gluten and autism-spectrum conditions

[Guest guest]

Hi--

Our then 18 month old daughter had stopped talking, walking, climbing stairs

etc. by the time she was diagnosed with celiac disease. All she wanted to do

was sit on my lap and lethargically watch the world. Our pediatrician thought

she might have a brain tumor because of the decline in her fine and gross motor

skills, so she sent us to a pediatric neurologist (Dr. Bello-Espinoza, at UCSF,

who I highly recommend). Thank God he knew about celiac disease and diagnosed

her within minutes of asking about our genealogy, asking about her symptoms, and

observing her behavior.

Dr. Bello-Espinoza invited us to come back to a meeting of UCSF neurologists to

talk about our daughter's case. In listening in on that meeting, I was

impressed by the seriousness with which the doctors took the connection between

gluten and brain malfunction. They were convinced that in some people gluten

crosses the blood-brain barrier and wreaks havoc in the brain (possibly leading

to autistic behavior?).

That discussion convinced me that children with autism-spectrum conditions

should be put on a gluten free diet. It seems to me that there is strong

evidence that it helps--in some cases the autistic symptoms entirely disappear.

I think it is only a matter of time before the scientific community figures out

the mechanism by which gluten affects the brain and comes up with widely

accepted treatment in this regard.

--lp

________________________________________

From: [ ] On Behalf Of

Pratt [kimberlymp1@...]

Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2009 4:15 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] (unknown)

This is very interesting and a little scary. My son was recently diagnosed with

Asperger's, (high functioning autism) and has celiac, as I do.

Our son has celiac and behavioral issues; I have autoimmune disease. Our son is

not autistic, though some of his pre-GF diet behaviors were similar to autistic

behaviors. I'm curious, if you don't mind my asking, what meds your son is on.

We're considering medicating our son. Thanks...this line of inquiry is very

interesting.

Marci

[Guest guest]

Wow, I wish I had started to research treatment with g-f diets as a treatment

for my son's behavioral problems sooner. Thank you for sharing this information.

>

> Hi--

>

> Our then 18 month old daughter had stopped talking, walking, climbing stairs

etc. by the time she was diagnosed with celiac disease. All she wanted to do

was sit on my lap and lethargically watch the world. Our pediatrician thought

she might have a brain tumor because of the decline in her fine and gross motor

skills, so she sent us to a pediatric neurologist (Dr. Bello-Espinoza, at UCSF,

who I highly recommend). Thank God he knew about celiac disease and diagnosed

her within minutes of asking about our genealogy, asking about her symptoms, and

observing her behavior.

>

> Dr. Bello-Espinoza invited us to come back to a meeting of UCSF neurologists

to talk about our daughter's case. In listening in on that meeting, I was

impressed by the seriousness with which the doctors took the connection between

gluten and brain malfunction. They were convinced that in some people gluten

crosses the blood-brain barrier and wreaks havoc in the brain (possibly leading

to autistic behavior?).

>

> That discussion convinced me that children with autism-spectrum conditions

should be put on a gluten free diet. It seems to me that there is strong

evidence that it helps--in some cases the autistic symptoms entirely disappear.

I think it is only a matter of time before the scientific community figures out

the mechanism by which gluten affects the brain and comes up with widely

accepted treatment in this regard.

>

> --lp

>

> ________________________________________

> From: [ ] On Behalf

Of Pratt [kimberlymp1@...]

> Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2009 4:15 PM

>

> Subject: Re: [ ] (unknown)

>

> This is very interesting and a little scary. My son was recently diagnosed

with Asperger's, (high functioning autism) and has celiac, as I do.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Our son has celiac and behavioral issues; I have autoimmune disease. Our son

is not autistic, though some of his pre-GF diet behaviors were similar to

autistic behaviors. I'm curious, if you don't mind my asking, what meds your son

is on. We're considering medicating our son. Thanks...this line of inquiry is

very interesting.

> Marci

>

[Guest guest]

This is an interesting topic. My 8 year old nephew has Asperger's, which

eventually led my brother to be diagnosed as well. And, I strongly suspect that

my dad has it. I have multiple autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto's and Celiac). My

mom and brother also have thyroid issues and the whole family has acid reflux. I

have practically begged my brother to put my nephew on a gf/cf diet, but so far

no luck. I sent him the article about the connection the other day. I think he

and his wife just think that it is anecdotal and there's no real evidence that

it does anything. Grrrr. I wish they would at least try it.

>

>

> That discussion convinced me that children with autism-spectrum conditions

should be put on a gluten free diet. It seems to me that there is strong

evidence that it helps--in some cases the autistic symptoms entirely disappear.

I think it is only a matter of time before the scientific community figures out

the mechanism by which gluten affects the brain and comes up with widely

accepted treatment in this regard.

>

> --lp

[Guest guest]

Well, you can tell him that my Aspie son

is GF/CF, and it has made a HUGE difference.

Also, my sister once worked with the mom

of a SEVERELY autistic child who went GF/CF. Within a few weeks he began

speaking and socializing, something he had NEVER done. He, of course,

still remains autistic, but he is *much*

higher functioning now. Here’s the kicker though: even one

crumb of gluten, and he goes catatonic FOR THREE WEEKS!

That is the most clear cut example I know

of, and if it will help get your nephew the help he needs, please share it with

him.

You might also try giving him a copy of

Freaks, Geeks and Asperger’s Syndrome. Don’t mention it talks

about the diet, just get it for him as a present.

If it would help, I’d be willing to

talk with him to share my GF/CF diet stories of my own…

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of sspitzer5

Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 1:03

AM

Subject: [ ] Re:

gluten and autism-spectrum conditions

This is an interesting topic. My 8 year old nephew has

Asperger's, which eventually led my brother to be diagnosed as well. And, I

strongly suspect that my dad has it. I have multiple autoimmune diseases

(Hashimoto's and Celiac). My mom and brother also have thyroid issues and the

whole family has acid reflux. I have practically begged my brother to put my

nephew on a gf/cf diet, but so far no luck. I sent him the article about the

connection the other day. I think he and his wife just think that it is anecdotal

and there's no real evidence that it does anything. Grrrr. I wish they would at

least try it.

>

>

> That discussion convinced me that children with autism-spectrum conditions

should be put on a gluten free diet. It seems to me that there is strong

evidence that it helps--in some cases the autistic symptoms entirely disappear.

I think it is only a matter of time before the scientific community figures out

the mechanism by which gluten affects the brain and comes up with widely

accepted treatment in this regard.

>

> --lp