Travel Warnings…

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-32325 Jennifer Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:21:55 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/12/31/autism-and-the-wheat-gluten-free-diet/#comment-32325 My son will be 2 in March and he doesn't say many words either. It's so hard for me because my oldest was almost talking in sentences by 18 months (also knew every letter, color, shape,etc....) so it's been hard for me to not compare them. He too is very smart and understands what I say. The examples of the bath and getting in the chair are just like us. He understands what I tell him but won't converse with me. I'm hoping that over the next few months he will really take off with his vocabulary. We read books every day and he gets talked to all the time! I'm so new at the "gluten" thing so I'm not even sure where to begin. About 2-3 months ago I really got on the "green" bandwagon and have since switched to all organic foods and milk, removed all plastic from our kitchen, we use Earth friendly/non-chemical house cleaners, etc.... I am interested to see what you do and if this helps your son. Please continue to post your ideas and findings! Thanks!! My son will be 2 in March and he doesn’t say many words either. It’s so hard for me because my oldest was almost talking in sentences by 18 months (also knew every letter, color, shape,etc….) so it’s been hard for me to not compare them. He too is very smart and understands what I say. The examples of the bath and getting in the chair are just like us. He understands what I tell him but won’t converse with me. I’m hoping that over the next few months he will really take off with his vocabulary. We read books every day and he gets talked to all the time! I’m so new at the “gluten” thing so I’m not even sure where to begin. About 2-3 months ago I really got on the “green” bandwagon and have since switched to all organic foods and milk, removed all plastic from our kitchen, we use Earth friendly/non-chemical house cleaners, etc…. I am interested to see what you do and if this helps your son. Please continue to post your ideas and findings! Thanks!!

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