If you have a child with an  Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), you may have heard of the gluten-free casein-free  diet.  Although there is no scientific evidence denying nor confirming, the effectiveness of the GFCF diet, many parents and clinicians have had improvement in the symptoms of their children.  According to one theory, some people with ASD cannot properly digest the proteins, gluten and casein. This leads to high levels of protein byproducts in the body which then act as opiates, like the drug, Morphine, would. The result can affect the person’s behavior, perception, and response to the environment.  Another popular theory is that the child may have sensitivity or an allergy to gluten or casein. Gluten is a protein that is found in some grains. Casein is a milk protein.  Removing gluten and casein from your child’s diet is not as simple as saying “bye bye” to milk and bread. The GFCF diet calls for the complete elimination of foods containing these ingredients. The diet has to be followed at school, home, and wherever the child may eat. Even a small amount of these proteins can change the effectiveness of the diet.   Maintaining a GFCF diet can be challenging. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, and all derivatives of these grains (including modified food starch). Casein is present in milk and milk products.  Gluten is also present in many packaged or prepared foods, and may not be listed on the food label. French fries, raisins, ketchup are just a few of the many examples that are a hidden source of gluten.  Gluten is also in Play-doh, the adhesive on stamps and some stickers, and many hygiene products. Read labels carefully. Parents must be aware of everything in their grocery cart. Most advocates of the GFCF elimination diet suggest a trial period of six months. The body will rid itself of the casein within a month. The gluten may take up to six months.  Before starting an elimination diet, like this one, parents should always consult their child’s pediatrician and a nutritionist, first. All children need a healthy diet to grow properly. Though this is an “elimination” diet, the items that are being removed, should be substituted with a similar type food. Supplements may also be required for the child to have adequate nutrition. A GFCF diet can be expensive and difficult to follow.  There are now gluten-free versions of pastas, breads, and cookies available in grocery stores.  Some restaurant offer gluten-free options as well.  Health food stores, online, co-ops are also options that are available in many areas. Our local stores that carry a good selection of these products include, Earth Mother Health Food (63640), Desloge Walmart Supercenter, and The Ole Tyme Pantry(63640).   

Parent Advocating Developmental Disabilities,  is working on collecting recipes to create a GFCF cookbook. The cookbook, will be sold at a few local stores, and the proceeds will go to the “We Play Too” Inclusive Playground Project Fund. If interested in helping with this project or submitting a recipe,  please send us an email or mail your recipes to: P.A.D.D. PO Box 162, Farmington, MO 63640.

Lee and Cindy Thurman gave a wonderful presentation about their soon who is now an adult and on the autism spectrum.  They recounted the set backs and joys along the way to making him as independent as possible. They had a prepared PowerPoint presentation with touching family photos and afterwards fielded questions from a very interested audience.

Thanks Lee and Cindy.

Guest speaker, Dr Adam Overcast. Dr Overcast explained the importance of maintaining a healthy spinal column and how disturbances in our nervous system can be manifested as chronic illnesses. He discussed the effects of modern medicine and our popular culture has had on our bodies. Dr Overcast described what he does when a new patient comes to his office for chiropractic services. New patients attend an orientation class and receive a full body infrared scan, which is non-invasive, to determine their specific needs. He explains that the body produces more heat in certain areas whenever there is a disturbance in the nervous system and that it can be seen on the infrared scanner and thus the problem area can be addressed more effectively. Dr Overcast stresses the importance of wellness, not just the absence of chronic disease and pain. We thanked Dr Overcast for helping us learn the basics of Chiropractic care and have invited him back to present the impact of chiropractic care for individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism.