Going Gluten Free

Chad was diagnosed with Aspergers last year. We had ongoing issues with his behavior at school. I thought that there was a little more to the problem than him being a bully. We did get some testing and the diagnosis followed. It was actually a relief. It explained so many of Chads little quirks. He is really such a love able kid. There was a kid in the class that just drove him nuts and was always "in his bubble." We were eventually able to get him changed into a different class and the problems stopped... relief! Chad is really smart and tested almost off the charts in areas. I was only able to encourage him to potty train by teaching him to drive. He now knows how to drive a vehicle, the tractor, and forklift. I realize this sounds crazy, but that is a way to motivate him. He is unlike most children and we really had a hard time with the motivation factor. He is forever tying things up and taking things apart to figure them out. He has had a fascination with lights, keys and anything that opens or closes for years. He can literally drive you up the wall to open and close things. He just loves different types of doors like sliding, garage, ect... I am betting he will be some type of engineer or something which was exactly what Phx Children's said.



On to this year... the problems have started up again. Things have been pretty crazy at the Allen household. We have had lots going on. Mom is running for School Board, Dad is out of town and strep seems to be running thru the house. Dan and I also volunteer for Arizona Game & Fish as Hunter Ed Instructors, in which we are in the middle of a class. Anyhow, I went back into research mode and decided to try Chad on a Gluten Free diet. It is really supposed to be helpful with kids on the autistic spectrum. (Aspergers is similar to autism and it is helpful to remove gluten, milk, and dyes from a childs diet to help control issues associated with Autism and Aspergers) Keep in mind Chad is a kid that LIVES on sandwiches (one of his quirks... if it is not chicken nuggets, pizza or fries, it gets tucked in bread be it spaghetti, eggs or whatever...) We tried to go this way last year and he did not handle it well.



Mom and Chad sat down and had a real heart to heart. Mom needs to eat gluten free to be healthy. Chad can eat gluten free and see if it helps him to be a better person. Well he is good with it, (The food is a HUGE adjustment) I have to give the little guy credit. He is doing great. Not only with the diet, but we are again going GREEN at school! Yeah to small hurdles... Chads concern now is that there will be a corn chip for him at sacrament. (At right is one of my favorite pictures of Chad. We would just play for hours with blocks and still will. Not just legos, but BLOCKS of wood, and he wants them cut certian ways.)