Looking for Anyone Who Has Tried a Gluten Free / Casein Free Diet

Hello,

I have the same situation here with my 8 year old. We do the GFCF diet even though he is not on the spectrum. He does have issues that are similiar to the spectrum issues. He is more ADHD and has learning delays. Thru our journey of trying to help him, we discovered he is celiac and colitis. This causes symptoms very close to the spectrum issue. I have found that he has terrific days and hyper days. I think it is cause to his tummy being damaged. He is allergic to almost everything. (he has behavior reactions) I have him on the feingold diet too(adhd). We do give him supplements and take him to a doctor to help with his food adversions. I think we have been to every doctor in Chicago land. Diet does work. It seems hard but really isn't once you get the hang of things. Let me know if you need help. This is a long process but your child is worth it. We have been doing the diet for 3 years. Food seems to be the biggest factor if he is have a great day or not. Chemicals effect him so we are organic. I discovered that he is not allergic to chicken or eggs. He is allergic to the antibotic they feed the chicken, beef and pork. Sorry for rattling on. I am trying to tell you what I have discovered thru the years. We still have a long way to go:)

I have a son (age 6.5) with a similar situation. A friend recommended www.tacanow.org who is very knowledgeable in the subject. I think they have a 10 week to gluten free/casein free diet plan. I've tried to do the casein free, but my son will sneak food and then get migranes and have very irratic behavior. Good luck!

I've done probiotics and omega 3's with some improvement of behavior. The neuropsych says it could be ADHD as well as SPD. We have started some allergy testing too. Just keep doing what your doing. Your a good mom and this is just hard stuff to work through.
Good Luck!
C.

TACA's Chicago area chapter will be holding a New Parent
Seminar on Saturday, November 1, 2008.
Topics covered include: What's in the Diagnosis?
Surviving the First Year after Diagnosis,
Traditional Therapies — ABA, Floortime, RDI, etc.
Gluten- and Casein-Free Diet,
Who Pays for What? — Understanding Insurance and state services, Biomedical Interventions
Legal Issues —Advocating in the School Districts,etc.
How to Stay Organized and Plan Ahead
How TACA Can Support Parents in the Autism Journey

This seminar is a fantastic jump start for any newly diagnosed family and a great source information for any family who is already on this journey with
their child.

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2008
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Home State Bank, Community Meeting Room,
611 S. Main Street, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
Cost: $28 per person or $45 per couple
You may register for the Crystal Lake New Parent Seminar on the TACA website at:
http://www.tacanow.org
Walk-ins welcomed
Scholarships are available. For further information, you can call Linda Betzold
847-961-
6914
Hope to see you there!

My mom has celiac disease (as did my grandmother) and if you do a search on the web for gluten free or celiac disease, you'll find a ton of resouces. There are several GF stores in the area that sell basics (and beyond) and many more health food stores are carrying a variety of products. Know that like everything else, some companies have very good products (from a taste perspective) others are not so good so you'll have to try several. My mom is a big fan of Pamela's (it seems pretty much everything by that company is good according to her.)

Additionally, a lot of restaurants now have GF menus or can recommend items that are GF. A lot of servers and owners are becomming aware of gluten intolerance and have adjusted their menus accordingly (even Olive Garden!!) Just ask. I don't know where you live, but there is a GF bakery on Central in Evanston called Rose's? And a GF restaurant (that also sells some packaged goods) in River Grove. Buffalo Grove has the GF Market also.

I'm not familiar with Casein - so I can't speak to that.

Good luck and while it will take some adjusting, once you're through the learning phase, you'll discover that it's not so bad - especially with new legislation on labeling of food products. (Although my mom talks about Wonder Bread like it was the best thing ever so I guess there are still some things you don't get over.)

I was just talking to my mom about this last night... SHE Is like You need to do the GFCF diet with Josh.... he has SPD... I looked up stuff most of the night I never saw where That was helped with this diet.. Not sure what your son has... but I told my mom that their is a fine line from Autism and other things.. ONE component of Autism is Helped by GFCF but my son is alread ok in that area... she got mad and stoped talking to me and got on line.. I never got an E mail showing it did help SO I guess she did not find anything....

I am doing some Omega3 with my son.. It is http://www.amazon.com/Coromega-Omega-3-Supplement-Chocola... and HE LOVES IT!! it is orange flavored and much better than the other yeck stuff!!!!

I will keep an eye on this to see what others have to say..

I have a son that is Autistic, well as of now, he is on the spectrum with pervasive dev disorder which is the umbrella and then also sensory integration. I have tought about this, but man that food is expensive and you know, what about when you want to go out to dinner? I dont think most places have menus for that. UGH! If you find out anything, let me know. How old is your son? My son is 5. He just turned in April and his name is Erik. We live in Aurora.

S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

Hi,

My son is 3yo and I also have a 7month old. My 3yo is the picture perfect definition of ADHD until we altered his diet IMMENSELY. Allergists that did a scratch test could not get results (albeit allergy testing is far from accurate many times). We started seeing a naturopath who did the blood test on him (my peditrician agreed with the testing methods) and found him allergic to all dairy including casein, all gluten, eggs, all meat but turkey and chicken and some citrus as well as soy. Hardwork to alter our eating habits? Yes, but well worth it and very enjoyable. Also have added Omega 3s and probiotics. Continuing to see the naturopath and after a year will check the bloodwork again.

With my 7 month old I am able to recognize her dairy aversion/allergy much quicker and this time around we are also holding off on vaccines. All of these things are interrelated and are difficult to sort through. But as a mommy you do what you have to do because no one else will look after or know your child the way you do (no matter what initials they have after their name--we are ALL constantly learning).

Good Luck. If you need some links to any info please feel free to contact me.
J.

J.,
A Gluten Free Grocery store just opened last month in Westchester. The owner has Celiac disease, but also has alot of information on going GF for Autism on her site. You may want to contact her. Their website is www.gfgrocery.com.

Her store is well stocked! You should check it out!

T.

The book, Is This My Child, by Dr. Dorris Rapp discusses dietary changes with autistic children, ADD, etc. You can purchase it on amazon and her website is www.drrapp.com it is a great book and know many moms that have followed her recommendations, including a complete panel of food and enviornmental allergy testing. Good Luck!