Gluten free diet for High functioning autism

[worrywortisworrying]

Hi,

my son has been diagnosed as high functioning autistic. While it's obviously a bit upsetting, it's something I've actually been pushing for since he was about 1YO (he's just 4YO now and the differences are becoming more obvious, but I've always known.. the slow speech, the hand flapping, not wanting to play with other kids)

Anyway, having read up on it now we have a diagnosis, I've decided to try a gluten free diet (DS's diet is poor.... he would live on bread, pizza, sausages and coke if he could and I still have to puree fruit and feed it to him to get him to eat it!)

If anyone can give me pointers on where to start I would be much appreciated. I have noticed that most supermarkets have gluten free ranges... but what about bread? Is that out completely?

And what about processed meats? (Ham / sausages)

thanks,

I would suggest you get him tested first.

A gf/cf diet can be really good IF they're intolerant.

My two both have autism and I got them both tested (university of sunderland) it showed the need for a gf diet. It's so severe that the gp put them on gf food on prescription.

You can't take them off gf prior to the test, they need to be loaded up with gluten in order to test

When mine came off, I saw massive differences. Talking for a start! Calmer too. I also saw a difference in their bowel problems. My eldest in particular had terrible bowel problems - they were both in nappies until 5 & 6 - my eldest still soils now (he's 13) but it is much improved.

you can get gluten free bread. It's vile. The stuff mine get on prescription is good, but the supermarket stuff is foul. There's gluten in LOADS of stuff! including some ketchups, soy sauce and even some colas!

You have to check the ingredients for all the gluten containing ingredients, things containing wheat, rye and barley. This includes wheat flour, wheat starc, modified wheat starch, wheat rusk, wheat bran, barley malt, barley flour, oat bran & rye flour.

Thanks so much for the reply. How do I go about getting him tested? Can the GP make a referral? I wouldn't be at all surprised if he is. While (thankfully) DS is dry and clean day and night, his bowels leave a little to be desired!!!!!!!!!!!!! He obviously suffers from constipation but, ironically, it's diahorrea when he does go.

DS's speech is now classed as being within a normal range, but it's still poor in my estimation and I do feel if he could convey more through conversation, he would have less issues behaviourly - he is more prone to initiate contact with other children by pushing or shoving and then struggles to understand why the other children don't want to be friends

you could contact these guys and talk to them Mine had it done. It was a urine test and cost £60 each.

I know you can buy various kits on line, but I wouldn't trust them as much as I trusted this research.

Sounds like he's having seepage. This can happen when they're all blocked up. there's a big solid lump stuck and looser faeces oozes past it and leaks out. It's harder to control.

When mine are suffering that, I give them lactalose.

There's also lots of therapies to try. ABA, for example. Also sonrise. (a lot of people don't like that, but I used and continue to use elements of it to great success)

mine were diagnosed at 2.5 and 3, they had input from the early years team, including a home visiting teacher 3 times a week each. This carried on until they started full time school (with statements in place and f/t 1:1)

What you need is input. You need to know what help and support is out there and how to get it. Have you been in touch with the NAS?

Not been in touch with anyone, but I have just applied for a statement (well, the assessment for a statement).

I think we need 1:1. DS has responded well to that previously and he is a security risk not only to himself but to others (He's a bit of a locksmith!!)

No I haven't contacted NAS, but I know of them and will contact them now.

My DS went GF/DF without being tested.

Once we were off gluten, it was obvious that he needed to be gluten free.

I really don't think you need to be tested. Cut out all gluten, and see if it makes a difference. Especially if your DS has bowel problems.

There's loads of GF bread in the supermarkets - but it's all pretty disgusting so we just cut it out totally.

He needs a good probiotic as well as being GF. I recommend biokult.

My DS wasn't tested either.

The improvements in his behaviour and his bowel problems after a few days were dramatic.

I make GF bread in my breadmaker and DS quite likes the Warburtons brown g-f rolls and bread. He also eats lots of skin-on potatoes.

I would get a good probiotic too - we used Culturelle (adult ones) as recommended by a nutritionist.