The GFCF diet approach to Autism and ADHD

In my never ending quest for answers and options for my son I have been researching the GFCF diet. After talking to Aspect NSW (autism sector of my state) I was advised that even changing master 6 from wheat to spelt bread (which is a lower and more easily digestible form of gluten) could see an improvement in his behavior so I started to research and get case studies for the full diet.

Named the "autism diet," it is the gluten and casein-free way of eating. Gluten products such as wheat, rye and barley are eliminated, as are dairy products, which contain the protein casein. Why it works isn't understood. Research into this diet is still been undertaken around the world. People have said its "leaky gut" cause th child's body isn't able to process proteins found in wheat and dairy products. For some children, the diet works well. They are calmer, have better attention spans and have less severe behavioral disturbances. This should only be done with the help of a dietician. Children, with Asperger’s Syndrome will also  find relief from their symptoms and allergies by going gluten-free and casein-free diet. Following a gluten-free and casein-free (common gastrointestinal allergens) diet can help ease the symptoms of childhood Autism and ADHD. Try to Cut all wheat and milk products for a month and determine whether or not your child is:

A)     Responding better to his or her environment;

B)    Healthier look in the eyes;

C)   Rashes decrease and

D)    Less painful bloating and gas.

So how can we tell when wheat and milk are a real problem to our children? The clue in my house (and a lot of other homes) is that my son self-limits his diet - to milk and wheat. There are Children who don't "self-limit" but eat an unusually large or small amount of food. Other symptoms are dermatitis or extremely dry skin, migraines, bouts of screaming, red cheeks, red ears, abnormal bowel movements, abnormal sleep patterns or seizures. My mother has also read that many kids with chronic ear infections are allergic to milk and wheat

There is also the failsafe diet that caters for special kids. This diet means cutting out Salicylates, preservatives, amines, MSG and colours, as well as dairy foods, wheat, gluten and environmental chemicals (if symptoms are severe). In Australia we were sent to Royal Prince Alfred when my son was very young, as he couldn’t digest the protein found in milk. We bought and followed “Friendly food%u201D. Some children need to be gluten free and dairy free but some don’t; most react to salicylates, but there are a few that don't. The dietary intake of autistic Children is insufficient because some eat one thing excessively to make up for those not eating enough in the group averages,. At least a third lack enough vitamin K, or folic acid.

The theory that is being followed at present  is that Kids with Autism (and other conditions) break down casein into peptides that affect the brain Like Morphine or Opium can do. The research has two theories that our children are

• 1)missing an enzyme that normally breaks down the peptides into a digestible form,

• 2)or the peptides were somehow leaking into the bloodstream before they could be digested.

Most kids have several food allergies in addition to milk and wheat, and The parents have or had at least one immune-related problem: thyroid disease, Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or allergies. I know this is very true in my family. 

I am not able to say if this diet will work for your child but I think when we have special kids then isn't anything  worth a go.

http://www.gfcfdiet.com/