Thank you so much for posting your story and the amazing videos by Taylor. As the dad of a 4 year old autistic boy, I appreciate the insight into “where he goes” when he is stimming and what the world may look through his eyes. More importantly, Taylor, your success also gives us hope for his future and played a role in a recent breakthrough.

There were/are many nights I couldn’t get to sleep because I started thinking about what my son’s life would be like when mom and dad were not around anymore, what social discomfort he would face, etc. I found your videos about a month ago when we began researching “non-traditional” approaches that we could take as parents to help our son. I read some convincing stories online about diet and the improvement it made in a respectable number of children, you included. Our pediatrician dismissed the link between diet and autistic behavior but it made sense to me so we pursued it anyway. We removed dairy for a week but noticed some rashes develop. Then we went to a naturopath who ran an IgG test and found significant reactions to dairy, but also to soy (which is what we replaced the milk with!), eggs, gluten, wheat, peanut butter, etc. [I've also read many cases where testing showed no major allergies but dietary changes still made a big difference in some children]. We are now over 3 weeks into a gluten/casein/soy free diet and are seeing significant changes in our little boy’s ability to communicate, focus and engage. While I was cooking dinner he ran up to me, looked me right in the eye and asked loud and clear “Daddy, play soccer ball with me?” (We did, of course… stove off, game on!) I was floored because eye contact was rare and although he is verbal, he only used a few words at a time, usually at a whisper, and did not initiate activity on his own. He is less “spacey” now and actually began sharing his awareness, the other day yelling “Mommy, Daddy! A boat on the river!” In the past we wouldn’t hear a peep, and he might say “boat” if prompted. We are also hearing less echolalia than before. These changes are not consistent in all of his communication but we are seeing a trend of improvement over time. We recently contacted our pediatrician to let her know about these changes. She was not aware of this potential link (a common theme I am finding) and I am now sharing my research to educate her! This is also why I am writing such a long post – to let other parents know that diet can make a difference in some cases and to trust your instincts. A dietary change is not harmful as long as your child is getting the right nutrition, so why not try something that just might help???

This significant improvement in his ability to communicate gives me such high hopes for his future now, especially after seeing Taylor’s growth and success. We have a long way to go but we will do everything possible to help our boy develop, thrive and be happy. Both of you are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story.

Ana

Lisa

This article on dairy has touched of a frenzy of research on my part about the dairy/wheat connection with Autism and Asperges. Some of the articles I read almost sound like dairy industry propaganda when they claim, “no connection at all”. It makes me angry that doctors assume that parents don’t even know their own kids. Kudos to you stepping up to the plate and proving them wrong.

I can find quite a bit on children with Autism, but less information is available on adults with Asperges. Taylor is still young, but do you think she will have to abstain dairy throughout her adult life? As a 37 year old, I have spent an entire life with Asperges symptoms without ever being officially diagnosed. By chance, when going on “South Beach” or “Atkins” style diets, I wound up feeling fantastic. Each time, milk was cut out. Of course you feel good by loosing weight, but things I didn’t notice were more clarity of thought, less effect from extrasensory influences and a general peacefulness that I rarely feel. One thing led to another and then before I knew it, I wsa eating dairy again. Everybody is handing it to you. But now, I have renewed resolve to keep off it. Since reading this post, I’ve been off dairy and clarity of thought has returned. I enjoy my job again. I’m able to concentrate on reading. If you have any more information on Adults , Asperges and Dairy I would appreciate it.

Because i go to a residential college and i’m studying a level 3 in BTEC business i am always surrounded by people and sometimes feel its too much and go for a walk. i just can’t believe they finally understand thank you so much. I go to Hereward College by the way it may have some useful links in it for you to use.

This has really helped them to understand me and why sometimes i can be anti social. And why i cant stand sudden loud noises.

Im 17 live in the UK and didn’t accept that i was autistic until i was 16 even though i was diagnosed with it when i was 2, this helps me explain to a few close friends what its like to be autistic and reassuses me that i’m not weird because i have my own world when i’m playing soccar or while going on a long walk.

I can’t believe how similar i am to your daughter in respects to how we get away from the stress of this world to engage in “our own world”.

I can’t thank you enough!!!! ps could you forward me the dates for the live feed with the UK times please thank you

regards Alex