What is a good book on the GF/Cf diet for ASD?

[Pollyanna]

After seeing a dramatic (and that is putting it mildly) change in my dyspraxic (and aspergers?) son's behaviour after a Mcdonalds Mcflurry (his first one in years, if ever), I have decided to try the gluten free diet. We have huge problems with his behaviour both at home and at school - he has a pretty healthy diet usually.

Is there a book/website I can read about it? I have tried fish oils with him and they have a little effect (maybe), but would like to try this diet too.

(Does anyone know if it would help dyspraxic behaviour?)

[noddyholder]

hi pollyanna my ds is dyspraxic and eats crap a lot as he is a teenager and never at home.I found the high strength fish oils amazing and a healthy diet but he is at anage were he can;t be told so start now!My ds had a major reaction to coke when we were in america last year it was scary almost fit like so I do think these kids are affected by diet.Ds not aspergers though afaik I will have a look in my notes re books and let you know

[misscutandstick]

ive taken DS5 (2yrs preDX Autism symptoms) off milk products about 2weeks ago, and it really has made quite a difference. He still gets tired easily, BUT he is a LOT more alert and deliberate, he used to wander a lot aimlessly, and scream a LOT in a siren-like manner, and if upset he would slap his face. He hasnt slapped in 2wks! apart from one day where one of his brothers left out his cereal bowl with milk left in it, and DS5 found it. He was sooooo tired/sleepy exhausted, and was whingy all day with several outbursts of slapping and wailing. So im convinced its a milk problem.

It was dietician who advised this action and I have to go back next month, not sure if she will advise taking wheat/gluten out too.

Im a member of several boards - and theres loads of people who report the same sort of improvements from a GF/CF diet, whose kids are on the spectrum. HTH XXX

[misscutandstick]

forgot to mention DS1 is ADHD and was on the high dose fish oils and I can say that i really didnt see any difference at all. However cutting out additives and stuff does help a great deal. Aspartame is particularly bad, as are colours. Coke and similar products are a huge no-no, and he accepts this - even tho he is 15yrs.

[streakybacon]

You could try Marilyn Le Breton's book. Luke Jackson wrote one too.

I found it useful to have a copy of the Coeliac Society's guide to products free of gluten, which is really helpful as it breaks down into supermarket own brands etc. You'd still need to check labels though as it doesn't flag up casein.

[pagwatch]

Ditto Marilyn Le Bretons book.
I would try and get a two price deal on amazon as well - the Diet Intervention and Autism is great and has some recipes in but somne of the contacts etc are outdated now. the recipe book however is a great standby in my house !
All Ds's cakes come from there and he is very very happy with them. they are the only ones where I have to tell people they are GFCF.
Suppliers have changed though and you need people like goodnessdirect to source special ingredients.
well worth it though.

[knat]

agree marilyn le breton book and the cookie/cake recipes are great - you wouldn't know any difference. Agree about the outdated suppliers and goodnessdirect are the ones i use too.

[Pollyanna]

thanks all. Will definitely have a look for the Marilyn Le Breton book

Noddy - ds only has a dyspraxia diagnosis atm, but in him this has manifested itself in adhd/aspergers types symptoms as well as the clumsyness/muscle weakness. Fishoils no longer seem tohave any effect on him.