Small Setbacks

A few weeks ago, when we took Alex for his annual physical, his doctor proclaimed him to be in excellent health. Although we suspected this to be true, for Alex had not needed to go to the doctor since his last annual exam a year ago, we were delighted to get such a good report. Nonetheless, the doctor did have one issue for Alex (and us) to work on: eating more calories per day and trying to gain about fifteen pounds. While many of us would be ecstatic to have our doctors give us that advice, we knew this could be challenging for Alex, whose metabolism and level of activity keep him naturally thin. Along with the food aversion issues he’s struggled with for more than a year and a half that caused him to lose weight, gaining weight for Alex is as difficult as losing weight is for most people.

Nonetheless, we took the doctor’s suggestion to heart, trying to find ways to get Alex to eat more and consume more calories. Fortunately, Alex made a real breakthrough around Christmas, suddenly eating a greater variety and quantity of foods, returning to his past habits of eating healthy, instead of limiting himself to cold and smooth foods. He even began asking for old favorites, such as meatloaf and shrimp, and happily devoured them. Thanking God for this Christmas miracle, we thought Alex had made a big breakthrough in overcoming the food aversion that not only made him not want to eat certain foods but also triggered panic attacks at the kitchen table.

Because his doctor understands Alex’s issues well, he recommended adding nutritional supplements, namely Ensure or Carnation Breakfast Essentials, to Alex’s daily diet. Although both of these products contain milk, to which Alex has a dietary sensitivity, I was willing to take a chance that their benefits outweighed the potential concerns about giving him milk products in these supplements. After I added Carnation Breakfast Essentials powder in Classic French Vanilla flavor to Alex’s nondairy shakes made of Rice Dream ice “cream” and coconut milk beverage and strawberries, he seemed to like the taste and was willing to drink three of these shakes every day. I thought we had found a great way to get some calories into him easily.

However, after a few days of these shakes, Alex began complaining of headaches. While I suspected the milk in the nutritional supplements might have been the culprit, I thought a few more days wouldn’t hurt. I was wrong. The more days Alex had the powdered milk supplements, the more irritable he became. Then he started complaining of stomachaches. Although I was fairly certain the source of his pain and grouchiness was milk in the doctor-recommended nutritional supplement, I knew we had to test this theory by eliminating it from his strawberry shakes. Once I removed the milk product from his shakes, Alex stopped complaining of headaches and stomachaches, and he stopped being cranky, which was probably a result of not feeling well. Consequently, we had to abandon the doctor’s simple plan for adding calories and find other ways to help Alex gain weight.

About the same time, and probably not coincidentally, Alex’s wonderful progress in eating a variety of foods was followed by a regression. Unfortunately, he wanted to return to the cold and smooth diet, favoring applesauce, dairy-free yogurt, and non-dairy pudding. Between the bad reaction to the nutritional supplements and the return of food aversion, I was terribly frustrated by these setbacks, even though they were relatively small. Knowing that Alex has an appointment in a few weeks with his doctor to monitor his weight, I am feeling pressure to make sure he puts on some pounds to show that I’m putting forth effort.

Feeling a bit defeated and disappointed, I knew what I had to do. Reminding myself of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” I resumed my usual determination and began researching other ways. Knowing that Alex likes pudding, I found a great and simple-to-make recipe for peanut butter pudding that can easily be adapted with coconut milk. Full of calories and protein, it offers Alex what he needs. In addition, the recipe came from one of his favorite chefs, the late “Mr. Food,” whom Alex loves to imitate by repeating his motto in a deep voice: “Ooh, it’s so good!” I knew that Alex would be willing to try this new food, especially, if we both said Mr. Food’s motto before he ate it. Fortunately, the peanut butter pudding turned out delicious, and Alex loves it because it is, indeed, “Ooh, so good!”

