Gluten free diet

I suspect that the attention you devote to someone when you are working on a special diet may be doing the right thing for the sufferer. If you are focusing on the diet then you are less likely to be battling with the sufferer. This may give the sufferer a bit more peace and quiet but still plenty of positive attention. An ideal environment for an Aspie to thrive?

Have a look at the material on fedup.com.au/.../autism-asperger

The fedup site tries to use proper evidence based studies for its material. It says that food can make a massive difference but that gluten and casein aren't part of our problem.

HTH

My little brother (high-functioning autism) has been gluten and dairy free for about 14 years having gone on this diet when he was about 5. I don't remember a time before this, but apparently it helped to reduce hyperactivity and he's doing pretty well now. He was never tested for intolerances though, so I don't know whether this is a factor or not.

So an interview with a Chiropractor...

Yeah, that's a likely source of reliable information about diet-related problems and conditions!

(and yes, that should be read with a heavy dose of sarcasm)

Seriously people, if you think your sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, or whoevers, might have a gluten, milk, or other, intolerance then take them to a dietician and get them tested for said intolerances, don't just believe whatever ******** you happen to find on the internet!

Well, there had been a lot of success stories on those who did the gluten free /caesin free diet. I am also researching to see if I would consider this for my brother. There's this very insightful audio I listened to that answers a lot of questions about  gluten free /caesin free diet. docs.google.com/.../edit

Hope it helps!

Hi Jane,

I think the GF diet seems far too simplistic and I can only comment on my own experience of it.  When my daughter was diagnosed her behaviour was unmanageable.  She would have regular meltdowns and  become very agressive.  I met with another parent who suggested I try gf diet.  In about three weeks she went from being totoally unmanageable to being really rather pleasant to be with.  I agree that this seems far too simple, and over the years I have tried my daughter on the occasional bit of ngluten to see what happens.  Generally, after about 24 hours she appears to be very highly strung and explosive.

I have no idea why it works but I am simply astounded at the difference it made to our family.  On a practical note, don't bother buying lots of GF food it is far easier (and nicer) to just make meals that naturally do not contain gluten.

Good luck, and do feel free to comment further if you think I can offer any additional help.

I don't understand this obsession with a gf/cf diet for people on the spectrum.

I'm on a wheat free diet because I'm wheat intolerant.

How is such a diet meant to "help"?

It won't help. I have Aspergers and have never been on such a diet and have no need to. I don't know about your son's circumstances, but I would guess that this would not help him either, unless he is medically intolerant to gluten and/or casein.

My support worker always tells me how motivated I am compared to many of the other people she supports, many of whom only consume junk food. Diet invariably influences behaviour, but all your son needs is a healthy, balanced diet, made up of all the main food groups. Try wholemeal pasta/rice instead of white, provide fresh fruit and vegetables, and protein in the form of milk /cheese/meat/pulses etc. I don't know your son's age but small children require full fat milk in order to develop healthy bones and teeth.

The gluten/casein  free diet is a marketing con because healthy AS children don't need to be on it. Real intolerance, however, is a completely different entity. If concerned, speak to your doctor.