Regression on the GFCF Diet

By Theresa Madore

I too experienced regression in my son while on the diet. We had been CF for 6 months before we added the GF. He was a very balanced food eater, not real picky. And his stools were very good and regular, 1 a day - firm.

I know many children who have improved on the diet and I had a lot of help and support getting started. We were very careful. Within 3 days of starting the GF he regressed horribly, stimming where he almost never stimmed, behavior out the window (he couldn't even sit in timeout where before he would put himself in timeout for tantruming/hitting/kicking/yelling). It was so scary.

We held on for 6 weeks and it was devasting to see how much our son regressed; in fact he had never been that bad. I kept telling myself, "It is withdrawals or some sort of die off, hang in there and it will work." Could it have been lack of needed nutrients or a food allergy to something new we were giving him that was gf? We decided to take a break from it to see if anything would happen and within 3 days he had his personality back. He was back to eating his more balanced meals. He learned 90 words and 10 phrases in the next few weeks and so much more. He was learning rapidly before the diet too but not during the diet.

Needless to say we are still CF but no longer GF. He continues to progress. I know there must be something to this bad reaction so we are having him tested for 150 food sensitivity test that our doctor from the Texas Center for Autism Research and Treatment ordered. I don't want to do that blood draw again, believe me. The lab personnel kept sending for reinforcements, "He's autistic and very aggitated." "We need more help holding on to his arms. "He is incredibly strong." etc... You get the picture. Dad and Mom were soaked with sweat and I, Mom, managed not to break down until it was over. We are not against going GF again if we know that it is what he needs - the doctor agreed. I had really hoped the diet would be our step towards recovery as it was for some of the families I read about in the books.

You may email Theresa Madrone at autismzone@yahoo.com.

Please visit her web site at www.angelfire.com/tx5/autism.