In addition, I found a different nutritional supplement to try that uses plant proteins instead of milk proteins. While I’m not sure whether Alex will like the taste, we’ll give it a try next week. In the meantime, I keep praying that he’ll resume his healthy and varied diet, as we witnessed the week after Christmas. However, I also know that I need to remain upbeat and calm about Alex’s eating habits so that he doesn’t pick up on my anxiety and add it to his own. If nothing else, I am tenacious about making sure Alex is healthy and happy, and I won’t allow these small setbacks to deter that ultimate goal. Most importantly, I know that God has a plan for Alex, and as the Great Healer, He will make certain that Alex gets everything he needs.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

Benefits of Coconut Milk

Like many people with autism, Alex has shown sensitivity to regular milk in food allergy testing, and he drinks plant-based milks instead. Over the years, he has tried a variety of brands and types of substitute milks, but his favorite is coconut milk because of its appealing taste and texture. For the past few years, he has been drinking So Delicious brand vanilla coconut milk beverage, and he also really likes their vanilla dairy-free yogurt and Coco Whip whipped topping. After being on a dairy-free diet for nearly twenty years, Alex doesn’t mind forgoing milk because he has tasty milk substitutes to enjoy daily.

After recently reading an article about the benefits of coconut water, I was curious if coconut milk shared those same healthy attributes. According to research, coconut milk offers great health benefits. In “Coconut Milk Health Benefits and Uses,” published online at the Healthline.com website on December 11, 2018, registered dietician Franziska Spritzler outlines what makes coconut milk a healthy choice. [To read this article, please click here.]

First, she explains that medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut milk prove beneficial. Research indicates that these fatty acids are less likely to be stored in the body as fat, may help curb the appetite, can increase metabolism, and might help the body lose belly fat. However, she cautions that the lower levels of medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut milk may not dramatically increase weight loss.

In addition, she cites studies that demonstrated the lauric acid found in coconut milk can lower bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and can raise good HDL cholesterol. Along with potential for improving cardiac health, lauric acid can improve overall health by fighting viral and bacterial infections. For this reason, every day Alex takes the supplement Monolaurin, which contains a form of lauric acid. Some research suggests that Monolaurin also acts as a natural antifungal, eradicating yeast infections.

Moreover, she references research indicating the ability of coconut milk to reduce inflammation in the body and to decrease the size of stomach ulcers as effectively as prescription medication. Although she touts the potential value of coconut milk, Ms. Spritzler indicates that not all studies are conclusive regarding its benefits. Furthermore, she cautions that regular coconut milk is quite high in calories and fat: one cup contains 552 calories and 57 grams of fat. In contrast, the So Delicious coconut milk beverage, which also contains filtered water, has 80 calories and 4.5 grams of fat in one cup. Since the calories and fat levels differ between pure coconut milk and coconut milk beverage, one wonders if the effectiveness of the health benefits may differ, as well.

In another online article, “Coconut Milk Nutrition: Beneficial Vegan Milk or High-Fat Trap,” published on the Dr. Axe.com website on December 26, 2018, Jillian Levy describes even more potential health benefits of drinking coconut milk. [To read this article, please click here.] In addition to citing the same research noted in the previous article regarding potential cholesterol-lowering improvements, Ms. Levy touts the benefits of the minerals found in coconut milk. These minerals, especially magnesium, also help cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure. In addition, she notes that these minerals provide electrolytes the body needs for optimum health.

Along with minerals, the medium chain fatty acids, or MCTs, found in coconut milk offer various health benefits, she explains. Specifically, they help the brain function properly. Furthermore, as noted in the previous article, these fatty acids can help in losing fat because they help the body use energy. Referencing research from the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at McGill University, the author quotes from the published study: “MCTs may be considered as agents that aid in the prevention of obesity or potentially stimulate weight loss.” She goes on to explain that MCTs provide people with a sense of being full which makes them less likely to overeat, perhaps making dieting easier.

As in the previous article, Ms. Levy cites the same research indicating the potential for coconut milk to reduce the size of ulcers and describes its protective effect upon the mucus lining of the stomach. Moreover, she notes that coconut milk can help the digestive system, hydrating and nourishing the digestive tract without causing irritation that regular milk may inflict.

Noting the benefits of coconut milk upon inflammation also described in the previous article, Ms. Levy explains that the MCTs found in coconut milk can help joint inflammation and arthritis. Specifically, she states that the medium-chain fatty acids help lower inflammation associated with pain in the muscles and joints as well as inflammation associated with autoimmune disorders.

