GAPS diet

[auntie]

Jun 24, 2015 10:50:35 GMT -5 superduper said:

Does anyone have any familiarity with this?

Yes. I've been knocking around Asperger-world for the last 16 years; I've lived through a lot of the next new things. GFCF, hyperbaric chambers, chelation, GABA, Feingold, etc. Not a fan of special diets unless medically necessary and scientifically proven. Dietary approaches for things like diabetes, intractable seizures, allergies and intolerances and metabolic disorders are very necessary, but they can come at the cost of social isolation and stigma for individuals who are already marginalized. For older kids and teens, so much socialization takes place around food; I wouldn't add to the social burden of ASD with an unproven dietary approach. 


GAPS is pretty much considered "woo" by the medical community. I can understand the appeal of trying a diet; it can be appealing because it helps the parent feel as though they are part of the solution. But aside from a healthy lifestyle, I think this is one of those situations where someone is looking to part you from the contents of your wallet.


www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/gaps-diet/


 We are presently researching it for my step-son who is diagnosed with Autism (Aspbergers specifically). My husband and I have been doing a lot of research, but his Mom is very hesitant to even consider dietary changes.


Team mom here. I would be livid if DH's new wife was looking to tell me to feed my kid some sort of diet she found on the internet googling "Aspbergers". Why does his developmental pediatrician say about this? How about the psychiatrist who is managing his medications? 


We're also worried because in addition to his behavioral issues, he's also had a recent significant weight gain due to the Risperdol which we are in the process of weaning him off of.


Risperdal is a doubled edged sword. On one hand it can be remarkably effective in calming the irritation, anxiety, and/or depression that drives aggressive and out-of-control behavior in some individuals with ASD. It can allow kids to access the supports and interventions put in place to help them and function in less restrictive settings. On the other, it does have a considerable risk of significant side effects. The weight gain, and the associated risk for diabetes and gynecomastia, is common and difficult to manage. Some psychiatrists add Metformin to mitigate hunger and weight gain. Some assign the patient an RD to help them plan a diet to control weight. Sometimes other meds can be used instead- one of the other atypical antipsychotics or perhaps a lower dose of Risperdal with an SSRI or even an SSRI alone. 


We are considering different routes, both traditional medicine as well as things like changing his diet, and I'm just wondering if anyone has had any experience and if so, if you found any successes that you would care to share with me.


I don't know anyone who has had success with this one. IME, moderating a couple of ASD and Asperger-specific support sites, about 10-15% of those who go absolutely GFCF report behavioral improvements. That said, none of them have done diet alone. They continued their ABA and other behavior mods. Anecdotally, it seems as if the kids who seem to benefit from GFCF are those with comorbid GI issues, who eat a very restricted "white" diet and/or who are more aggressive/dysregulated.


He is currently in a school for kids with behavioral issues, but we would really like to look into mainstreaming him again by the time he enters Middle School but can't do that until we get his behaviors more under control.


Does he have a bi-polar or behavioral comorbid? Generally speaking a Emotionally/Behaviorally Disordered self contained setting is considered by many to be the worst possible placement for a kid with Aspergers alone. It's kind of like delivering the lambs to the wolves.


Yesterday was our last session of Family Based Therapy as we've been discharged, but now we're getting ready to start Wraparound and are hoping again to try to open the communication with his Mom to consider alternatives to traditional treatment. Thank you in advance.

What, exactly is Family Based Therapy? Did the psychologist have a background in ASD/Aspergers? It's generally a waste of time and money to see someone who isn't highly qualified with this dx. 

DS's psych sees only those with AS and HFA. He did a lot of CBT with DS when he was younger to help him reframe his thinking and become more flexible and less anxious in his thinking and behavior.

Are you in PA? I know PA offers wraparound services/TSS. What protocol will this person be using for behavior? ABA might be an option if he's not in a place where he could access CBT.

TBH, I would put top notch mainstream tx in place before adding alternative options. If I were going to add non-mainstream and unproven tx to my plan, I would seek out a DAN! doctor, preferably one who is also an MD.

I'm linking a list of books that may be useful for background:

These two discuss tx options around ASD and aspergers in particular-


www.amazon.com/Making-Sense-Autistic-Spectrum-Disorders/dp/0553806815


www.amazon.com/Asperger-Syndrome-Inspiration-Intervention-Adulthood-ebook/dp/B00J1ISJGO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435235661&sr=1-1&keywords=oasis+guide+to+asperger+syndrome

This book has some good information about parenting and discipline


www.amazon.com/Parenting-Your-Asperger-Child-Individualized-ebook/dp/B001ODO5WQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435235713&sr=1-1&keywords=parenting+your+aspergers+child

and this one covers ABA for high functioning kids-


www.amazon.com/Teaching-Asperger-Syndrome-Real-Life-Independence/dp/0307588955/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435235787&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=patrician+romanowski