Comments on: Special Diet, Charlie Style

By: Forbidden Fruit Syndrome and Getting Your Just Desserts

Forbidden Fruit Syndrome and Getting Your Just Desserts — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:57:04 +0000

[...] (And eating some yourself doesn’t hurt.) (Yes, I like Brussels sprouts.) Charlie does have a fairly varied diet and has been known to have a taste for cauliflower and sautéed green onions (separately); I think [...]

By: Beyond Anecdotal Evidence: Clinical Trial of the GFCF Diet

Beyond Anecdotal Evidence: Clinical Trial of the GFCF Diet — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:36:10 +0000

[...] and there is less worry among everybody as we can go to social events without bringing in “special food” that Charlie mostly turned his nose up at. He sees the rest of us eating something else, why [...]

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:02:39 +0000

Thanks for all this information—have tried them all with Charlie (who also eats very little junk food and has been taking a lunchbox loaded with fruits and vegetables to school).

By: Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN

Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:41:47 +0000

As a nutrition educator and clinician I’ve found that working with finding specific food intolerances has been invaluable. I’ve been working with one 7 year old on the spectrum whose parents brought her to see me because she still isn’t toilet trained and because her behavior was intolerable at home and in school. Within two weeks of being on a gluten-free/casein free/sugar/coloring and additive-free diet her behavior was markedly improved. Her ability to sit and learn in class was joyfully noted by her teacher. I know that it’s hard to implement, but today there are so many tasty rice-based product. Cereals, crackers, pasta. And don’t forget about quinoa, millet, buckwheat and other gluten-free grains. There are many great books on this. I’ve also created a free guide at my website Nutrition and Mind. According to the Autism Research Institute, nearly 2/3 of children benefit from this diet. Isn’t it work a few weeks? The first one is the hardest and then you fall into an easy rhythm and routine. And children are smart. After a while they don’t want to eat foods that make them feel awful. I’ve had children as young as 3 years old be able to make this decision to eat right for the brain.

My sons are in college, but when they were small we lived in Chicago and they also ate every type of ethnic food. They’ll try anything. Variety is key.

By: This and Last’s Weeks Top Posts

This and Last’s Weeks Top Posts — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 07:04:50 +0000

[...] Special Diet, Charlie Style More or less or sometimes gluten-free and casein-free; make sure there’s sushi, rice, and eel. [...]

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:59:24 +0000

This is a topical post for me because my son was just diagnosed last month, and I’ve been hedging on GC/GF. Your post inspired me. I bought a box of gluten free pasta at Trader Joes today. Seriously. If my kids will willingly eat this stuff and it doesn’t break the bank, I think I’m going to give it a try.

My NT son is allergic to milk, so we’re already all about the soy. And I agree – the food restrictions really force you to filter the junk out. My NT son is allergic to both milk and egg. He’s never had pizza or mac and cheese or nuggets (breading have egg) or fishsticks. It forced me to cook healthy for him.

By: b5media Promotes the National Nutrition Month

b5media Promotes the National Nutrition Month — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:07:26 +0000

[...] at Autism Vox looks into gluten-free casein-free diet for autistic kids, and the types of foods that has worked [...]

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:06:42 +0000

same here—-daily walk or swim or other aerobic exercise makes all the difference.

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:15:40 +0000

Correction: I meant my kids never tried the GF/CF diet.

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:14:30 +0000

My oldest loves spicy curry and LOVES rice. I have never tried the GF/CF diet. I did read up on it and even went casein free for a few weeks but it is too difficult for me. I really need proof that it works before I get motivated. I find that lots of activity works best with my kids. We swim for about 2 hours every other day and take lots of walks after school. Of course, it wears me more out than them. I need to pick up some more melantonin to get them to bed at a decent hour.