In addition, this article describes two potential benefits of coconut milk noted in blood tests. To illustrate, she explains that coconut milk can help prevent anemia because plant-based milks provide the iron needed to treat iron-deficiency anemia. Moreover, coconut milk can prove helpful in treating diabetes by managing blood sugar effectively. The fat content in coconut milk apparently helps slow the rate sugar is released into the bloodstream, regulating insulin levels. After clearly explaining all the potential health benefits of coconut milk, the author recommends drinking full-fat coconut milk for optimum results but advises drinking this type in moderation because of the higher caloric content.

Although some may wonder if people with autism on the gluten-free and dairy-free diet can fulfill their nutritional needs on this restricted diet, research suggests that coconut milk offers several potential health benefits. After reading more about coconut milk and how it can improve cardiovascular and digestive health as well as alleviate inflammation, I am delighted that Alex consumes coconut milk products on a daily basis. I have always thought that he is quite intuitive about knowing what his body needs to be healthy, and now I’m confident that his choice of coconut milk is one that will continue to heal his body so that he can enjoy life to the fullest.

“You gave the people of Israel this land that You had promised their ancestors long before­––a land flowing with milk and honey.” Jeremiah 32:22

Buyer Beware

 

Recently several “suggested posts” have been showing up in my Facebook news feed regarding new treatments for autism. Intrigued by their enthusiastic sales pitches, I have been checking out these “sponsored” advertisements and found them to be full of empty promises and false hope. After more than twenty years of doing autism research, I can recognize unscrupulous charlatans who prey upon the hopes of autism parents willing to do anything to help their beloved children. However, I wonder how many parents buy into these methods, supplements, and treatments in earnest efforts to make their children better, wasting their time and money and even potentially endangering their children’s health.

In evaluating the claims of these advertisements for autism miracle cures, parents should watch for the following red flags warning them to steer clear of these promoters. First, these new methods usually have some secrecy surrounding them. Magical supplements have “proprietary blends” of ingredients that could be worthless or even harmful. In addition, parents should be wary of vague claims. If, indeed, this treatment works, the advertiser should proudly tell what it does. Some of these ads attempt to boost the value by using jargon and vague statements. Perhaps they use loaded language because those claiming expertise in the field really have none. Finally, the obvious clue that should make parents skeptical is that these treatments are ridiculously expensive. In fact, some of them are shamefully expensive, to the point they hide the cost of the treatment until after they have made all of their sales pitches. Certainly, parents are willing to spend any amount of money to make their children with autism better, but these charlatans prey upon desperate parents in order to make money. To me, that is criminal.

Because of quackery that exists in the treatment of autism, some people are quick to dismiss any kinds of alternative therapies that may benefit some children with autism. For example, I have read articles in the mainstream media that describe “what doesn’t work” and include among the so-called worthless interventions special diets and chelation. (These same types of articles also firmly state that there is absolutely no connection between autism and vaccinations. I disagree.) Not only are special diets and chelation deemed unhelpful in these articles, but these treatment methods are also described as “dangerous” to children with autism.

Of course, parents need to do research and consult with reputable medical professionals before trying alternative therapies. We were fortunate to have a medical doctor with extensive knowledge of nutrition who took a holistic approach to treating Alex. In addition, we did reliable testing before jumping into uncharted waters, and we only tried one new thing at a time so that we could discern the positive and negative effects of the therapy. When Alex was seven years old, we had him tested for food allergies, and after discovering that he, like many children with autism, had sensitivities to caseins found in milk products and glutens found in grains, we placed him on a gluten-free and casein-free diet, which he still maintains today. I believe that his cooperative adherence to this special diet has prevented him from having digestive issues that many people with autism suffer.

When Alex was nine years old, we had him take a heavy metals challenge test, which only required urine samples, and the results showed he had toxic metals in his system, something fairly common in children with autism. We knew that keeping arsenic, lead, mercury, and aluminum in his body was not healthy, and under the direction of his doctor, who had expertise in chelation therapy, we treated him for three years with a safe protocol to rid his body of these toxins. Alex’s doctor prescribed DMSA pills containing sulfur to bind with the toxic metals that removed them from his system. While special diets and chelation are not appropriate for all children with autism, we believe that testing indicated these methods were necessary for Alex to improve his health.

While the GFCF diet and chelation therapy worked for Alex, some other methods we have tried have not been as successful. For example, some children with autism benefit from taking fish oil Omega 3 supplements. When we have tried these supplements with Alex, he has had negative side effects, such as agitation, hyperactivity, and insomnia. Consequently, we felt these supplements did not work for him. In addition, we tried giving him vitamin A in the form of cod liver oil capsules along with the prescription medication urecholine after hearing that this therapy had been successful with other children. However, Alex did not show any improvement with this method, and we discontinued this treatment since he did not respond favorably, as other children did. Because children with autism have varied nutritional needs, some respond to certain therapies, while others do not. As Alex’s doctor frequently reminded us, so long as a treatment is not harmful, it is always worth trying.

When considering therapy methods, parents should also investigate less expensive and more convenient yet equally effective alternatives. For example, I researched Fast Forward, a computer-based therapy designed to improve children’s receptive language skills, which were a weakness for Alex. However, at the time, no local providers of this therapy existed, which meant traveling in addition to the great expense of the therapy itself. After more research, I found Earobics, a similar program that parents could purchase for home use at a very reasonable price. Believing that Alex could benefit from this lesser expensive program we could use at home, we tried Earobics and found this games-based computer program did indeed improve his receptive language skills.

Similarly, after reading about auditory integration therapy (AIT) and how it addressed hypersensitive hearing and sensory processing issues that Alex had, I was unable to find any therapists nearby who offered this method. In addition, for many parents AIT is cost-prohibitive. More research led me to the EASe disc, a CD parents can purchase for home use offering many of the benefits of AIT along with the convenience of doing the therapy in the comforts of home. For Alex, the EASe disc enabled him to overcome sound sensitivities that upset him, and now he is rarely bothered by loud noise. Unlike some people with autism who must wear earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones in public places to deal with overwhelming sounds, Alex can go to sporting events and concerts without earplugs or headphones, thankfully unfazed by the noise.

Although we found benefits to some alternative therapies, others did not work for Alex, and the successful therapies we found may not work for others. Parents need to do their research to find ways to help their children without putting them in danger and without spending ridiculous amounts of money on unproven methods. After reading through yet another Facebook ad claiming, “Our autism therapy works. Period,” I found the comments people made in response to this bold statement interesting, questioning the validity of the treatment. As one person wisely noted, “If there is ever a truly effective treatment for autism, it will hopefully be shouted from the rooftops and have folks lining up for it. I don’t think you would have to stumble on it via Facebook.” I totally agree. In the meantime, parents like me keep searching for ways to make our children with autism healthier, happier, and more independent. When I find something that works, I will be shouting it from the rooftops (or at least sharing it from my blog), hoping to help all of our children with autism be their best.

“And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.” Matthew 24:11

Dining Out on a Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet

 

When a child has a food allergy or sensitivity, dining out can be tricky, trying to navigate what menu items do not include potential allergens. When Alex was seven years old, we discovered that he, like many children with autism, has sensitivities to glutens found in wheat and other grains and to milk products. Since then, we have tried to keep his diet as free of gluten and dairy products as possible. The availability of online menus with nutritional information makes it easier for us to dine out at restaurants or to get take-out food from fast food restaurants. Some restaurants make this task easier than others, depending upon how user friendly their nutritional guides and allergen information lists are. Here are some of our favorite restaurants and how they fare in terms of presenting information and offering food Alex can eat on his gluten-free and casein (dairy)-free diet.

