Results of our gluten free diet trial

There has been a great deal of talk about gluten free diets, and whether or not they can have a positive impact on children with ADHD and Autism.

Many parents around the world have reported positive effects of gluten and casein free diets. But there is a huge amount of debate between experts as to whether or not it really works.

When I mentioned it to my son’s pediatrician, she seemed almost horrified that I was even suggesting it. She said that she didn’t believe that reducing gluten in a child’s diet would have any affect whatsoever on their special needs.

However, I had heard a speech by the incredible Temple Grandin, where she said that she has seen fantastic results of gluten free and casein free diets. Including a student who would have entirely failed school if it wasn’t for a gluten free diet.

So a few months ago, I decided to listen to Temple Grandin’s opinion, and try putting my son on a gluten free diet.

Well, to be completely honest, I didn’t put him on a completely gluten free diet, just a mostly gluten free diet.

I bought special gluten free bread for him along with gluten free pasta and breakfast cereals. And where possible I tried to avoid giving him things with gluten in. But I did allow him to have gluten occasionally, for example if we went out for dinner or the occasional treat.

Did it work?

At first I didn’t notice a difference. In fact after a couple of months I thought it hadn’t worked at all. I know that nothing works on all children, so I figured that my son was one of the ones it doesn’t work on.

Eventually I decided to bring him off the gluten free diet. I didn’t think it had worked.

Suddenly his behaviour got worse. Within a couple of weeks he was more hyperactive, his attention was terrible. He was generally behaving badly and he started having melt-downs again.
Then I realised; he actually hadn’t had a melt-down in months, his behaviour had been very good, and he hadn’t been as hyperactive or as inattentive as he used to be.

Because the change had developed slowly over a period of months, I hadn’t noticed it. I’d assumed the gluten free diet wasn’t working, and it wasn’t until I pulled him off it I realised just how much it had worked.

Needless to say, he is now back on the gluten free diet. And his behaviour is improving again.

More and more around the world we are seeing evidence of children with special needs being positively affected by gluten free diets.

Like any treatment, this won’t work for everyone, but it certainly is worth a try.