How Nutrition Can Impact Behaviors Relating To Autism & ADHD- Sonya Bell,RN

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sonya: Let me start by telling you all a little about mysel. I am an adopted parent. My adopted daughter is now eight years old four years ago she was diagnosed with ADHD my birth son who is now was diagnosed with Autism three years ago.

judy: Sonya how can nutrition impact behaviors in children with Autism and ADHD?

rusaved4: My husband and I have been a Special Needs Foster Parent for 15 years and I have 2 children that has been diagnosed with Autism in the last year.

sonya: My son is now five. We have tried different dietary measures within the last two years. We have been pleased with the results.

sonya: Nutrition plays a big part in the behavior. For instance, certain foods and preservatives can attribute to the hyperactivity of the child.

sonya: The first diet we tried was the gluten free casein free diet. With that you eliminate all dairy and wheat with other grains as well such as oats and barley. There is a wbsite that can give more info regarding the diet www.gfcfdiet.com.

Shannon H: Was that the one that worked best, or did you have to try others first?

sonya: The next thing we did was the feingold program that eliminates artificial colors preservatives and and artificial flavors. The website for that is www.feingold.org That has been very helpful. Both kids are on the feingold program. My son does not need gluten free casein free anymore. That's the good thing, some of these may be temporary.

judy: Is there a type of physician or other professional that a person can consult to help them get started and manager the diet?

sonya: Most definetly , each child is different. You just have to try to fid out what will work for your child.

cindy: were your children on both diets and the same time or one diet at a time, which worked better

sonya: Good question Judy, unfortunately most pediatricians don't know about alternative treatments. We were lucky to have gotten started with an integrated physician in Stockbridge, Ga. He is not there anymore, he moved out of state. Although now we see an natural pathothic physician who is also a R.N. in ATL. She has been wonderful.

sonya: My daughter was not on the gluten free casen free, but my son was on the gfcf first then we began the feingold with both children. I have a change for the better with both diets. Now we all have eliminated artificial colors, flavors and preservatives from our diets. That makes preparing meals a lot easier!

sonya: You could start looking for DAN practioners, DAN stands for Defeat Autism Now. Also go to www.autisminfo.com.

judy: Does a DAN practioner give guidance on managing diet restrictions? What else may they do?

rusaved4: Can you be specific about the changes in your children behavior please

sonya: Some of the preservatives that we avoid are nitrates, MSG, BHA, BHT, and TBHQ, along with artificial flavorings such as vanillin. Vanillin is not vanilla. Vanillin is in alot of choc.chips and frostings, among other things. Most preservatives are found in processed foods.

sonya: The first thing I noticed with my son was that his tantrums stopped. He also is not as aggressive they are much calmer and focused. The hyperactivity has come down alot.

Kim: Sonja with all the fast foods and processed food out there , do you have a suggestion on how to get started, we all like easy anymore

sonya: Yes, I absolutely read labels. Once you get started then it gets better. You learn what to buy and what is not"safe".

sonya: I pack lunches for all three kids. The teachers know about their special diets, and we have not had any problems. They have been very cooperative. I usually send in special treats for special occasions. That helps alot, especially when a classmate has a birthday.

cindy: have you explained this to your children and how have the accepted and follow their dietary needs?

sonya: Personally I find it easier to stay away from fast foods. My kids know that now and don't even ask anymore. There are some processed foods that do not contain preservatives. I can find these at healthfood stores, and now Kroger, Publix and Ingles have started carrying healthier choices and some organic items.

Shannon H: I think the grocery store called Whole Foods carries alot of natural foods too.

sonya: I bake their special cakes, with no food coloring, and if you wanted to have colors there are natural ways of doing this. I have made cream cheese frosting with organic sugars and we do a lot of small prizes instead of candy. We serve fresh fruit and sometimes veggies. Plain chips are generally ok. I have to admit it takes more time to prepare but it is worth it.

sonya: W talk to our kids alot about eating healthy, we usually don't have problems because we can substitute with healthier things. For example we buy cookies, ice cream plain chips. We don't eat alot of candy because there are not alot of good choices.

cindy: what suggestion do you have to make the change in older children who were never on this type of diet?

sonya: I use whole wheat bread with natural peanut butter and honey, or whole wheat and oven-roasted turkey breast from the deli dept. some fresh fruit, plain chips or fritos, carrot sticks, or usaully a Juicey juice box or another brand as long as it does not contain high fructose corn syrup.

sonya: It was most difficult for my middle child who does not have any special needs. He had a harder time. I would sometimes treat him to a mommie and Keenan date and we may go out for ice cream or pizza. That we still do sometimes. Because the entire family has changed dietary habits he accepts it now much better. The special date helps too!!

judy: Do you see a difference in your other children's behavior if they eat food that is not on the diet?

sonya: I would suggest by making small changes over time, finding good substitutes and just telling them you are trying a new recipe then gradually add more.

sonya: Judy I don't understand your question about the snack at a friends house?

sonya: Yes, when they eat something they are not suppose to the behavior is obvious. For example my son with Autism will be very hyper running around in circles and jumping off the couch. He also becomes very irriatble.

judy: If they eat something that has msg, atrificial flavors, etc. for just one snack or meal can you see a difference or does it take a build up of several days of going off the "diet" to see behavioral changes, ie hyperactive, temper tampertrums,

sonya: My daughter was on Strattera for about two months and we discontinued that. None of my children are on any meds.

sonya: It does not take alot of time before we notice changes. Usually it can take up to 72 hours for the effects to wear off.

judy: We have only a few minutes left. Do you have any last minutes suggestions for those of us considering trying diet restrictions with our ADHD and/or Autistic children?

sonya: Kim, good question we started out taking a cooler full of food and preparing ahead for family gatherings. Now our family knows what foods to buy and prepare, they try to be very accomdating. Our church family has also started to make accomodations.

Kim: Sonja is there any mixes that you buy for when life is busy and you dont have as much time to cook.

sonya: I would suggest trying going to the differnt websites and doing some reserach , for us it has helped alot.

sonya: When I don't have time to cook I have found preservative free hot dogs or sausages, we make sandwiches or maybe taco salads or quesadillas, I also try to make enough for left overs sometimes. Or crock pot meals.

judy: Sonya, Thank you so much for sharing with us tonight. You have given us a lot of good information. Goodnight everyone.

How Nutrition Can Impact Behaviors Relating To Autism & ADHD- Sonya Bell,RN

Tuesday, the 16th of May 2006