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How does diet affect ASD kids? A Parent's Perspective
Contributed by Michael Pallett from Parents Listen
OK, we all know that nutrition is important, but many of us eat food that is not good for us anyway (myself included). Here is why this is such a big deal for our kids (a short, really simple explanation of a tiny bit of biochemistry of a typical autistic child):
Many people (not just Autistic Spectrum Disorder kids) have an inability to break down two complex proteins found in wheat and dairy - casein and gluten. For most of us this is not problem, these compounds leave our body through our regular intestinal system. However in many ASD people, due to their particular biochemistry, these proteins are not completely broken down and instead are converted to Gliadorphin and Casomorphin. When gluten and casein are not properly broken down, these peptides have opiate-like effects on the brain and body, often creating foggy thinking, slow bowel function, and weakened immune function.
Another common problem with ASD people is a yeast overgrowth in the intestines. Yeast creates toxins including alcohol that can create a spacey, drunk-like effect on the brain, and can tax the immune system.
Take a look at some of our children and you may be able to understand their behavior a little more if you consider that they are under the influence of chemicals (produced in their own body) as a result of a specific diet that they crave. No wonder some of our kids are not interested in eating anything else (picky eater syndrome partially explained?).
Defeat Autism Now or DAN is a leading organization of parents and practitioners in the United States with 40 years of experience working with all available therapies for ASD people. It states that of all the interventions that you can do with your child, therapies, drugs, supplements, etc., there is no greater potential for change for the greatest number of ASD children than an intervention in the area of diet.
There are many similar ways diet will influence your child's behavior but here in Ontario you will find it very difficult to learn about any of them. Your doctor is probably not trained in this special area of biochemistry and probably does not even know about it. There are few nutritionists trained in this in Ontario but this is something that we as parents can learn and implement in our own homes. It can have a tremendous impact on your life, the life of your child and the rest of your family.
Julie Matthews, a certified nutritional consultant specializing in autism spectrum disorders and a DAN practitioner for the past five years, consults with families all over the world and hosts a radio show in San Francisco. Julie is also the author of Nourishing Hope, a book dedicated to information and insights on nutrition & dietary intervention and approaches for autism spectrum disorders. Julie was invited by Parents Listen to speak at Ryerson University in Toronto on Saturday December 1st, 2007 and teach parents and caregivers about the impact changes in diet can have on our ASD children. Watch her lecture in three parts in the video section of this article, and check out the PowerPoint presentation from the talk.
Please see our son Jordyn's story about what happened for us when we implemented a casein/gluten-free diet.
Recommended Reading
R Cade et al. Autism and schizophrenia: Intestinal Disorders. Nutritional Neuroscience 3: 57-72, 2000 University of FloridaComments
Dietary Intervention
God Bless Michael  and Kelli Pallett , that they are bringing this very important intervention forward.
As a medical person turned into Certified Nutritionist and trained by DAN!, I was more than convince that diet alone (if applied in an individualized manner) can take you child to the road to recovery. My own daughter from being almost non-verbal is now speaking in sentences with growth in all areas of development.
I saw amazing results while working with other children with autism, PDD, ADHD and other developmental challenges, when individualized diet plan was implemented.
There is now very credible science with published (peer reviewed) studies showing strong association of diet with chronic diseases. I wish people involved directly or indirectly in the care of these children should have the decency of looking outside the box. This can even cut the cost of long-term care for these children as more of them are becoming independent everyday. People on the otherside always refer to Catherine Maurice article about different alternative interventions. Remember there is no alternative biochemistry! and that article was written in 1994. The face of science has changed in last 12 years and now we have ample evidance that "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT, DIGEST AND ASSIMILATE"
Noor - Professional Consultant and Parent Autism Centre of Canada UNOH Health
posted by Autism Centre on 11 December 2007 at 9:32 AM
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The Agenda with Steve Paikin
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Your voice excluded this infor
I was very suprised that 'Your Voice' excluded any information on dietary intervention. With the lack of services out there it is the fastest and most direct way to start helping your child today. Why does the testimony of thousands of parents get ignored as 'proof'.
posted by valmcin on 19 November 2007 at 11:56 AM