The Debate on BIomedical Including the GFCF Diet

There seems to be an ongoing debate between parents of autistic children, doctors and even friends about the GFCF diet and other biomedical treatments.  I have met mothers and fathers who are open to trying anything,  parents who are scared and overwhelmed about making any kind of a change and other parents whose doctors have told them that it won't work.  To those doctors, I say shame on you.  Shame on you for destroying the chance that a child with autism could get better and shame on you for destroying the hope of a parent.   I know my own personal convictions on biomedical.  I've been to these 'doctors' and heard their lack of belief.  These are also the same doctors who told me that nothing was wrong with my daughter and that vaccines are not harmful.  Here is my response,  "There is hope and healing!".  For us, the diet, supplementation, therapies and schooling have been her miracle treatment.  In Dr. Bock's book he talks about developing a healing program.  This is ours and thanks to it we have a totally different daughter then we did a year ago.

The problem is not in whether the diet works, but in the support we give one another.  Not just between parents of autistic children who do and don't practice the diet but also between spouses.  One of the things I am so grateful for is that my husband had his doubts, but was willing to try.  Before we had read all the books and were convinced in the science behind biomedical, we knew we had to try.  The question became, what is the worst that could happen?  She'd try different foods, get good quality supplements and we'd be out a little money.  In the long run it seemed like a small price to pay for a ray of hope and the chance at recovery.  Today I am so grateful that we tried.  

I have to point out that the diet, supplementation and therapies aren't the answer for everyone. For some children it won't have the same results that we have had.  For some the healing will be more moderate, but for some it will be truly a miracle.  The best part is that it won't hurt your child.  Your child won't get sick from taking out the gluten or dairy.  They won' t get worse.  The great news, they just might get better.  Isn't that worth the chance?

Supplements - Part of the Healing Equation

I am often asked about what supplements Aleks is taking and where I came up with the list. Before I put the list of her supplements up, let me first state again that I am NOT a doctor. I am working with Dr. S (DAN! Doctor) , have done my own research and have also had blood/stool/urine and hair analysis done. This is the list that works best for Aleks, but it is not a one size fits all supplement list. I strongly recommend Dr. Jaquelyn McCandless book, Children With Starving Brains. It explains the supplementation and how it helps to heal the body. I used the results of Aleks' tests, Dr. S and p. 116-117 to come up with her supplementation program. Dr. S has been key in helping with the dosages, supplements and the why.

Please note that all supplements are mixed in either organic apple juice or Dari-Free. I also started using an additional flavoring with the apple juice to hide the supplements flavors. I use either Kirkman Labs Strawberry Flavoring or Stevia Valenia Orange Flavoring (Fresh & Natural Grocery Store).
**Probiotics & Digestive Enzymes should NOT be taken at the same time.

Super Nu Thera - Hypoallerenic Capsules -- 1 capsule 2 x day in juice

Nordic Naturals Children's DHA strawberry flavor - 1/2 t. 2 x day (Whole Foods or Fresh & Natural)

L-Carnitine - 1000 mg day -1/2 t. 1x day (Dr. S office in Stillwater, MN)

Unbuffered Vitamin C - Unflavored - Hypoallergenic - 1/4 t.(1100mg) 2 x day (Kirkman Labs)

Zinc- Hypo-allergenic - 60mg - 20/40 breakdown in AM & PM juice (Kirkman Labs)

Calcium - Hypoallergenic - 1000mg - 1/4 t. -Mix with lunch Dari-Free & Probiotic (Kirkman Labs)
*Vitamin D - 175mg - 1x day as part of the Calcium powder

CoQ10 - Hypoallergenic - 50 mg. day - 1 -25mg capsule - 2x day (Kirkman Labs)

Probiotics - 1 capsule - 2x day in DariFree - Metagenics - Ultra Flora Plus DF Capsules - (Dr. S office)

Faith, Hope & Healing-

Melissa