Yats—This Cajun and Creole restaurant always offers at least two main dishes that they clearly identify as GF (gluten-free) and DF (dairy-free) as well as providing vegan choices. Alex’s favorites: white chili or red beans and rice, minus the bread that comes with the meal

Bob Evans––This family restaurant with a large menu makes ordering allergen-free easy, listing common allergens: dairy, egg, soy, wheat, glutens, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish, along with sulfites, MSG, and yellow #5.  When ordering online, a gluten-free option is available to make choices clearer. Alex’s breakfast menu: scrambled eggs, home fries, sausage links, and seasonal fresh fruit dish

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit—This restaurant famous for its barbecued meat offers an easy-to-read chart with allergen information for eggs, dairy, soy, wheat, seafood, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts. Alex’s pick: chicken breast or pulled pork with cole slaw and barbecue beans

Panera Bread—This bakery restaurant used to offer a more detailed allergen menu; however, they now seem to have some concerns about being specific. Their website states: “At this time, this website does not identify allergens for added or removed ingredients.” Fortunately, we figured out what Alex can eat before they became so cautious. Alex’s choice: classic salad

Noodles and Company—In contrast to Panera, Noodles and Company has become more helpful to those with food allergies, offering gluten-free pasta as a substitution for their famous noodles. In addition, they offer an easy-to-read nutrition and allergen guide chart along with a nutrition sorter for various allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, and wheat/gluten. Alex’s favorites: Chinese chop salad minus wontons or Pad Thai

Chili’s—This family restaurant offers easy-to-read allergen menus online, categorized by the common allergens (eggs, milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat/gluten). Alex’s favorite: classic sirloin without garlic butter, corn on the cob, and steamed broccoli

Fazoli’s—This Italian restaurant provides an ingredient statement online for items containing milk, egg, soy, wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts. However, one must then look up individual menu items to see what ingredients they contain, which is not user friendly. Alex’s choice: Italian house salad without cheese

Tomato Bar/Pizza Hut/Domino’s Pizza—These pizza places now offer gluten-free crusts, and cheese can be omitted to make the pizza gluten-free and dairy-free. Alex’s pick: gluten-free crust, no cheese, topped with Italian sausage and mushrooms

McDonald’s—This fast food place offers a very specific ingredients list, noting the allergens milk, soy, wheat, egg, and fish, but at 36 pages, it isn’t very user friendly. Alex’s choice: hamburgers minus the buns with a side salad or apple slices

Wendy’s—In contrast to McDonald’s, Wendy’s offers a nice easy-to-read chart online regarding nutrition information along with information about gluten and food allergies. Alex’s favorite: plain baked potato topped with chili

Burger King—This fast food restaurant provides a gluten-sensitivities list and an allergens guide for milk, wheat, egg, soy, fish, peanuts, and tree nuts. Alex’s choice: hamburger or Tendergrill chicken fillet (minus the bun) and French fries

Arby’s—This fast food restaurant known for their roast beef includes an eight-page online listing of ingredients and allergen information for milk, soy, egg, wheat, and fish. Alex’s favorite: Arby max roast beef sandwich (minus the bun) and potato cakes

Subway—This sandwich fast food restaurant offers a very nice online chart listing allergy and ingredient information. Alex’s choice: turkey breast (no bread), with lettuce, tomato, pickles, black olives, and green peppers

Although we have learned to cook foods at home that Alex can eat on his restrictive gluten-free and casein-free diet, it’s nice to be able to eat at restaurants or bring home carry-out food at times. Thankfully, many restaurants now understand the needs of their customers who have food allergies and provide them with detailed information so that they can choose from the menu and know that they will avoid those foods to which they are sensitive or allergic.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8

Chex, Cookies, and Caroline's Carts

 

Recently Alex saw a commercial for Chex cereal snack mix and asked me if we could buy some. Because, like many children with autism, he has been on a strict gluten-free and casein (milk)-free diet since he was seven years old, he knows that he can only eat foods that do not contain these proteins to which he is sensitive. Even though he cannot eat the prepared Chex snack mix, I knew that we could find a recipe and easily adapt it to fit within the guidelines of his restricted diet. Starting with the original Chex snack mix recipe from 1952 that I found online, I made a few changes and came up with a tasty result that Alex really liked.

Here is the recipe I adapted to make gluten-free, dairy (casein)-free Chex snack mix. Melt ½ cup of Fleischmann’s unsalted margarine. Add 1 tablespoon French’s Worcestershire sauce and mix. Combine 2 cups of Chex rice cereal, 2 cups of Chex corn cereal, and 1 cup Snyder’s of Hanover gluten-free, dairy-free, casein-free, egg-free pretzel sticks in a baking pan and pour the margarine/Worcestershire sauce mix over the cereal and stir. Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of table salt and ¼ teaspoon McCormick garlic salt over the cereal. Bake in a 300 degree oven for 30 minutes, stirring every ten minutes. Cool and store in an airtight container.

