ASD and Gluten free

[Frasersmum123]

Does anyone ave any links to the reseach that has been done on how a gluten free diet effects ASD

Or even better some personal experiences?

TIA

[Ellie4]

The university of Sunderland has an Autism Research Unit that is studying this to a certain extent although it is more to do with is there a certain substance that can be detected in the urine as a result of gluten not being properly digested. They also test for casein. Not good at doing links but if you google it then you will find it.

We have started a GF diet for our son as a result of their testing but too early to know if there is an improvement yet. There are plenty of mums on here though who notice a difference.

[misscutandstick]

we'e seen HUUUUUUUUGE improvements with DS5, but ive got to go out in a mo - will post more later! There is loads of mums on here whose kids benefit from a CF/GF diet.

[PeachyTheRiverParrettHarlot]

Personal experience with GF / CF (diet usually combined with a casein free diet)

Not IMO coincidentally those in our family with ASD traits - diagnosis have a casein intolerance that was dx'd way before ASD (it does make me worry for ds4 as he ahs it, but we're very careful about him and his diet).

We've tried the GF diet on ds1 and his aggression reduced loads but it ahs to be said we've not amanged it for a while as he just refuses to eat. DS4 OTOH is on it as a preventative measure, won't get any until he is 2 or 3.

If i'm struggling I do find a GF diet helps de stress me as well, oats are aprticularly abd for me and I avoid those now.

[HecatesTwopenceworth]

Yes, we got ours tested by the university of sunderland (£60 each!!) and it came back gluten intolerant.

So we removed gluten from their diets, got gf stuff on prescription and never looked back!

Their behaviour has improved, they talk more, they are calmer, they are more interactive, they sleep better (although still not anything LIKE other kids!!). And we can tell if they accidently have anything with gluten because they turn into beasts!!!

[PeachyTheRiverParrettHarlot]

Hmm, we know with ds1 but am wonderinga bout getting ds3 tested as his behaviour is getting mroe complex (attention span down to about 30 seconds- nightmare ATM).

might do that,s aves messing with diet until we know anyway.

[sphil]

I've read that it's very common - it's the effects of withdrawal. As such it's usually seen as a good sign - it means there was something to withdraw from, iyswim. Our nutritionist told us to expect possible 'irritability and increased agitation' from DS2, but that this would be temporary - we didn't get it and consequently didn't see any huge dramatic positive changes either (though we did get a calmer child who slept through the night, which was good enough!)

[PeachyTheRiverParrettHarlot]

Agree, it's the withdrawal from the opiate-like effects of gluten

We find when we take ds1 off completely he steals gluten from anywhere and everywhere and you can see by the way he eats it that it's not right IYGWIM,like an addiction

[PeachyTheRiverParrettHarlot]

Yep, sopunds like ds1!

Bit different scenario for us in that casein was medically indicated as a concern yearsago, so we know its definitely GF

[sphil]

Peachy - explain the new name please? I know the River Parret well, but why the harlot?

[PeachyTheRiverParrettHarlot]

AH no reason Sphil, just for fun (and memories of my youth )

[sphil]

I love the River Parrett! I remember you said ages ago how much you loved the Levels - and I didn't get it at all - but now I live here I really do!