Re: Autism in media and lack of attention to dietary benefits OT

[Guest guest]

I have noticed autism in the media so much more recently. In fact, I finally

got to watch the 60 minutes special from what...two months ago maybe...that my

parents video taped for me. They were showing the researchers out at University

of California-. One research is trying to diagnose autism at a much

earlier age. I guess the norm is around five years, and she hopes to figure out

how to diagnose it by 12 months. Of course, she made no comments on

environmental causes like diet, vaccinnes, ect. But, what I noticed from her

comments was that it is completely undetectable at six months. All children are

acting normal. Warning signs may appear for some children at 12 months, but not

all children. Well, I think we all know what happens around 12 months, don't

we. What disturbed me was that she is telling the parents that she sees some

red flags, but that it just isn't a definite diagnosis yet. That's what we were

told at 2 1/2 years about our son when we finally got the referal to the

developmental pediatrician. We started noticing concerning things about 15

months with our son, but our pediatrician didn't think it was anything for a

year. Then, the developmental pediatrician gave us that classic answer of just

not being certain because it was too early to say. So, my complaint is that

they're just telling parents to go home and wait to see what happens. If I were

the dr., I would be telling parents that I can't make a diagnosis at the time,

but I am concerned. Then, I would recommend that certain treatments begin like

dietary intervention, OT, PT, ST...I mean, it isn't going to hurt them if they

do turn out to be perfectly typical, and I'd sure like to know how many children

do turn out to not have the diagnosis when the parents are told that it is just

a maybe because it is too early to say. The other researcher on 60 minutes that

was interviewed was focusing on behavior. She believes that if a diagnosis is

made at a much earlier age...the target age being about 12 months again...that

behavioral therapy can correct/reroute the brain to make the child's behaviors

unnoticeable by the time they hit kindergarten. I'll give her credit that she

at least recognizes that the earlier one intervenes, the better the child's

chances are for recovery. So, that's my two cents about the 60 minutes special.

I do notice more autism in the media, but like Dana said, it isn't focusing on

intervention and recovery aspects of it. It's basicly focusing on coping with

what has happened as best you can.

Meleah

Autism in media and lack of attention to dietary

benefits OT

I have definately noticed autism on TV and in the media so much more lately.

More research supposedly is being devoted to it. It is being spot lighted on

shows like the View, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, 60 Minutes, even MTV and in

magazine articles.

But the biggest thing I have noticed is a huge lack of diet in most of these

cases. The people being spot lighted are eating a regular American diet

including grilled cheese sandwhiches, french fries, Pizza, cookies, etc.

So, with all of the research now being devoted to autism, how much of it is

going to see how a special diet can benefit these people? How do you educate the

masses not only of autism and its epedimic but about the major benefits of a

diet?

Has anyone else noticed this?

Dana

and Garrett

SCD 9 1/2 months

Celiac, ASD, Speech and Motor Apraxia

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[Guest guest]

Hi,

I just joined the group and I'm working towards the intro diet with

my daughter. I just started weaning her off of her potato, rice,

corn and soy laden diet yesterday, and hope to start the intro diet

in a few days. I'm already starting to see what I think might be

some die off type reactions, as she is very moody and throwing a lot

of tantrums. I think her body is sending her the signals of

carbohydrate cravings, but she's not getting them, so she's very

frustrated. At least, I think that's what's going on. She has major

reflux symptoms and bacterial overgrowth in her intestines, and I

think she may be dealing with a yeast problem as well, so I'm hopeful

that this diet will help her out. But, she's extremely picky and

hates trying new foods, so I just don't know how it's going to go.

Anyway, we've been gf/cf for about 9 months now for sensory

integration dysfunction, speech issues and a host of environmental

and food allergies. I have to say that I totally agree with Meleah

and Dana about the media's complete disregard for any type of dietary

therapy in conjunction with Autism and other ASD issues. I watched

the 60 Minutes episode and I kept waiting and waiting for them to

mention it, and was troubled by the fact that they didn't say

anything about the role diet plays with our kids. I guess it's not

surprising, considering how few MD's actually buy into dietary

interventions. And, I hate the " wait and see " approach; I dealt with

that for at least 6 months when my daughter's motor skills began to

regress. We saw amazing progress with my daughter's balance and

coordination within a week of going gf/cf, but now I think we are at

a point where she has developed further sensitivities (soy, corn,

etc), so we're hopeful that this diet will make her feel better.

