Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - (Page 48) SPECIALIZED DIET in terms of his health. We believe so strongly in dietary intervention, and the difference it has made in our son, that I have gone back to school (Kaplan University) to pursue a Nutrition Science degree. I hope to help families like ours successfully begin and follow specialized diets to help their children. We know well that early years are vital ones for helping children with autism. We did not want to look back on Owen’s childhood and regret the things we did not try. Wherever you transfer, whatever other therapies you pursue for your child, a specialized diet is the one you can take with you no matter where you go. It is something you can do at home, as a parent, to help your child. You owe it to yourself, and your child, to consider it. • Nora Herwick is an Air Force spouse, Navy veteran, and mother of two. She is currently pursuing a Nutrition Science degree through Kaplan University in an effort to help special needs families with dietary interventions. Nora’s favorite things in life include: time with her husband Ivan, watching her daughter Emma ride horses, jumping on the trampoline with Owen, sunflowers, and recipes that don’t set off the smoke alarm. Dietary Intervention 101 “Dietary intervention” simply means changing the way a person eats to achieve some kind of goal. In children with autism spectrum disorders, many parents and doctors have reported that a specialized diet helps relieve some of the symptoms of autism. These success stories give parents of children on the spectrum great hope, but not everyone believes diet can make a big difference. Most want to know what these diets are about, and why they should try them. The most popular of the diets is the gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diet. In this diet, all sources of gluten (commonly found in wheat, barley, rye, oats, and food additives) are removed. Casein, a milk protein, is also removed. Alternative flours like soy, tapioca, potato, and buckwheat are used in place of wheat. Soy milk, milks made from nuts or coconut, or even hemp milk are consumed in place of cow’s milk or cheese. You can find more information by visiting: http://www.gfcfdiet.com. The GFCF diet works on the theory that partially digested gluten and casein peptides - known as gliadinomorphin and casomorphin - escape the digestive system through holes in the lining of the intestines (“leaky gut syndrome”). These peptides enter the blood and act like morphine on the body. They are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, and have a negative effect on the brain as well as harm other body systems. If gluten and casein are removed from the diet, this cannot occur and symptoms improve. Another diet that is quickly gaining popularity is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). This diet is based on body chemistry, biology, and clinical studies. It was developed in the 1950s by Dr. Sidney Haas and is detailed in the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gotschall. This diet is designed for people who experience intestinal diseases, inflammation, or chronic symptoms. Some children with autism also suffer from bowel and gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Other children have abnormally large numbers of yeast and harmful bacteria growing in the intestines. Another percentage of ASD kids also have food allergies and intolerances. SCD works by removing from the diet all carbohydrates too large to be directly absorbed into the bloodstream—starches and sugars, to be exact. Removing these items from the diet helps to decrease the number of harmful bacteria in the intestines, healing begins, and symptoms improve. Many parents—and I am one of them—claim that a decrease in the number of harmful bacteria in the body not only improves GI symptoms in children with autism, but improves behavior and ability to focus as well. Learn more about how to begin the SCD at: http://www.pecanbread.com. Parents of children with autism and hyperactivity report behavior and symptom improvement using the Feingold Diet. Developed by Dr. Feingold, Chief of Allergy at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in the 1960s, this diet eliminates artificial food additives. Dr. Feingold initially worked with patients he believed were sensitive to aspirin. He noted they also reacted to some foods or food additives. Some of his patients had physical reactions; others had behavioral reactions to these items as well. Dr. Feingold noticed that when artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives were eliminated from the diet of his pediatric patients, about 50% of them improved. Learn more about the Feingold Program at http://www.feingold.org. If your child has an autism spectrum disorder as well as intestinal issues, food allergies or sensitivities, hyperactivity, or has behavioral issues after eating certain foods, consider learning more about one of these diets. Many mainstream doctors will acknowledge that while the science has not yet caught up to the success stories, these diets do work well for some children on the spectrum. Talk to your physician, and do the research. It could be that the key to helping your child is in your next trip to the grocery store. 48 February 2010 • EP MAGAZINE/www.eparent.com http://www.pecanbread.com http://www.gfcfdiet.com http://www.feingold.org http://www.eparent.com Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Exceptional Parent - February 2010 Exceptional Parent - February 2010 Contents Ancora Imparo New Products Further Reading Movie Review Organizational Spotlight What's Happening Insight on Federal Policy. This Month's Focus: Section 504 Search & Respond The Feeding of Great Children: The Impact of Nutrition on Learning Jump with Jill - High-Energy "Rockstar Nutritionist" Jill Jayne Gets Kids Moving - And Eating Right From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential Talking Transition - An Interview with An Expert SpecialCare: Getting and Staying Organized - The Effort Pays Off in Many Ways What You Eat Can Make a Difference The Positive Impact of Specialized Diet Food Intervention: How Do I Get Started? American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) Who Gets to Be an Advocate? Special Needs Alliance Families Reaching Professionals Living With a Disability Exceptional Parent - February 2010 Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Exceptional Parent - February 2010 (Page Cover1) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Exceptional Parent - February 2010 (Page