GF/CF diets for autism

[NoahsPennilessMummy]

am looking into trying this with my 5 year old son who has autism.

Is there anyone on here who has tried it and how did it go?

many thanks

claire
x

[Nicki]

I tried it for 6 months with my DD when she was 3. I didn't have her urine tested beforehand but I read up very carefully on what she could and couldn't eat and was very strict in adhering to the diet. It was quite hard going, particularly if we were out as a family and got delayed as there was relatively little food which we could buy for her to tide her over.

We kept a diary for the few months before starting and the 6 months of the diet, and our view was that it made absolutely no difference to her. That's not to say it doesn't help some children, but it is by no means a guaranteed thing for all.

You do need to be careful as well to ensure that your child gets enough calcium and other nutrients when resticting their diet so severely.

[NoahsPennilessMummy]

Thanks

I would def have his urine tested beforehand to see if he is carrying the peptides.

To be honest we have to take food out with us for ds anyway as we cant just pick anything up for him so that aspect would be the same....just different food lol.

Am still reading up at this stage and mulling it over;)

[Mandles]

Sorry, unsure about this one.
Did you see my post on clay baths? Another interesting one. It was even on Oprah and some kids have spoken for the first time after. All to do with metals in them that they can't get rid of.http://www.clayforautism.com/

[tilly's_mum]

My daughter has been on the gf/cf diet for years and it has made a big difference - she used to cry (high pitch ear piecing cry) all the time - that stopped after taking the milk out and she felt pain and was much more aware after the gluten. Its hard work at first and he may be worse for the first few days as he goes through withdrawal but thats a good sign and they soon improve.

The diet is quite easy once you get used to it and the foods are not that expensive and are easily available in supermarkets.

I now see a DAN (defeat autism now) nutritionalist who has helped with further allergies and supplements and my daughter has made further improvements.

There is book about the diet by Luke Jackson which is really good, it explains the diet well and has some recipes in back.

[elsien]

I went on a course recently run by the autism society. The woman running the course said there's no hard scientific evidence that it has any effect, and anecdotally it varies a lot.
She tried it for her son and it had no effect whatsoever, but other people she has contact with swear by it. I guess it depends how much disruption it's likely to cause if your child has difficulty with what they will choose to eat anyway, or whether they're a bit more flexible and willing to give new things a go.

[NoahsPennilessMummy]

There is quite a lot of research evidence on the Univ of Sunderland autism research site.
I think some people go over the top and think they are going to "cure" their childs autism.
Clearly this isnt the case but if it helps some of the difficulties eg loudness, flapping, tantrums,screaming then that must be a good thing.
Maybe the ones it didnt work for were not carrying the peptides in the first place.....

[Dinah93]

My mum's godson went on a gluten free diet when he was 7, he is severely autistic and it made a huge difference. Dairy was also cut out when he was 10 or 11, and I have to say he's a completely changed boy. He is now 16 and has gone from not talking, unable to make eye contact etc to being a delight to be with, confident, chatty, and to anyone who didn't know him they would never know he was autistic, he just seems like a motormouth of a teenager! For other reasons I had to follow a gluten free diet for 3 years and I have to say there are so many different products out there, it is actually fairly easy to follow. The issues come when they use flour as a thickener in sauce in restaurants and things, you can tell within half an hour on my mums godson as his behaviour changes completely. There is a booklet available from one of the autistic societies that lists every food made or sold by your chosen supermarket (s) and if they are 'safe' to eat or not. I would really reccomend trying it, as it has completely altered this lad's quality of life, and while he still has academic issues with concentration and things, he should be able to live an independant and successful life, which his parents never thought would be an option at diagnosis. Best of luck to you, Dinah x

[NoahsPennilessMummy]

Thank you so much Dinah for such a positive post:j

I will look into that leaflet it sounds useful.

It is encouraging to hear that he will probably have a more independant future.....at the moment I cant see that happening for my son but if we decide to do thediet who knows:rolleyes:

many thanks
x

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Low Fat Diet and Sunscreen: a Recipe for Disaster (http://people.csail.mit.edu/seneff/sunscreen_lowfat_autism.html)
I thought this may be interesting reading for those considering the possible impact of diet on Autism.

[Savvy_Sue]

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