Q re Weight Loss - Help needed

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

Our daughter Frances (6) has been casein-free since the Easter break and on a

completely gluten-free diet since mid-June. . Frances not only has a diagnosis

of autism but has two other diagnoses as well, atypical Angelman or atypical

Rett Syndrome ( severe epilepsy, global developmental delay, sleep and movement

disorder, challenging behaviour and totally non-verbal - in short, the lot )

On the casein-free part of the diet we saw a noticeable improvement in her

overall awareness and behaviour. Since we started to reduce the gluten in her

diet her awareness has deteriorated badly, the babbling has stopped again (no

more " mamamama " L ), she is no longer ticklish and has withdrawn into her

little shell again. Even worse, we have noticed a considerable weight loss and

diarrhoea. Frances used to be a very solid (NOT fat, just chunky " , for want of a

better word) little girl, now we can feel her ribs sticking out... There is no

indication that she has a bug or infection. She is still eating but appears to

be incredibly tired and chooses to crawl instead of walking and will lie down on

the floor due to sheer exhaustion.

I will be taking her to our family GP on Monday but I wonder whether these could

be withdrawal symptoms? Has anybody else encountered similar problems? At this

point I am extremely worried about her and would appreciate any advice/comments

from you all.

Beatrice mum to Frances and Nick Scotland