Hope

"We are not just what we eat; we are what we eat, digest, absorb, and utilize" (from the Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook)

Wow...it is hard to believe that Monday's BIG day! We are going to see Dr. Megson and we have so much hope that she will be able to help us get Caleb on track. The way I look at it (and I may have high hopes)...we have 1 year to possibly get Caleb into regular Kindergarden. I have my hopes set that one year from now...we'll look back and say....Look how far we've come!!!!

Over the past few months, I have been trying to really educate myself with as much information as I can about Autism. I have come along way since the day that my friend Lisa explained to me that PDD was on the Spectrum. I have been reading books, listening to DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Podcasts, talking to other parents, and observing Caleb. We are also hoping to go to a few of the sessions at the 2010 National Autism Conference in State College, PA. As I've heard Joyce Meyer say, "I'm not where I should be...but thank God I'm not where I used to be." This education will enable us to help Caleb function in a typical world.

I am really fascinated that diet can play an important role in helping children on the Spectrum. This has provided a dose of hope! From what I understand....the Amino Acids are like letters in a word. The word that they make up are called peptides. Since many of these children have problems with their digestion, such as not enough digestive enzymes and/or leakiness of the intestinal lining...some of the words (peptides) are getting into the bloodstream. This causes problems in the body and potentially short-circuits brain functioning. Certain foods are harder to break down..Glutens, Casein, Soy, etc.

Dr. Megson will be conducting a Peptide test on Caleb to determine if Caleb has a leaky gut. This test will help us to determine if this diet...and which form of this diet is necessary. Many of these children are addicted to these type(s) of foods since they create Opiate-like effects. Caleb's favorite foods are Bread, Bread, Bread, Pasta. I have hope that this will help Caleb. I was also reading where lack of Zinc can cause depletion in Vitamin A which is the most notable symptom is eye contact. Another symptom is limited taste which could cause these children to eat something gross....like play dough. Magnesium depletion causes low muscle tone. Caleb takes Occupational and Physical therapy to help with the muscle tone on the right side of his body. There is hope, there is hope, there is hope!

I am also going to ask Dr. Megson if the intestinal problems Caleb had as a baby...could be linked too this.

To replace missing nutrients..the Doctor might recommend Cod Liver Oil (to replace Vitamin A)and Zinc. Certain things in the diet...dark green veggies...can help add back the magnesium or other important nutrients that are depleted.

Of course, I am looking into this with an open-mind. This diet may or may not work. It doesn't hurt to try it!!! If anything, Caleb will be eating healthier since this diet goes back to the early time where humans ate fish, meats, fruits, vegetables, and nuts and seeds. They did not consume milk, grains, beans, or potatoes because milk products were not available and other foods could not be consumed because they were raw and could cause severe symptoms. Eventually cooking and domestication brought those foods into the diet. Milk is not as healthy as our culture makes it sound yet it is in so many of the products that we consume on a daily basis. So many things aren't healthy for us to consume. Artificial Sweeter--contained in sodas -are the worse because they impair regulation of calorie intake resulting in overeating, etc. They can actually cause the opposite to happen...hmmm. They also deplete important nutrients in the body...opposite of what electrolye drinks like gatorade do. I'm not sure I even want to talk about hydrogenated oils which are basically mutated plastics that cause neurological problems, etc. One last important thing that I learned is that Wheat Flour is not really as healthy as it seems (actually white flour is not good either). Whole grains actually release sugars slowly into the body but when it is mashed down...it can cause blood glucose to raise much faster.

So if we haven't gained anything out of all this...we've gained the knowledge to eat better and maybe live longer because we are healthier.