big mamma

Hi all, Still battling on with learning how to feed junior on the new diet. I am finding it difficult but I think we are over the worst of the withdrawal now apart from a few manic episodes . I have just found out that the bread my mum has been giving her ( Dietary Specials White Loaf ) has 'milk derivatives in it. She has finally started eating the Dietary Special Multi -Grain loaf from me but I am now worried that it has milk hidden in it somewhere. Does anyone else following the diet use this bread and found it OK ? Please don't make me have to resort to bread-making - my pancakes look strange enough !!

Hi Ray and a big welcome to the forum <'>

Hello Star, My daughter was diagnosed last year at aged 2 1/2 as having an Autistic spectrum disorder. She fits the definition of Aspergers Syndrome but I think they prefer to be more general with their diagnosis when they are young becuase they can and do change a lot ! I always thought she was different but it only really became noticeable at probably around the 15 month mark when she developed various obssessions and rituals and still couldn't sleep throught the night ( and unfortunately still can't !! )

After long, ongoing constipation and stomach ache problems with daughter finally took the plunge to go dairy free. Am very pleased to report that almost immediately the constipation / pain disappeared and she is now " going like a navvy" She is still craving milk and cheese but seeing the good results have kept me steadfast.

Hi All, I used this for about 6 months to no avail. However a couple of my friends with NT kids that were bad sleepers had good results. Can't do any harm to give it a go.

Hi Busy Lizzie, A very good book is 'Dietary Intervention and Autism ' by Marilyn Le Breton which is very easy to read and has some easy recipes as well ! Good luck.

Thanks Jaded, Think I will get her a multi-vit just to ease my mind a little. You can only imagine the excitement in this household caused by a nicely formed poo !!

Hello all, Over the last 10 days I have changed daughters milk to Guernsey and only allow 1/2 cup in morning and 1/2 cup in evening. She had a bad bottom rash again but I persevered through it and it's now almost away. Have also stopped all yoghurts , cheese etc. After about a week I noticed that ( sorry about this folks ) her poos were normal looking and it didn't seem to be such a strain for her - she also has stopped complainging about tummy ache. My next step is to remove all forms of dairy completely but - she has drastically reduced her food intake in the last week - she used to have quite a big appetite and would have a go at anything - now she is picking at her lunch and refusing her tea. She's even refusing chips and she loved them before. I'm quite concerned - is this typical ?

I'm the spider catcher in our house - only because I'm slightly less scared of them than hubby ! Colossal one on the wall this morning - I usually do the humane thing and catch them in a glass and put them outside ( so they can come back when they feel like it complains hubby ). I knew there was no way the expanse of the beast's legs would fir the glass so vaccumed it up at full throttle. Now we just have to get my mum round to empty the bag !!

Thanks BD - have always found 'Daddies' a bit problematic as well !

If the product says gluten free but has glucose syrup noted in the ingredients then can I assume it's ok ? What about Heinz baked beans ?

Hi Teresa, you're doing exactly the right thing in going for an assessment tomorrow - things can only get better from here.

Hi Jaded, Yes - her head has a very distinctive smell at night and not that pleasant to be honest ! Also when she wakes up in the morning she is all over the place - like her mind has woken up before her body or something. I have to tread very carefully with her 1st thing as she can have quite wild meltdowns if I say the 'wrong' thing - she'll throw herself about and has hurt herself on the wall a couple of times. As long as I stay calm it will eventually pass over but it's very strange.

Flutter, Thinking of you - stick to your guns <'>

Hi Phyl, My daughter is the very same. My mum could be having a great day with her whilst I am out but the minute I come back in and try and discuss something with my mum she goes bananas ! It's very annoying and I have tried all ways to get round it but haven't managed to yet . If you find the answer give me a shout

My daughter has horrendous night sweats - she looks like her head has been dipped in a bath of water. Doctor assured me that we all sweat like this during the night - we're just not awake to notice !! Did the rice crispy / marshmallow thing 2nite. The mixture was a bit sticky to work with ( probably just the right consistency for waxing your legs ) but again end result was quite tasty. Two home bakes in 2 days - I'm away for a lie down in a darkened area.

Cheers BD - I'll keep plugging away at the home baking - I've already eaten 6 of the fairy cakes - better look out my kaftan !

Another question ! Are marshmallows gf/cf ? Any other sweets that you could buy in the shops ? Baked my first batch of gf/cf fairy cakes yesterday and they went down a treat ! I have never baked or cooked anything entirely from scratch before but I am determined to learn !! I have been trying junior with gf/cf versions of things she liked ie. chocolate and nice tasting breakfast cereals which she seems to enjoy for a couple of days but then starts asking for the 'proper tasting ones '. I also managed a completely gluten free day with her but next morning she was screaming for weetabix - she then ate one completely dry!! She never seemed to bother with weetabix before. She is now also resolutely refusing the DS toasted bread - even though she quite liked the taste of it before. Do you think I am just annoying her system by cutting back on the gluten during my 'testing' period - should it be all or nothing ? Just noticed that I've rambled on from more than one question !!

Hi there, I went to see them this year - they were two of the speakers along with Wendy Lawson - and they were very good. They also took questions at the end and were very down to earth and helpful. Hope you can change his mind !

Yahoo !!

Just an aside - I'm going to a conference in Edinburgh on 15/10/05 which is all about dietary and other interventions which could help autistic kids and the keynote speaker is Dr Jacquelyn McCandless ( author of Children With Starving Brains ). Very strange that I should find out about this conference ( quite by accident ) when I'm looking at Juniors diet. Perhaps 'tis kismet !!

Jaded, Baddad and any other Gf/CF fans !! I have seen a dairy free spread called Pure - can you use this as the margarine in this recipe - or any other that calls for margarine ? Also I keep reading that ASD children can also be intolerant to soya - although she doesn't like soya milk it hasn't made her ill or anything -how do you know if soya causes your child problems ?

Thankyou for your replies. I'm 99 % certain that i'm going to try the diet and I'm trying to get my battle plan in order so that I don't fall at the first hurdle. She has a big addiction to milk but can't stand the taste of soy or rice milk ( and neither can I ). What can I give her as her last drink of the day / first drink in the morning - do you just use juice ? So many questions !!

Hi Jaded, I have tried to call a few times but it was an answering machine. will try again next week. Paedetrician has already told me that she can't support the diet and won't refer me to a nutrionist or for other testings at the moment as 'they are totally overstretched'. As I said when I mentioned my concerns to the doctor he instantly dismissed them so I may have to go it alone and get some private testing / nutritional advice. What has others on the GF/CF done ?

Hello All. Daughter's results have come back as : - IAG present in urine but not the biggest 'spike'. They suggest that removing gluten could well help with her constipation, behaviour etc but because IAG wasn't the biggest comopund ( they don't actually know what the other compund is ) it's not certain - No peptides from casein were found I was kind of waiting for something a bit more striking to show the doctor as I'd like some support with implementing the diet but based on the findings ( a copy of which has already been sent to the doctor ) I've got a feeling he'll give me the bums rush again. How many others have actually got any support from their doctors on this and were your results a bit more conclusive ? Any help greatly appreciated as always !!