AUTISM AND ADHD
80% of autistic and ADHD kids respond to the gluten- and casein-free diet, despite any lack 
of gastrointestinal symptoms or negative allergy blood tests. The changes can be drastic — better sleep, improved language, more connectedness, better eye contact, less stimming, and a kid who is happier and more comfortable in his skin.
The goal behind the diet is to remove chemicals, toxins and potential neurotransmitters, which are liberated when foods are broken down during the process of digestion. When these toxins enter the bloodstream and reach the brain, they create an opiate effect. Our kids literally become drugged, like heroin addicts. They are "wired but tired," unable to concentrate, agitated, unable to listen, look at you, or stay still. Gliadorphin, the opiate metabolite, even becomes measurable in the urine.
For my son, Adam, this diet was a first, enormously meaningful step toward recovery. It has made all the difference. Read about our struggle with autism here.
In autistic kids, due to a variety of circumstances, the gut lining becomes more permeable and develops openings large enough for partially broken-down protein, toxins and yeast by-products to enter the bloodstream. Normally, only tiny molecules of simple sugars, fatty acids and amino acids should be able to pass through.
The immune system, which knows every protein in your body, recognizes a foreign protein and mounts an immune response. After a period of ongoing, heightened activity, the immune system becomes hypervigilant. This condition leads to multiple allergies and a long list of autoimmune dysfunctions, among them eczema and asthma.
In fact, one common marker of immune system dysfunction is frequent ear infections. Another is inability of the organism to mount a fever. Over and over again I hear parents tell me about their superhealthy kids. Everyone in the family gets sick, everyone in school gets sick, but these kids never do. In fact, in the summer, they never need suntan lotion because they don't really burn. What is happening here? Their bodies are too weak to mount an immune response. They have reached a stage where they no longer fight against invaders.
In order to reverse this course of events, we need to start at the very base, building a solid foundation for our kids to recover. A healthy, nutrient-dense, toxin-free and allergen-free diet is that necessary first step to turn things around.
My mentor, Mary Coyle, explains it this way:
Imagine a boat full of sand, and if you scoop some of the sand out, the boat will float some. You scoop out some more, and it will float up even more. Think of the diet as the first few huge scoops that get the boat floating. There is plenty more scooping that needs to be done, but now you are on your way to the surface.
I can help you make this difficult switch with the least possible amount of disruption and stress. We will switch to a healthier, whole food, nutrient-dense diet the will nourish your child and heal his/her body. My individualized approach minimizes negative physical reactions, increases nutriton, and most importantly, improves health. I will help make the transition easy on you and your child.
Ready to get started? Sign up for Gluten Free as easy as 1-2-3 program right now.
Learn more about the gluten-free casein-free diet.