We occasionally get letters or comments from parents that have seen improvements in health with diet. To help provide hope to so many still in the trenches, I’ve decided to make more of an effort to share some these comments (with their permission, of course). Many of us don’t have it all figured out, but we cling to the hope and words of progress. Everyone’s journey is different, diet changes may not reap huge changes for all, but it is absolutely helping some. Like this family, glutamate and diet have been a huge piece to our puzzle. Thank you for giving us hope…
“I would like to offer hope. We started REID 7 years ago. I figured out what was contributing to my child’s ASD and SPD symptoms on my own and was beyond grateful when I found this group. I was no longer alone on this journey and I could understand the science behind it. My child’s gut was enormous, he could tolerate 10 foods, was reacting both physically and behaviorally to gluten, corn, soy, diary, peanuts, msg, natural flavors and preservatives. We could not attend any social events and even had to homeschool for a period of time because of behaviors. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare.
We cleaned up diet and cooked everything from scratch for 5 years. No exceptions. My child is now 12 and is 100% neurotypical- the sweetest kid who is kind, loving and full of empathy.
As a single working mom to 3 I could no longer do the cooking and baking I was doing. We started adding more foods back into his diet and found that we can tolerate corn, soy, dairy, some peanuts, and even food additives without any reaction at all. Still GF. We can eat out at many places with zero reactions. We still eat very clean but not perfect. Occasionally buckets get full and we have a couple of hours of symptoms (compared to 3 weeks). Also can use Claritin when behaviors rarely surge and within 20 minutes symptoms resolve.
Although I wanted to do herbs, I couldn’t find the time or energy to try them so we did none. The only other therapies were vision therapy and Craniosacral therapy – both were as important as diet.
For all of you beginning your journey – it will be one of the hardest things you do but the payoffs are worth everything! People will think you are nuts and be unsupportive (including family and good friends) – just ignore them and know you are doing the very best for your kid and that your kid will heal!!”
-Anonymous Mom