Breaking Autism/Celiac News--I KNEW IT!

[southernlamom]

I am SO happy to see this article! This has to be my favorite Parents magazine ever!

An entire article about a little boy with autism....a recipe for a GF cupcake...

And then THIS:

(taken all this from my blog--my Celiac blog--part in bold is from the actual parents blurb)

"A child whose mother has celiac disease may have a three-times-greater risk of autism, finds a new study in Pediatrics. People with celiac disease have an abnormal immune response to a protein in wheat and other grains. It may be most dangerous in pregnancy when it's untreated because it blocks absorption of nutrients and can cause premature delivery and low birthweight--known autism risk factors."

This finding is outstanding. Personally, for me, I am intensely relieved it's actually be published. My youngest child is newly diagnosed with autism and my older son is suspected of having Sensory Processing Disorder. I fully suspect undiagnosed Celiac/Gluten Sensitivity in Eli is what has triggered the autism. He showed NO signs until about 4 mos after he started eating gluten. I have wondered for YEARS how many children don't actually have 'true' autism but have some form of "Celiac Induced Autism" (Not a medical term, I've made it up). Why do SO many children with autism benefit from the Gluten Free/Caesin Free Diet if there is NO connection?

What IF, we could get more people diagnosed with Celiac (because there are SO many people who have it and don't know it!)...What IF every pregnant woman was tested for Celiac Disease and if found positive she was able to go Gluten Free and she'd KNOW to keep an eye on her child for autism and start that child on the Gluten Free diet immediately? What IF prior to conception, women were tested for Celiac Disease and went Gluten Free JUST in case? What would it hurt?? NOTHING! There is a connection between gluten and so many people's health....why can't mainstream medicine do something about this? (I"ll not rant politics here, it is not the place....feel free to ask me privately!! LOL)

I am absolutely thrilled this study has been found and will happily help is spread and cannot wait for more research. FINALLY!!! Perhaps if they do find a Celiac/Autism connection BOTH populations can get more research, media coverage, etc. We need to work together!

[Helen]

Oct. 16, 2009 at 10:21 PM

This caught my eye because I know a 6 yo boy with autism and his 9yo sister was diagnosed with celiac disease.  Their dad has a thyroid condition which is also autoimmune.

[southernlamom]

Oct. 16, 2009 at 10:26 PM

I have long said there was a connection..Im beyond excited it's getting even a TINY bit of media attention!

(Original Poster)

[MSugarKane]

Oct. 17, 2009 at 7:16 AM

I truely believe there is a connection between autism and celiac disease.  I hope it comes more to the attention of the medical field.

[sati769leigh]

Oct. 17, 2009 at 7:55 AM

ty for this journal post and your link to it in my journal post so i could read it. my son's schools here offer some general therapy support like speech and occupational. but that is it.

[Jonie1027s]

Oct. 17, 2009 at 8:17 AM

I know how important this is to you honey so I voted it popular. I hope this helps educate a lot of other moms too. LOL>

[coolmawmy]

Oct. 17, 2009 at 10:17 AM

I think there is a connection with Celiac and a lot of things!  I think "they" need to study celiac more closely.  Great article!!

[Heather209]

Oct. 17, 2009 at 11:24 AM

I know how close to your heart these issues are to you & it's really exciting to see that other people are putting the puzzle pieces together too! I voted this journal popular & I hope other mom's read it & agree too! :)

[southernlamom]

Oct. 17, 2009 at 12:56 PM

Thanks guys! These issues are important to me, but long before Eli got dx with autism I said there was a conenction. In fact we spent the first 14 mos of his life relieved bc he showed no sensory signs like harrison did!! He never flapped or anything, developed normally and then WHAM. Within months of eating gluten he starts regressing. Now we DONT get vax so we are proof that vax do not necessarily cause autism (I think they are connected but not the MAIN cause) I honestly think autism is a neurological autoimmune disease that we WILL one day figure out. And I am just so excited someone finally sees the conenction between celiac/gluten/autism. LOL My cafemom friends know Ive been saying it for a long time now! LOL Please share! THe issue also has a great article about an autistic child AND a gluten free WHITE cake recipe! :)

(Original Poster)

[ratviolin]

Oct. 17, 2009 at 6:15 PM

I also have suspected there's a link (ever since I learned about celiac disease anyways). My almost 2 year old son has celiac disease, no autism whatsoever, but he did have such HORRIBLE symptoms when gluten was in his diet, and was becoming very lethargic and starting to withdraw and regress (in addition to a host of other symptoms, of course) when I happened upon an article on celiac disease and realized he had all the symptoms and they all began with the gluten.  Voted popular, because I agree, we need to get the news out! :-)

[momma2zac2006]

Oct. 17, 2009 at 6:58 PM

My sister has Celiac disease she is 16 1/2 and we just found out this summer she had it. I just read her the article because if there is a link that is something she needs to look out she she has kids (she wants like 13 lol)