Gluten-free, Casein-free, Feingold Approved

When the doctor starts throwing around words like,
"ADD,"
"Asperger's,"
"Sensory Integration Disorder," and
"Autism," you sit up and pay attention.

I certainly did.

In September 2011, I began to research treatments, therapies, and interventions. Everything from cognitive behavior therapy, to horses, to dietary changes.

A sweet friend recommended the Feingold diet. I read stacks and stacks of journal articles. I was appalled by the artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives used in the food supply. There was good, solid research out there that showed how horrible it was for people, and yet, it's still there and people still eat it.

I eliminated artificial colors, flavors, and marked preservatives from our diet. I expected a huge change, but there was none. In fact, one child's tantrums grew worse. That's when I realized that he was eating great at home, but when he went to preschool, they loaded him up with cookies, candy, and ice cream. I could tell when he had fruit for a snack or fruit snacks. It confirmation that this approach worked, but only with consistency. With a sigh, I started sending his snack with him in the mornings. His tantrums all but disappeared. And that was pretty cool.

But there was still the autism and SID to deal with. Based on the success of the Feingold approach, I decided to delve further into the world of dietary therapy. A gluten-free, casein-free diet is the usual recommendation of DAN doctors (Defeat Autism Now). Gluten is a type of grain protein; casein is milk protein. I eliminated glutened grains, as well as all, and I mean all, dairy.

It was amazing-- there were differences after only 3 days. It was like a cloud lifted off one of my children. She was happy for the first time. Her tantrums went from at least 5 per day to maybe one a week. The three day period of time was interesting because it takes 3 days to clear casein from the body. It takes at least 3 months to clear gluten, and some researchers say it takes years.

Though I did not see a direct response to the elimination of gluten from our diet, whenever anyone in the family eats it, invariably there is trouble later-- either decreased cognitive empathy, tantrums, crying fits, or other symptomatic behavior. The decrease in symptoms was so gradual that it can only be seen when gluten is reintroduced.

As difficult as this diet is to maintain, it has been very beneficial to my family and is worth the extra time and money.

I wonder what society would look like if everyone ate this way?

More Information:
GFCFSF Recommendations for Autism
Feingold Association
Autism Research Institute