Biomedical Treatments for Autism & the GFCF Diet Why does a gluten-free, casein-free diet help kids with Autism? What does that have to do with ABA therapy?

By Sheila Carney

12/2013

Why Diet and ABA Go Together Children who are treated through both diet and ABA make more and faster improvements than children who are only doing one therapy or the other.

About Me • My role here is to help parents with all questions related to Autism beyond behavior: special needs sports, dentists and doctors, sibling support groups, grants, books, etc. • I’m not a doctor, just a mom who is passionate about helping families through diet and resources.

• I really like cookies. If they’re gluten-free, they’re “good for me” so I can eat more of them... Right?

What is “BioMed?” Biomedical Treatment for the underlying biological disorders of Autism: – Nutrient deficiencies (C, D, zinc, magnesium, B, iron, cholesterol) – Acid reflux – Heavy metal toxicity (like lead poisoning) – Food allergies and sensitivities – Yeast and bacteria overgrowth

Does this sound like any of your kiddos? • Biting, stimming, self-harm, fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, eczema, seizures, hyperactivity, inattention, poor weight gain, always sick, trouble sleeping, sound sensitivity • These are often caused by underlying medical conditions

• Think about how you might act if your stomach hurt all day, every day, for your whole life…

If you heal these medical conditions… …many of these behaviors will improve. • When my son first began to talk, he kept saying, “the tummy hurts. The tummy hurts.” Over and over. • One day, 2 years after I was doing Biomed, he said to me, “My tummy hurts a lot and a lot. All the time. It hurts very much.”

Science-y Stuff… A good source of research is autism.com (Autism Research International’s website).

Mitochondrial dysfunction

Source: autisminnb.blogspot.com

source: http://www.autismone.org/sites/default/files/walsh.pdf

Rylie’s IgG Blood test for food allergens, and Organic Acid Test Results:

Minnie Cat will be relaxing out on the porch while you guys figure this Science Stuff out.

What are some BioMed treatments? • Alternative diets • Supplementation of vitamins

• Chelation (removal) of heavy metals • Oxygen therapy

My Hayden is on the GFCF diet. Hayden’s story… YouTube Video: Hayden’s Grandpa

What is the GFCF diet? Diet is a great place to start: easy, cheap, & often times shows a quick response. There are many alternative diets that benefit Autism: SCD, Feingold, GFCF, GAPS.

Most parents start with GFCF. GF: Gluten-free (no wheat) CF: Casein-free (no dairy / milk); similar to the Vegan diet.

thelivingproofinstitute.com

http://www.healthybrainforlife.com/articles/food-allergies-and-intolerance/copy_of_gluten-free-please

www.peds.ufl.edu

How GFCF works

• Wheat, Soy, and Milk are all similar proteins • Leaky gut occurs

Image source: http://constantlyfeelingsick.com/

• The proteins enter the blood, go to the brain, and attach to opiate centers, acting as a drug.

Milk • Yogurt, cheese, ice cream, butter, sour cream • Hidden sources include medicines, candy, hot dogs, lunch meat

Wheat • Bread, pasta, crackers, cereal • Hidden sources: play dough, shampoo, soy sauce, stickers

Common food mistakes • Cooking with butter

• Ice cream

• Yogurt

• French Fries

• Baked goods

• Gravy

• Fried foods

• Box mixes

• Chips

• Ketchup

• Most restaurant dishes

• Hot dogs

• Bacon

• Sausage

What CAN they eat? • Any Proteins: chicken, hamburger, pork chops, ham, beans, peanut butter

• Store-bought or homemade GFCF foods

• Any Veggies: carrots, tomato sauce, green beans • Any Fruits: apples, pears, bananas, strawberries Needs to work with your Bite-for-Bite program

Biomed and Diet are a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t do too much at once!

If you successfully heal their tummies, you can possibly add foods back in to their diet.

For most kids, you need to continue with other Biomedical interventions to continue healing.

Rylie’s grain-free, sugar-free story  Rylie is GFCF and SCD (Specific Carb Diet)

 SCD is similar to the Paleo diet. Only protein, fruit and veggies; no grains, starches, or sugars. (Natural sugars from fruit are allowed in moderation.)

SCD cupcake

This is how Rylie feels about sugar.

Most modern American diets contain too many carbs, dyes, flavors, preservatives, and SUGAR.

Key is consistency and no infractions • Giving one glass of milk can • School and home must be throw off the diet for two consistent weeks • Infractions should be • Giving one Oreo can throw reported so parents can give off the diet for 3 to 6 enzymes at home months

Autism Yesterday The video that made me cry, gave me hope, and got me started on this journey.

vimeo.com/3443801# / youtube.com/watch?v=suQ1Mtl3D3Q

The Starfish

http://hope-lavender.blogspot.com/2012/06/starfish.html

Biomed is not a replacement for ABA therapy Biomed

Speech

Autism Treatment

OT

ABA

What can ABA fix that Biomed can’t? Tying shoes Washing hands Asking questions Eating with a spoon Reading his name Saying hi to his friends Telling his Mom he loves her

What can Biomed fix that ABA can’t? •

Rashes and eczema

•

Stomach aches

•

Frequent illness

•

Irritability

•

Low iron

•

BMs and urination

What types of things improve when you combine ABA and diet? • Sound sensitivity • Patience • Eye contact

• Language skills • Attention • Social Skills • Stimming and tics • Willingness to try new foods

Biomed is not a cure.

Everyone responds to Biomed differently. Some kids, “non-responders,” don’t respond well at all. Some respond very slowly. The goal of this presentation is to expose you to Biomed and invite you to ask questions and keep an open mind. Thank you for your time today!

Recipes, Ideas, Information TACA pages tacanow.org/tag/gfcf & tacanow.org/recipes

GFCF Pinterest Board pinterest.com/sheiladamron/gfcfrecipes

Gluten Free Goddess glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com

SCD/Paleo Pinterest board pinterest.com/sheiladamron/scdpaleo

Gluten Free Mom glutenfreemom.com

Comfy Belly comfybelly.com Ginger Lemon Girl gingerlemongirl.blogspot.com/p/ recipes.html

ARI (Autism Research Institute): Webinars, videos, presentations Autism.com

Staci Small, Registered Dietitian, Greenwood thewellnessphilosophy.com

Nature's Pharm www.naturesAutism One PowerPoint presentations pharm.com GFCF and organic foods on Biomed http://bit.ly/1bUuoEe Our Kids ASD ourkidsasd.com To purchase vitamins and supplements

View and print this presentation online • http://bit.ly/18WoBLx Hope and Lavender: Hayden and Rylie’s blog & Facebook page • hope-lavender.blogspot.com • facebook.com/AutismIsNotForever

Hayden’s YouTube Channel • youtube.com/user/sedamron1