The GFCF Diet Explained

Neuro-Scientist

University of Tennessee

Major improvements in speech and behavior have been linked to the removal of these common allergens. Many parents and physicians agree that removing Gluten and Casein from an autistic person’s diet can increase cognitive function and reduce the prevalence of Autistic traits. Gluten is found mostly in rye, wheat and barley (breads). It is also present in catsups and spaghetti sauces. Casein is a milk-derived protein that is found in dairy products and it’s used as a binding agent in many others.

The first studies of Gluten and Casein relating to the symptoms of Autism were carried out in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Dr. F.C. Dohan hypothesized that a restricted diet could lead to significant improvement or recovery from Autism, Schizophrenia and other behavior related disorders. The best evidence to support this statement lies in the thousands of case reports of improvement or recovery of children with Autism on this diet.

It has been suggested that peptides from gluten and casein may have a role in the origins of Autism and that the physiology and psychology of Autism might be explained by excessive opioid activity linked to these peptides. Opioid activity in Autism is the way in which gluten and casein are metabolized to produce a hallucinogenic effect in the brain. Most Autistic person’s have a “leaky-gut.” This causes the peptides to pass through the blood-brain barrier undigested causing an LSD-like effect. The opioids inhibit the ability to feel pain like a typical person. Opioids also cause sensitivities to light and sound.

There are several diets that parents and physicians suggest, like the Specific Carbohydrate Diet or SCD. Most people with Autism show a significant improvement with the GFCF diet, some show progress using the SCD, while others will benefit from the removal of allergens like eggs, corn and soy. Finding the right diet can be exhausting for both parent and child. The benefits, however, have proven to be worth the hard work.



For more info: Visit Talking About Curing Autism at TACAnow.org and The Autism Network for Dietary Intervention at AUTISMndi.com

Autism in Haiti

Haitian earthquake survivor

Haiti, prior to the January 12th 2010 earthquake, had little to no resources for it's disabled persons. Most children with disabilities were given away or abandoned at the first sign of any abnormalities. Families do not have the resources to help these children and too often the disorders are not understood. Some Haitians can even believe disorders like Autism to be evil spirits inhabiting the bodies of the affected.

Di Allisandro Ricci -Geopolitica.com

Haiti had only one clinic that treated people with Autism. Chris Italia of Spectrum Magazine wrote, "There was a clinic in Los Palis, it wasn’t much, but it was the only place in Haiti where once a week children with developmental disabilities gather to receive treatment. “It’s not there anymore,” says Marco Hillien, brother of Bishop Simon-Pierre Saint Hillien, who is currently stationed in the Hinche region of Haiti. “Nothing’s there. Right now they are just trying to track all their patients. They are looking for all those who were suffering from various illnesses before the earthquake.” Hillien goes on to say that he felt they were making real strides over the past three years with the clinic. Now the most devastating earthquake in 200 years has wiped the clinic off the map.

Molly Hightower in Haiti

Molly Hightower, a 22 year old American woman, working with children with disabilities in Haiti was found dead January 15th. She was working with Friends of the Orphans helping to provide services for children with Autism, downs syndrome and related disabilities. She was one of only a few who helped enrich the lives of those who were abandoned because of their intellectual and genetic differences. The Autism community is praying that someone like Molly survived and they are looking after the disabled in Haiti.

No one can say this soon what will become of Haiti or it's disabled citizens. We can only hope that from devastation a new begining can emerge for all of the Haitians around the world.

For more info: Read Molly's Blog 525,600 How do You Measure a Year? See what you can do to help the victims of this catastrophe.

The Autism Education Center : A New Hope for 2010

I have had the great fortune to be living in the first place in the Panhandle of Florida to offer treatments for children with Autism ranging from Speech therapy to helping with the various diets and even giving guidance and instruction on enzyme therapy.

The Autism Education Center is a ground-breaking treatment facility. The AEC offers so much for our children that we could not find affordable and we could not find all in one stop.
The AEC is not for profit! This allows them to offer services that have been extremely costly at a shockingly, affordable price. Most of the services are covered by public health insurance (Medi-caide).

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The AEC's wonderful and board certified staff can answer any questions you have concerning Autism including and not limited to:

• Definition of Autism
• Characteristics of Autism
• Autistic Gut?
• Prognosis for Autism
• Siblings
• Aspergers
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Eating Issues
• Hand flapping
• Eye Contact
• Tip Toe Walking
• Vaccinations
• Parental Blood Groups
• OCD and Rituals
• Visual Viewpoint from Gabe
• Visual Viewpoint from Roo

Helen and her husband Joesph are the parents of 4 children. They live everyday of their lives with their own autistic children, therefore they bring something to the table that other professionals cannot offer. As parents of these special kids we all know what a difference it makes to talk to and work with professionals that have "real" experience with Autism.

Helen has worked every aspect of the center around the specific characteristics that children with autism often display. She has even had the forethought to make the center look like a child's bedroom. This eases anxiety and fears that most of children have with a typical therapy setting. She allows the children to warm up to not only the center but their staff at pace the children comfortable with. She often allows the children to choose the staff member they are most comfortable with. So many aspects of the treatments given at the AEC are focused on the way our children adapt to their environments, new places and new people can be extremely upsetting for our kids. Helen seems to have found the perfect solution to the cold, sterile office environment. When the kiddos, as Helen so affectionately refers to her angels, are comfortable they can really reach their full potentials.


Here is the web address www.autismeducationcenter.net