..........of figuring out how to "treat" Bear's autism. The experts all have differing opinions about what's the best "medicine" for autism and over the years Hubby and I have struggled to educate ourselves and pick through the various options to do what makes the most sense to us. However, there has never been a clear cut answer for treatment. The results of anything we've tried have always been subjective and that's frustrating. Yes, Bear has come a long, long way baby. He was non-verbal until about age 3 and now he can carry on a short conversation with just about anybody. He used to only "line up" his toys and now he dresses up as a superhero and participates in imaginary play with his brother. Bear can read at a 4th grade level and is fully mainstreamed in academics at his school. So whatever we've done to help him has seemingly worked. But sometimes I wonder if he wouldn't be in the same place even without treatment. Bear seems to improve no matter what new treatment we try or don't try. I long for a blood test that would dictate what would truly make a difference in Bear's behavior.
What has me fretting about all this today is I took the plunge and took Bear off his Gluten-Free/Dairy-Free (GF/DF) diet this week. He has been on it for 3 years and the limited research on kids participating in a GF/DF diet has shown that many kids can return to a normal diet after a couple of years on the diet. The thing is there is no real "test" to see if he is no longer being harmed by gluten and dairy. I wish they could just do a blood test and poof have the answer but we have to watch his behavior and that is subjective and like all humans, never consistent. When we took removed gluten and dairy from his diet there seemed to be a big difference in the first few weeks. And back then when he accidentally ate wheat he would get very, very hyper and make these jerking movements. But he's been eating gluten and dairy for 4 days now and no jerking, no hyperactivity. Still I can't help but worry. How do I know eating gluten and dairy isn't harming him in ways I can't see? I'm afraid too that it's harming him in ways we will be able to see and we will have to go back to GF/DF. Bear has been REALLY, REALLY enjoying his new found food freedom and it will be hell if we have to make him eat his sandwiches on Rice Bread again.
So, I'm worrying, keeping a watchful eye and hoping that we are not harming him. I'm also hoping we do not have to revert back to a GF/DF diet again! I am looking forward to cooking one dinner for the entire family, being able to go out to eat easily and watching Bear enjoy real birthday cake next week when Baby Girl turns 1 year old!
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