When we first discovered that Alex was sensitive to glutens and caseins, I remember being overwhelmed by trying to figure out what he could and couldn’t eat. At that time, gluten-free diets were less common, and I relied upon online resources and special diet cookbooks to make Alex foods he could eat. Fortunately, gluten-free and dairy-free foods have increased in quantity and quality over the years. What used to be available only in health food stores is now readily available in many grocery stores. Items I used to have to bake from scratch, such as cookies, are now offered in a nice variety of flavors and textures. Moreover, the taste and textures of gluten-free and dairy-free foods has improved significantly over the years. Previously these foods often resembled their cardboard containers in flavor and texture, but now these foods mirror their non-special diet counterparts and are quite tasty.

One of the best discoveries we have made recently is the array of products from Enjoy Life. This company makes cookies, cereals, and baking goods in a dedicated facility, which means that no allergens are present to cross-contaminate their foods. Showing their concern for a variety of food allergies, their foods are free of eight common allergens—wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish, and shellfish. In addition, their products contain NO casein, potato, sesame, sulfites, artificial ingredients, or GMO’s. Although I was a little skeptical how tasty their products might be, we discovered that they are delicious. In their crunchy cookie line, Alex is a fan of their vanilla honey grahams and their sugar crisps. (They also make crunchy chocolate chip cookies and double chocolate cookies, but we keep Alex away from chocolate, which seems to make him hyper.) Besides their crunchy cookies, Enjoy Life also makes soft-baked cookies, including chocolate chip, double chocolate brownies, gingerbread spice, and Alex’s favorite chewy cookie, snickerdoodles. While we have been able to find these cookies at our local Strack and Van Til grocery stores, these products are also available online directly from Enjoy Life or other retailers. In addition, their website (http://www.enjoylifefoods.com) offers a store locator where their products can be purchased; their helpful website also provides more information about their products along with recipes. I’m pleased to have found a company that caters to people with food allergies and makes delicious cookies Alex can eat, which has made life better for us.

We are also fortunate that the chain of Strack and Van Til grocery stores in Northwest Indiana support people with food allergies, offering a wide variety of foods for people on special diet plans. In addition, we have been able to attend two of their special foods tasting events, where Alex was able to sample various gluten-free and dairy-free foods to decide whether or not he liked them. In fact, this was how we discovered Enjoy Life cookies. Another way that the Strack and Van Til stores have shown their concern for their special customers is to provide Caroline’s carts in all of their stores. These grocery carts allow parents of special needs children to shop more easily because their special design permits even older children to ride securely facing their parents without their parents having to lift them as they would with a regular cart. After lifting Alex for many years into a grocery cart for his safety, I clearly see the value of Caroline carts for special needs children. Once when Alex was beyond the age typical children ride in the grocery cart seat, an elderly man watched me heft Alex up into the cart and commented, “Honey, you shouldn’t be lifting him into the cart; he should be lifting you!” Fortunately, Alex no longer needs to ride in the grocery cart, but I would have loved a Caroline’s cart when he was younger.

Designed by Drew Ann Long, these carts (as depicted above) were named after her special needs daughter Caroline and developed to keep special needs children safe while their parents shop. The best part of these carts is that parents can easily maneuver children into the cart seats without having to lift them as much as they would with typical grocery carts. Produced by the company Technibilt, Caroline’s carts are now available in stores in more than forty states in the U.S., including large supermarket chains such as Kroger, Publix, Winco, Albertson’s, Shop Rite, and Whole Foods. In addition, these carts are also available at the commissaries of many U.S. military bases. To find stores that offer Caroline’s carts, the Caroline’s Cart website (http://www.carolinescart.com) includes an interactive map to show availability of the carts and provides more information about these helpful inventions. I’m pleased that Caroline carts are now available so that parents of special needs children can more easily and safely place their children in grocery carts.