Cover2) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Exceptional Parent - February 2010 (Page 1) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Contents (Page 2) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Contents (Page 3) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Contents (Page 4) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Contents (Page 5) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Ancora Imparo (Page 6) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Ancora Imparo (Page 7) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - New Products (Page 8) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Further Reading (Page 9) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Movie Review (Page 10) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Organizational Spotlight (Page 11) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - What's Happening (Page 12) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - What's Happening (Page 13) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Insight on Federal Policy. This Month's Focus: Section 504 (Page 14) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Insight on Federal Policy. This Month's Focus: Section 504 (Page 15) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Search & Respond (Page 16) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Search & Respond (Page 17) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Search & Respond (Page 18) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Search & Respond (Page 19) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - The Feeding of Great Children: The Impact of Nutrition on Learning (Page 20) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - The Feeding of Great Children: The Impact of Nutrition on Learning (Page 21) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Jump with Jill - High-Energy "Rockstar Nutritionist" Jill Jayne Gets Kids Moving - And Eating Right (Page 22) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Jump with Jill - High-Energy "Rockstar Nutritionist" Jill Jayne Gets Kids Moving - And Eating Right (Page 23) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 24) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 25) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 26) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 27) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 28) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 29) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 30) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 31) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 32) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 33) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 34) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 35) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 36) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Talking Transition - An Interview with An Expert (Page 37) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Talking Transition - An Interview with An Expert (Page 38) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Talking Transition - An Interview with An Expert (Page 39) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - SpecialCare: Getting and Staying Organized - The Effort Pays Off in Many Ways (Page 40) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - SpecialCare: Getting and Staying Organized - The Effort Pays Off in Many Ways (Page 41) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - SpecialCare: Getting and Staying Organized - The Effort Pays Off in Many Ways (Page 42) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - SpecialCare: Getting and Staying Organized - The Effort Pays Off in Many Ways (Page 43) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - What You Eat Can Make a Difference (Page 44) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - What You Eat Can Make a Difference (Page 45) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - The Positive Impact of Specialized Diet (Page 46) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - The Positive Impact of Specialized Diet (Page 47) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - The Positive Impact of Specialized Diet (Page 48) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Food Intervention: How Do I Get Started? (Page 49) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Food Intervention: How Do I Get Started? (Page 50) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) (Page 51) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) (Page 52) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) (Page 53) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) (Page 54) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) (Page 55) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Who Gets to Be an Advocate? (Page 56) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Who Gets to Be an Advocate? (Page 57) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Special Needs Alliance (Page 58) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Special Needs Alliance (Page 59) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Special Needs Alliance (Page 60) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Special Needs Alliance (Page 61) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Families Reaching Professionals (Page 62) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Families Reaching Professionals (Page 63) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Living With a Disability (Page 64) http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201009 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201008 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201007 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201006 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201005 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201004 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201003 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201002 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/2010rg http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200912 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200911 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200910 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200909 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200908 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200907 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200906 http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com
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