I've been doing research.
If you follow my blog at least somewhat, you probably have read about my son Gavin's special needs. He struggles with a speech disorder called Apraxia and a motor coordination disorder. And I would do just about anything to help my boys each reach his full potential and succeed. Especially if it allows Gavin to be more like other three year old children. Because even though I believe most of the time he is happy just the way he is, it's sometimes very hard for me to see how obvious the difference becomes when he's with a group of peers.
So we've already taken quite a few steps that have helped him tremendously already. He goes to preschool where he receives speech, occupational, and physical therapies. He's on fish oil to help with giving his brain the things it needs. We just try to do what we can. Though it often feels like maybe it's not enough... hence the next step we've decided to take.
They have done a lot of research with ADHD and autism and the relationship they have with allergies and malabsorption. Because there is a correlation between the two, many parents have changed the child's diet to benefit of the child. Often gluten and dairy are taken out of the diet as well as sugars, dyes, and other processed foods. There are some families with children like Gavin that have gone gluten-free and/or dairy/casein-free and have also had success. But until recently there were no studies done specifically with Apraxia. But last year a new, but small study was done with 200 families with Apraxic children. They have found the same link.
So we've already taken quite a few steps that have helped him tremendously already. He goes to preschool where he receives speech, occupational, and physical therapies. He's on fish oil to help with giving his brain the things it needs. We just try to do what we can. Though it often feels like maybe it's not enough... hence the next step we've decided to take.
They have done a lot of research with ADHD and autism and the relationship they have with allergies and malabsorption. Because there is a correlation between the two, many parents have changed the child's diet to benefit of the child. Often gluten and dairy are taken out of the diet as well as sugars, dyes, and other processed foods. There are some families with children like Gavin that have gone gluten-free and/or dairy/casein-free and have also had success. But until recently there were no studies done specifically with Apraxia. But last year a new, but small study was done with 200 families with Apraxic children. They have found the same link.
Ben's mom Ann has celiac disease. We have talked with her on several occasions about going gluten-free because she has read a lot on the subject and has lived gluten-free for 25 years. After talking with Ann again just recently and then finding and reading the article about the correlation they find between gluten especially and Apraxia, we have decided to go GLUTEN-FREE as a whole family. Which is a HUGE decision, but it's been a long time coming.
So right now we started the phase out stage. Using up the products that have gluten in them (which is probably about half to two-thirds of what we regularly use) and replacing them with a gluten-free option. In about one to two months we hope to be completely gluten-free. Once we get to that stage, we will go gluten-free for six to eight weeks and see if there is a difference in Gavin. If there is, we'll continue. If not, we'll probably put gluten back in the diet.
On Thursday, I took Gavin to the doctor to have blood drawn, so we could have him tested for both celiac disease and food allergies. Let's just say it wasn't much fun, but it should give us a better picture of Gavin. If his test does come back positive for celiac disease or for any food allergies, then we'll adjust our little plan accordingly. It'll be interesting to see what the test results in a week. Life may change overnight instead of slowly over a few weeks. Either way, we will try going gluten-free.
It's all a little overwhelming, but if it helps, then it is worth it. It may even be beneficial to Ben. He could have celiac disease as well, but has never tested for it. Going off of gluten and then trying to put it back into his diet will be a good indication if he has it or not.
I'm just grateful that the need for gluten-free food is being more and more recognized. I can go to Wal-Mart and find a little gluten-free section now. I am grateful for a wonderful mother-in-law who is ready and willing to help the transition go as smoothly as possible for our family. I'm grateful I can sit here in my home and find information from reliable and trusted sources on eating gluten-free because of technology and the internet. It makes this big and somewhat nerve-racking change a little easier.
1 comment:
Gluten Free is the way to be! With Chelise not being able to eat gluten I have gotten a lot more "gluten sauvey" if you will. Good luck though, I know you'll do great!
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