Customer Reviews

The Autism & ADHD Diet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Hope and Healing by Living Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF) and Other Interventions

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My name is Arman Khodaei, and I was once diagnosed as having autism. I myself have been on a casein free diet for a long period of my life. I run an autism support group, and give many presentations on autism. I've had many parents over the years ask me about the GFCF (gluten free, casein-free) diet and the best way to implement it. Finally, a book has been released that fully addresses that questions for parents. I'm a firm believer that diet has a major impact on individuals from both first-hand experience and also from what other parents tell me. I, myself, before going casein free had insane temper tantrums among many other autistic tendencies that once milk was removed from my diet, they greatly calmed. I've had parents come to my group and tell me that once they started the GFCF diet that their children were able to verbalize if they were non-verbal among many other improvement in behaviors. Overall, I recommend this book because I believe in it and the GFCF diet.

We read both this book and The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook when embarking 3 months ago on our gluten-free, casein-free diet for our 3 year old daughter, diagnosed with autism. The effects of the diet were immediately apparent. While I was skeptical about its possible positive influence (b/c my dd didn't suffer from the frequent ear infections, bowel problems, or infections that others seem to have cured by the diet), the results were almost miraculous. Contrary to the withdrawal symptoms the author describes, my usually lethargic daughter actually became quite hyperactive for the first week or two. Then, it evened out and suddenly, she's having conversations (although she was always verbal, it was very scripted and was mostly manding, which was a vast improvement over the small vocabulary she had when diagnosed-->thanks to a year's worth of ABA therapy). She told her first joke. Within the same week or two, she quit using her pacifier at night and started sleeping soundly. Her occupational therapist told me 5 weeks in that my dd was a completely different girl. She was focused, on task (at least for that session for the first time) and cooperated throughout the hour long session. No, her autism wasn't cured yet, but the speech improvements, the longer attention spans, her improved social interest, shrunken pot belly, and improved physical coordination over just 3 months, has prompted me to explore biomedical treatments.

My criticisms of the book though is that I think it was incredibly overwhelming and scary for someone who was on the fence like me about embarking on the large burden of transforming their kitchen and cooking. She was almost extremist about her positions--suggesting that you buy entirely separate utensils and appliances. I simply can't afford to do that and implying that not finding success "because I didn't implement the diet fully or correctly or consistently" [paraphrased] hurts more than helps parents who are seeking answers. I would normally knock only one star off for this reason, but because I find so much value in the diet and its miraculous potential for ASD kids, I am further disappointed that the book makes it seem that the only people who pursue this diet are crackpots. I would highly recommend the The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook; it is much more accessible and even-handed.

If you found this review helpful, please let me know.

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that certain substances such as gluten (present in some grains) and casein (present in dairy) can exacerbate conditions such as autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Thus there has begun the elimination diet movement whereby suspected culprit substances are entirely eliminated from the diet.

Barrie Silberberg has written a guidebook to the elimination diet approach that focuses specifically on gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) living but which includes certain other strategies and resources that need not be tied specifically to the GFCF platform. For example, resources do include GFCF recipes. But they also include more generic elimination diet strategies such as ways to avoid cross-contamination, red flags that one might not consider (culprit substances in cosmetics, medications or pet foods for example), compensating for "lost" nutrition, and the whole concept of substituting acceptable ingredients for those not allowed. In the GFCF universe this translates to versions of cookies, bread, "ice cream" and even play dough that are still possible. Included too are references to companies in the U.S. and abroad that manufacture GFCF and other elimination diet foods. Also here are lists with contact information on related programs, alternative interventions and approaches, support groups, message boards, ListServs and forums not to mention an exhaustive catalog of the many foods in which culprit substances are present. There are even compilations of Silberberg's own footwork, i.e. lists of individual GFCF products that can be found in regular supermarkets. These lists are based on Silberberg's own research, label-reading and phone conversations with representatives of various companies.

Finally, let it be noted that Silberberg's own son is autistic. He, himself, has been on the GFCF elimination diet since he was seven years old. While he was in elementary school, his parents were told he must leave the school or else enroll in either the class for the severely emotionally disturbed or the one for those suffering moderate to severe autistism. Yet by the time he reached middle school, he was an award-winning honors student. The final chapter of this book was written by him.

I read this book in a couple of hours. Once I started,is was like a great mystery, I couldn't wait til the next chapter. Ms. Silberberg has written a touching, funny and realistic guide that anybody can use and understand. Not only does she give you lists of items you can purchase but she also gives you detailed information about where to find these items. And if that isn't enough, she has even given us recipes. Forget Jenny's book, this is the one you need!!!

I just wanted to share a HUGE public thank you to Barrie. We just went gf/cf and I have to say your book was an answer to my prayers. While that might sound corny to some, those of you who are new or remember how daunting it was to begin this diet it is an accurate response because it offer hope and direction. Even the very beginning questions part was seriously all the questions I had been trying to wrap my brain around. What I love most is that it broke the diet down and gave me a plan to begin and not feel overwhelmed. I also appreciate the info about additives and food dyes and colorings and how to get those out of your diet too. My only "negative" comment...is that I didn't purchase the book sooner. This would also be a great read for family and friends who are wanting to understand more about gluten and casein, etc. Thank you Barrie and my family thanks you too. Sincerely, Kelly Cooper

This book is an excellent resource. It explains the basics of the GFCF diet as well as listing links on where to find additional information and products. This would be a great gift for someone just starting out with the GFCF diet and for explaining the diet in understandable terms to family members who have questions about the hows and why's of GFCF. The book is great for parents with experience with the GFCF diet, too. I wish I had this book when we first changed our diet! Barrie does an amazing job of explaining a sometimes complicated subject in understandable terminology. (For example, she walks the reader through the basics of label reading which for most people can be overwhelming in the beginning). I can't recommend this book enough!

This is a very useful book to anyone just starting out on the GFCG Diet, and as an encouragement or supplement to those families already on the it. I especially like the advice regarding the Feingold Diet as adding this to the GFCF Diet really made a huge difference for us! This is a must-have resource!

This book doesn't really contain information as much as it reads like a scolding mother who has become OCD about GFCF. I wouldn't recommend this book for someone who is looking for real information about the diet. The author is too concerned that gluten flour particles are going to land on her child, recommending sterilizing toys that are touched by non-gfcf hands and I found it, IMHO, to basically be a rant without many of her sentences to be supported by true information. I understand that naysayers of the diet have made people defensive but this books is one of the reasons why there are naysayers. Support your arguments with the information available... There are much better books that do this!

This is a wonderful book if you are starting the diet and don't know where to begin. That is my family - we have struggled for years with my son's autism and ADHD and finally committed to the diet. I purchased this book and never looked back. Barrie has listed many great resources and helps "non-cooks" like me navigate this new world. I have several other Autism and Diet books - and this is the one that is dog eared and used the most. Well worth the time and $$$. Barrie - please keep this book updated with frequent editions!

I have read several books related to the topic of autism and diet. This
author has done a lot of footwork and shares her on-line resources with the reader. As a parent on the same path, it took me two years of surfing to find and sift through the information that the author has conveniently accumulated in one book. I especially appreciate the emphasis on the avoidance of artificial food additives. Other authors seem to minimize the impact of this threat to our family's health. I will recommend the Autism Diet to others.