I did some research and saw that every symptom that my son had could be related to gluten. We immediately removed gluten.

Within THREE days we saw am improvement in my son’s attitude.

My husband said this was me too–I, too saw my brain fog and fatigue go away in the same time frame.

We then noticed that my son and my self later in the week became angry when we had some cheese and milk–so we are eliminating that, too.

I just hope that the healing time is fast because my son really needs to bring up those 7th grade reports cards for next semester!

I think the best answer is to try the gluten-free/casein-free diet to see if it works! The Autism Research Institute publishes the results of the information they receive from parents on the effectiveness of various biomedical interventions. According to the “Parent Ratings of Behavioral Effects of Biomedical Interventions,” 66% of parents reported that their children “got better” on the GF/CF diet. You can find this parent rating form at http://www.autism.com/treatable/biomed/ARI_TreatmentRatings_Form34QR_February2008.pdf

I have consulted with and interviewed quite a few doctors using biomedical treatments for autism, and they all say that the GF/CF diet is a must for children with autism and should be the first place to start. It is my understanding that the diet really must be followed very, very strictly for at least 6 months to one year. The reason for this is that the peptides created from the incomplete digestion of gluten and casein actually build up in the bloodstream (and enter the brain) and must be allowed to clear the body. Another reason for following the GF/CF for an extended period of time is to permit the intestines time to heal. Gluten and casein can cause injury to the digestive tract in some children, so it is necessary to completely remove gluten and casein to stop the source of injury and allow time for healing. During this time, can also be helpful to use products that promote intestinal healing and integrity such as high-potency probiotics and colostrum.

For this reason, I think it is really important to note that this diet really mandates strict compliance. Gluten is not like other things we might keep our kids away from like sugar – even though a lot of sugar is bad for any child, maybe a little bit of sugar won’t hurt too much. Not so with gluten and casein!!! A little bit can be very harmful! For this reason, we use only products that can certify they are gluten-free and casein-free. For example, if a product with generally gluten free grains (such as rice flour) states that it has been produced in a facility that also produces wheat and that there may be trace amounts of wheat, we do not use the product! One doctor I interviewed also instructed me to have a separate toaster for gluten-free breads and another for regular bread to eliminate any cross contamination!

A note about your question – you stated that your daughter is not hyperactive. My research shows that the GF/CF diet is extremely helpful to children with autism, whether they are hyperactive or not. Many doctors and researchers believe that the peptides formed from the incomplete digestion of gluten and casein travel through the bloodstream and into the brain and attach to the opiate receptors in the brain. This could be why so many parents report that their children seem addicted to wheat and milk products. Many parents also say that as their children begin the GF/CF diet, they act as if they are coming out of a “brain fog.”

I will admit that the GF/CF diet is extra work – homemade meals, no eating out at fast food restaurants, and always packing a lunch….. However, I believe most parents who try it for their children (and even for themselves!) say that it is worth the effort!

Blessings to you as you walk strongly forward in this journey!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you.” Numbers 6:23-24 NASB

Just a note – I began the GF/CF diet with my son to be a support to him and have been following the GF/CF diet for almost three years now. I must say that my health has considerably improved as a result. It is now a life-long commitment for me!

I have also had to work to help my son gain weight. First, what we did was to make sure he was getting adequate vitamins and minerals through supplementation. In her book, Children with Starving Brains, Jacquelyn McCandless gives a good list of necessary nutrients along with her recommendations for amounts.

Another very important consideration is that there can be malabsorption of nutrients when there is gut inflammation or injury to the vili in the intestines. I believe probiotic supplementation is an essential part of healing this inflammation and injury to the gut and helps work toward better absorption of nutrients. The probiotic of course should be gluten and casein free and should have a potency of billions of units. Also, aloe vera juice has helped heal my son’s intestinal tract so that he absorbs nutrients better.

After ensuring adequate intake of necessary nutrients and working toward healing the gut, we then began making smoothies with protein powder. A note of caution – most protein powders are not gluten-free/casein-free. My son also had a sensitivity to soy, so we use rice protein powder and pea protein powder. Here is my recipe for smoothies:

Smoothies with Protein Powder

1 cup fresh or frozen fruit (we like cherries, peaches and blueberries, but use fruit your child tolerates)

GF/CF rice milk or almond milk or just water

1-2 Tablespoons rice protein powder or pea protein powder

Stevia to taste

Mix in blender until smooth.

Variations: In addition to the protein powder, you can also add finely ground nuts or flaxseed (grind it yourself in a dedicated coffee grinder – pre-ground flax can be rancid). I also add barley green powder for added vitamins from greens. Although barley is a gluten-containing grain, according to the product I buy, the powder made from the barley grass juice does not contain gluten.

A Note of Caution – Each child is extremely different in his ability to tolerate particular foods. Certainly if your child has demonstrated an allergy or sensitivity to a food (through either reactions or through testing), the offending foods should be off-limits.

Blessings!

While I am not a medical doctor and, therefore, cannot advise on any particular child’s case, I have applied a simple principle to my own son’s treatment – if help can be found through dietary changes and nutritional supplements, we always try this first. There is a great deal of evidence supporting dietary intervention for autism spectrum disorders. The Gluten-free/Casein-free diet (look at information on http://www.autism.com), the Feingold diet (www.feingold.org), the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info and http://www.pecanbread.com)

Let me share our experience with you. Prior to removing gluten and casein from my son’s diet 2 ½ years ago, my son craved Carr’s Whole Wheat Crackers, which he called “soft crackers” and ate them almost daily. We went cold turkey when we started the GF/CF diet and stopped consuming all foods containing gluten and casein at once. For the first three weeks of the GF/CF diet, my son threw fit after fit every afternoon, yelling “soft crackers!!” and throwing himself down on the ground. Then, after three weeks, all of a sudden, he no longer asked for them and no longer threw tantrums! Generally, each time we make a dietary change, it takes a couple of weeks for my son to adapt, and then he is happy with the change.

Many times, children (and adults too) will crave foods which are problematic, so the cravings for a particular food can be an indication of foods which need to be avoided. Additionally, sometimes particular food cravings can be a sign of nutrient deficiency, so we always make sure to take high-quality vitamin and mineral supplements.

Yes, change is difficult for children with autism spectrum disorders. However, if we as parents and caregivers of our precious children remain strong, positive, and committed to implementing the change, our children sense our confidence and strength, and, I believe, will adapt more readily.