'Nstuff

I have been reading this book by Karyn Seroussi:

I am only half way through the book so I will write more about the book itself when I am done but for now let me tell you about the diet we started M on because of the book.

M still hasn’t been officially diagnosed with Autism or Aspergers yet but we are almost positive that he on the spectrum somewhere. Because of that, I have been reading anything and everything on the subject. Almost every site I came across mentioned the Casein Free Gluten Free Diet (CF/GF). T (husband) was a complete skeptic because of everything he read online about the diet. He reads sites written by doctors and scientist. I was hopeful and encouraged by what I read on blogs and forums written by parents.

There is a debate between parents and doctors. Doctors think that the CF/GF doesn’t help. Many parents who try the diet see results. We are on day three of the diet and I am ecstatic to share that both my husband and I now side with the parents.

On Friday afternoon I picked up M from preschool and the teacher reported that it was “another bad day.” She said that he is now chewing on things and had gravitated toward one specific toy that looked like a giant version of one of the stress reliever balls that people keep at that cubicles to squeeze when they are pissed at their boss. He would only sit still if he had that toy and he could squeeze it over and over again and when he got really worked up, we would chew on it. He was extra pushy and was getting into the other kids’ faces more than normal. Deflated and overwhelmed I decided then and there that we were going to Trader Joes to buy anything I could find that was CF/GF. Because M was all wound up I was only able to pick up enough CF/GF supplies to get me through breakfast and lunch the following day.

That next morning (Saturday) I toasted up the GF waffles and poured the Almond milk into M’s glass. I watched closely anticipating a reaction to the “milk” but M didn’t seem to notice a difference. He drank all the milk right way just like he always does and then he ate his whole waffle. So far, so good. For lunch M ate CF/GF pizza. During quiet time (what used to be afternoon nap time is now quiet (movie) time) I went to Trader Joe’s by myself and stocked up on everything I could find. I tried to find a replacement for all his favorites. I bought a rice version of Mac N’ Cheese. I bought more Almond Milk and some Rice milk too. I walked around the store with two printed of lists, both about 5 pages each, of foods and drinks that were GF and Vegan (they didn’t have a CF list). I cross referenced the lists to find things that were both CF and GF. It was overwhelming, exhausting and upsetting. I nearly broke down in tears when I asked for help and explained that my son was Autistic and we were starting the GF/CF diet. The assistant was very helpful and wasn’t at all surprised. I wasn’t the first mom in here doing this same thing. That was a comfort but still didn’t take away the sting of needing to shop for special food.

On the drive home, the van filled will new foods, I cried. I felt just like Karen wrote in her book, “This is not happening to me. I didn’t sign up for this. I’m not cut out to be one of those noble parents of the disabled.”

When I walked in the door T greeted me and was excited to show me what he and M had done. He was surprised to see my eyes well up with tears when he showed me that M had practiced writing his name. T said, “Isn’t this what you do with him? Don’t you make him practice. I thought that is what you said you did?!” I choked out a reply about how that is what I try to do but normally all I get is a scribble or a half hearted attempt. This was clearly different. He has attempted every letter of his name, multiple times. I told this to T and his eyes got wide. I could tell he didn’t understand the significance of this. I explained further that even at school they are lucky to get him to write more than a scribble even on his best days. I explained that even to get him to sit still long enough to write as much as he did was HUGE. T went on to point out the different letters and how he made M try again when T thought the letters were not good enough.

I couldn’t believe it. In a little over 24 hours we were already seeing a change. The rest of the day went by and I watched M closely. There were no tantrums, no chewing, very very little stimming.

Could diet make that big of a difference so quickly or was M just having a really good day?

This morning I took M to preschool and he voluntarily went to the wipe off board to sign in. He tried not once, not twice but THREE times to write his name. Each time focusing and taking his time. Usually as soon as he gets in the room he goes straight toward the train track bins (which is his obsession right now) and he starts playing. Sometimes instead of toys, he will go up to a group of kids and start acting out to get their attention. I couldn’t believe it.

I gave the teachers his Almond Milk for lunch and explained the diet we had implemented and the changes we had already saw. I said that I am still a bit skeptical but asked them to please let me know how the day went at pick up time. Today will be a big test. They have a big Valentines Day party and their schedule will be very different than usual. M hates a change in schedule. If today is a “good” day or even if it isn’t a “bad” day I know the diet is helping.

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