Can anyone tell me about biomedicals...?

[BriocheDoree]

Up until now I've always felt that the biomedical approach wasn't particularly relevant to DD. I know some kids for whom it has made a HUGE difference, so I'm certainly not against the idea, but I've not felt the need to look into it. However, I'm beginning to wonder if I ought at least to find out a bit more about it, and I'm trying to find out where I can read about it in a more balanced way than seems to be presented on some of the US internet sites. I'm not in favour of those who are looking to "cure" these problems, I just want to know if I should be looking more closely at what DD is eating to make sure that her attention issues aren't being caused by her devotion to pasta! If anyone has a book they can suggest, I'd be grateful!

i'll be watching this thread brioche... we were in the hospital today to have ds's arm reset (he broke it 2 weeks ago ). as they admitted him, they asked if he had a special diet and when i said "no" i was thinking "but perhaps he should have!"

he is such a picky eater though that i worry if we started on a restricted diet that i'd find it hard to get him to eat at all.

I would try going Gluten and Dairy free first. There is a book on this by Marilyn Le Breton which explains all. You can get a Sunderland test to see if your child shows sensitivity to gluten and casein (dairy). No harm in giving fish oils or maybe Cod liver oil (mercury free). Just see how it goes.

Raggedrobin- DS was very restricted we found that after implementing the diet he actually became less restricted (the theory is to do with the gut being healed making it easier to eat.. or something like that anyway).

Some advice:
1 Dont expect miracles. It may have some effect/ may have no effect at all.
2- Be careful if you go to see a professional that you dont get ripped off. Some people spend an absolute fortune and get no where.It is a good idea to make sure your child is suitable for the diet and that you make sure your child gets all the nutrition (eg Calcium supps if no dairy) they need so maybe speak to a dietician or doctor. You dont in theory, have to spend loads on the diet but if you want to by convenience foods they are expensive.
3- Dont rush in to anything- take your time. read some books about it, look at some forums maybe talk to some mums about it and then see what you feel comfortable with and what you think is right for your child.

From personal experience DS was diagnosed a 2 with ASD we put him straight on a the GFCF diet and we have seen improvements- less spacey, more concentration, less stimmimg, almost no tantrums now, less fussy with food, better eye contact more sociable and generally more aware. He is 3.6 now and has made significant gains. However I think he has improved all he can with the diet. I believe fish oils helped his concentration as well. We have tried other things as well which have brought improvement which has stayed, but to be honest I dont know what did what so we went back to just the diet and fish oils and he is doing fine.

OK, thanks, Staryeyed. TBH DD actually eats pretty well so up until now I haven't really worried. She doesn't appear to have any problems with food (she's robustly healthy, sleeps well, no asthma, eczema) but she does have occasional constipation. Like Ragged, I've just been struck that everyone else's children seem to be on some sort of diet and that perhaps it was worth finding out about - i.e. informing myself rather than assuming it's not going to help. If nothing else, I'm sure fish oils would be beneficial (although she does eat quite a bit of fish anyway). Really I'm looking for books / websites that are informative without being "evangelical" and pushy!

thanks from me too. good advice about not rushing in too.

"Children with starving brains" gives a good overview of biomedical treatments. Have a look in your local library because these books can be quite expensive. Another good book was one called something like healing the gut- it wasn't specific to autism just anyone who had stomach problems.

TBh honest you will probable find it hard to find a biomedical website that isn't evangelical and pushy. Try Treating autism uk -they give a good overview and starting point. There are plenty of forums on yahoo groups for specific questions that you may have.

Brioche my DS had plenty of issues that were health related before we started- he had a sticky eye since birth was getting constant coughs colds and his nose was always running. He had diarrhoea almost daily his stomach was bloated, he had very red cheeks and could sweat for England for no reason at all. I read that some of these symptoms are indicative that the diet might be beneficial as the diet helps to heal the gut and in turn helps to boost the immune system.

I agree staryeyed,

We've read the books you've named. Also, try Ken Bock's book 'Healing the new childhood epidemics - autism, adhd, asthma and allergies' and Bryan Jepson 'Changing the course of autism'.
My son showed significant improvements in sleep, attention and bowels when we removed artificials, sugar, gluten, casein and soya from his diet.
I am a member of Treating Autism which is parent run. There is no pressure to do anything you don't want. I guess it's because all our children are different and of course have differnt medical needs.
A good yahoo group to join is autism biomedical europe.

Jane
x

Hi Girls

The biomedical approach has definitely helped my son with autism. He has made big improvements in eye contact, sleep, bowel movements, gained much needed weight and looks healthy and glowing.

I noticed that before diet he would have a red ear or red cheek after eating gluten or dairy.
He also had dark circles under his eyes. These
things disappeard a few months into the diet.
It takes about 3 days for all traces of dairy to leave the body, but can take up to 1 year for gluten to leave. This is why some parents dont think that the diet is working as they havent either given it long enough or small bits of gluten have slipped into the diet without them noticing.

I am happy to ready any books and websites regarding autism, especially if others have helped their children overcome painful issues such as bowel problems or self harming, and make up my own mind if i think these approaches would be useful.

If someone did eventually come up with a 'cure' for autism I wouldn't turn my back on it, just the same if my son had some other debilitating disease that could be cured.

I took am a member of Treating Autism which is run by bunch of mums just trying to do the best for their children. I am the type of person who likes to question things and just because my Dr tells me there is nothing that will help doesn't mean i am going to believe him. How long since he went to medical school, how long since he read any current research specially on autism? I took advice when my son was a very premature baby and he was vacinated when only 2lbs in an incubator. Could his immune system cope with those live viruses before it has even fully developed, i doubt it?

The problem with autism is that no two children are the same, so the NHS is never going to be able to do a double blind plecebo trial on our children. Is that an excuse never to try approaches that make sense, like improving diet and immune system? I dont think so.

There is a growing body of Dr who themselves have children with autism and have now started treating them biomedically. They are the people i am listening to.