[csw]

Hi
I have a son with severe ADHD who when I look back did have some "autistic like" symptoms in the past..he has been on the Feingold diet in the past and it helped about 10% with his impulsivity and hyperactivity. I have a daughter now aged 23 months who was developmentally, cognitively ahead by 4-6 months at age 15 months received first dose of fluzone and at 16 months 2nd dose..after the second dose..the day after..she essentially stopped talking, would not respond to her name, was having blank stares, hyperactivity (was previouslly very calm)..turns out this years flu shot had thimerosal and was never meant for babies to get..though the company claims it is 'safe' for babies as young as six months. To make matters worse..she was never supposed to get the 2nd dose..she had a dose in Guatemala the prevous year..it was in her records that I gave the pediatrician and I told her that Gripe meant flu in Spanish..anyways..after the first dose she got a fever and rash but it was really after the 2nd dose that she had the mental status changes.

To make a long story short..we were going to a specialist since December..we also kept teaching her sign language, kept her on the DHA/ARA powdered supplments, as well as her organic toddler formula..noone knows why..but her language came back to age level although the articulation is still nowhere near where it should be..and her cognition tested above age level again. What I think is that she had acute mercury poisoning and it got better as it slowly got out of her system (funny..the company says it stays in 120 days but the doc's were told to give the doses 30 days apart...and..some sources say the mercury is in the brain for 20 years)


My question is...she is still having 'spells' where she really seems to have no clue what I am saying..I would call it brain fog...she also is having extreme implusive behaviour way beyond what you would say is normal toddler behaviour. She is having alot of the signs of ADHD that our son had at her age. Her brain 'took a hit' from the mercury and although the specialist said there is nothing we can do about her atypical behaviour patterns I had read that the GFCF diet has worked wonders for these kids..I may also go ahead with the lab test that uses a hair sample to test for heavy metals, and the urine peptide test...just so we can have a baseline..I am trying to find a DAN physician near me..since she is still young I feel we may be able to counteract some of these things. Our son at age 14 doesnt want to try this diet..but I may just put us all on this and see if it helps him also..

I would appreciate any feedback from folks who have tried the GFCF diet with kids on the autism spectrum..
Thanks so much..

[csw]

Hi
I am happy to report that GF/CF diet has helped Ana tremendously so far. She has been on it for 2 days and both days took an afternoon nap..she hasn't done that in about 4 months! She is more focused. She is a little whiney..they say the kids actually go through withdrawl and they are worse before better..she likes the Rice Milk alot..I made her pasta salad today with her brown rice pasta and its good. She also loves the gluten free chocholate chip cookies

[Jensboys]

Hi I am new myself to a gluten free diet and now 2 or 3 months into it I am finding myself a little bored, I do know that "I" feel way better.

I just wanted to add that I have a friend whose child is on this for autism and it works wonders but they are VERY strict. I would add that I do notice affects from cooking in the same pots if gluten pasta was cooken in them or using knives etc. I would suggest purchasing a separate pot for her usage etc. I know I react to it ... so I imagine your daughter would as well.

I also wanted to add that I have a friend whose adopted daughter had similiar symptoms to yours but was only sleeping 3-6 hours a day for over a year and a half. The specialists said it was parenting or behavioural nothing they could to help them. She was desperate and started experimenting with diet. She eliminated dyes, and nitrates (processed foods) and her daughter is a different child now at 3 and a half. She sleeps 10-12 hours at night AND takes a nap. If she has ANY exposure to dyes or nitrates she is immediately back to her old behaviors.

I wish you much luck!

Jen

[csw]

Hi Jen
Thanks so much...we also avoid nitrites, nitrates, dyes etc..we do organic, preservative free foods in addition to gluten and casein free...I am basically only doing gluten free now for the whole family..to make it easier..but I will keep it in mind to get a separate pot for her..
I am taking her to a DAN! MD in July to have some tests done..unfortunately..none of the doc's or even the homeopath I took her took in the last 6 months mentioned getting the mercury out as soon as possible..

Here is a link to an article in Rolling Stone..makes me infuriated...

www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/_id/7395411

[lostNforgotten]

I have a friend who has children on the gluten free/casein free diet and she would love to talk to you. She has asked me to give you her email adress.

noahsmom7898@yahoo.com

Her information about this diet for autistic children is incredible and she has a deep understanding about mercury poisoning, she is a wonderful source of knowledge.

[mallory4]

I don't have experience with the diet myself, but two children I know in a professional capacity have been drastically improved. One child was diagnosed PDD/Autistic at an early age and was non verbal, never slept, highly perseverative, not very functioning. She was put on the diet almost immediately upon diagnosis and has made a lot of progress. It has been 4 years...She is now verbal and mainstreamed with some classroom support, and is considered gifted in some areas. She also sleeps normally. They do the diet completely all the time as even small variations have major repurcussions for their daughter.

Another child was not diagnosed with anything prior to entering school, but the stimulation and unpredicatbility of the school environment was not a situation he could handle and brought out autistic behaviors and inabilities. After struggling for a couple of years trying to find what would work, he was put on the diet and was able to return to school in a private school setting with fewer children but without classroom support.

After a few years on the diet, he went back to a large public school--in fact, a magnet school for the gifted. His dad told me recently that after three or four years on the diet, the child began "sneaking" things that were not on the diet in order to test whether the diet was really necessary. He found he could consume a little bit of some gluten foods without problems. According to the only book I have read on the subject (Unraveling the Mystery of Autism) his ability to eat a bit of gluten now makes sense.
I also know a girl with autism who has been on the diet for a long time and while it may have improved her functioning (I did not know her before) it has not elevated her to the level of high functioning, she is still severely impaired.
Good luck and I hope you are able to help your child. Peace.

[csw]

Thank you all so much..we try to be strict with her diet..boy is it hard to have a toddler on wheat/oat/rye/barley and diary free..yikes..esp when she goes to the cheese section of the supermarket and does the sign for cheese and just cries..I get so sad..
But..gotta do these things, right! Thanks for the email address..sorry it took me so long to get back to you..