Jill

[Guest guest]

Jill,

Welcome to the group, and yes, you are probably already seeing preliminary die

off symptoms if she is showing moodiness with pulling back on her favorite

starches. You say she doesn't like to try new foods, but you must stick to your

guns on SCD. We've had kids on this list food strike for as much as nine days,

but they finally broke down and ate the SCD food with a vengence. I know it is

common for kids to be picky eaters, but I always tell a parent...whether one of

an ASD child or not...that it should be a red flag to them of gut issue(at the

very least) if their child " won't eat anything except... " . Just make sure

you're ready for whatever her little body decides to do whether she surprises

you with great exceptance of SCD, or she rebels.

Meleah

Re: Autism in media and lack of attention to dietary

benefits OT

Hi,

I just joined the group and I'm working towards the intro diet with

my daughter. I just started weaning her off of her potato, rice,

corn and soy laden diet yesterday, and hope to start the intro diet

in a few days. I'm already starting to see what I think might be

some die off type reactions, as she is very moody and throwing a lot

of tantrums. I think her body is sending her the signals of

carbohydrate cravings, but she's not getting them, so she's very

frustrated. At least, I think that's what's going on. She has major

reflux symptoms and bacterial overgrowth in her intestines, and I

think she may be dealing with a yeast problem as well, so I'm hopeful

that this diet will help her out. But, she's extremely picky and

hates trying new foods, so I just don't know how it's going to go.

Anyway, we've been gf/cf for about 9 months now for sensory

integration dysfunction, speech issues and a host of environmental

and food allergies. I have to say that I totally agree with Meleah

and Dana about the media's complete disregard for any type of dietary

therapy in conjunction with Autism and other ASD issues. I watched

the 60 Minutes episode and I kept waiting and waiting for them to

mention it, and was troubled by the fact that they didn't say

anything about the role diet plays with our kids. I guess it's not

surprising, considering how few MD's actually buy into dietary

interventions. And, I hate the " wait and see " approach; I dealt with

that for at least 6 months when my daughter's motor skills began to

regress. We saw amazing progress with my daughter's balance and

coordination within a week of going gf/cf, but now I think we are at

a point where she has developed further sensitivities (soy, corn,

etc), so we're hopeful that this diet will make her feel better.

Jill

[Guest guest]

Hi Meleah,

Wow, 9 days! I can't even imagine. I'm hoping that my daughter will

branch out a little bit with this diet, but I'm sure it will take

time. It's tricky, because my youngest child is 2, and he has nut

allergies, but not nearly the gut issues that my daughter has, nor

does he have any of her developmental issues ( I opted not to MMR him

based on my daughter's issues). So, for him, I don't think we'll be

strictly administering the diet like we need to with my daughter, who

has become increasingly intolerant of many foods. So, i just have to

keep it all straight, and make sure, when I'm ready to work with the

nut flours, that my son doesn't get a hold of anything I bake. He

does well with the gluten-free grains at this point, so it looks like

SCD will be most appropriate for my daughter. I'm trying to really

gear myself up for this, knowing that we have no choice but to do

this diet right now if we want to prevent her health and her sensory

issues from worsening. Thanks for the advice, and it's nice to meet

you!

Jill

> Jill,

> Welcome to the group, and yes, you are probably already seeing

> preliminary die off symptoms if she is showing moodiness with

> pulling back on her favorite starches. You say she doesn't like to

> try new foods, but you must stick to your guns on SCD. We've had

> kids on this list food strike for as much as nine days, but they

> finally broke down and ate the SCD food with a vengence. I know it

> is common for kids to be picky eaters, but I always tell a

> parent...whether one of an ASD child or not...that it should be a

> red flag to them of gut issue(at the very least) if their child

> " won't eat anything except... " . Just make sure you're ready for

> whatever her little body decides to do whether she surprises you

> with great exceptance of SCD, or she rebels.

> Meleah

> ----- Original Message -----