While parenting a special needs child presents certain challenges that typical parents may not realize, the availability of new products makes life easier and better for special needs children and their families. Moreover, companies who offer these products readily inspire a loyalty and gratitude from the customers whom they help. I’m thankful that our local grocery chain, Strack and Van Til, not only offers Caroline’s carts for special needs children but also offers a wide assortment of foods for people with special diets. While these gestures may seem small, to special needs parents, they mean a great deal.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8

The Reality of Food Allergies

Last week, my friend K.C. Wells wrote a terrific piece in response to an article by Renee Moilanen entitled “Parents Should Relax a Bit About Kids’ Food Allergies.” [To read Ms. Moilanen’s article, click here.] Since K.C.’s little boy has severe allergies to milk and eggs, she justifiably didn’t appreciate Ms. Moilanen’s casual dismissal about concerns parents have regarding their children’s food allergies. [To read K.C.’s blog entry “Oh NO You Didn’t,” click here.] While Ms. Moilanen complains that trying to provide class birthday treats for her son is a nuisance when his classmates have various food allergies, K.C. points out that her son has sadly been left out of sharing birthday treats when she wasn’t given prior notice so that she could provide an allergen-free alternative treat for him to enjoy with his classmates. Moreover, Ms. Moilanen has the audacity to say that many parents of children with food allergies are simply overreacting and suggests, “I'll bet that most of the children in my son's preschool class would do just fine nibbling some foods off the allergy list.” I’m not sure what made her think that she could offer such a potentially dangerous idea; the editor’s note above her article clearly states: “Renee Moilanen is not a doctor.” As K.C. notes, her son may need to carry an Epi-pen his entire life because of the severity of his food allergies; he would not “do just fine” eating foods to which he is allergic. Furthermore, Ms. Moilanen minimizes the seriousness of food allergies when she writes, “Each year, there are only about 9,500 hospitalizations in the entire country related to children with severe food allergies.” In response K.C. wisely comments, “Maybe you think that ‘only’ 9,500 hospitalizations due to children's severe food allergies isn't that big of a deal, but I guarantee that being hospitalized was a huge deal to the parents of those 9,500 kids.”

While Alex’s food sensitivities to glutens, which are found in most grains, and caseins, which are milk proteins, are not as serious as those some children face, they have made us vigilant about removing foods from his diet that he does not tolerate well. After reading that many children with autism suffer from food allergies and sensitivities, I requested that Alex’s doctor test him to see if he had any issues with food. Using the ELISA blood test that detects antibodies indicating immune responses to food, we discovered that he followed a typical pattern seen in children with autism in that he needed to be placed on a gluten-free and casein-free diet. After more than fourteen years on the diet, Alex has done quite well by avoiding those foods that do not contain glutens and milk or milk products. The few times that he has cheated on his diet by sneaking foods he shouldn’t eat, we saw behavioral reactions that convinced us he needs to remain on the diet. Of course, Ms. Moilanen would probably disagree and simply think that we should relax and let Alex eat whatever he wants. Clearly, she’s never witnessed what happens when a teenager with autism breaks his CFGF diet by eating a paczki (a Polish jelly donut traditionally eaten for Mardi Gras); essentially it’s the equivalent of giving a kid two double espressos. As they say, “Don’t try this at home.”

In reading Ms. Moilanen’s article, two things struck me as the parent of a child with food sensitivities as well as an autism mom—her lack of compassion for these parents and children and her self-designated expertise. Unfortunately, she is not the only observer who feels confident about criticizing how other parents handle their children, even though she has no first-hand knowledge of the problems the parents are facing. Until we have walked in another parent’s shoes, we have no right to judge their decisions and actions, especially when that parent’s primary motivation is doing what’s best for the health and welfare of the child. Rather than feeling sympathetic toward her son’s classmates who cannot eat chocolate cupcakes, Ms. Moilanen resents their parents for not allowing their children to eat foods containing allergens so that her son can have the birthday treat of his choice. Perhaps a better lesson for her son would be for her to teach him compassion for these children who, unlike him, cannot eat anything their hearts desire.

While keeping Alex gluten-free and casein-free has required research, creativity, and diligence, I’m certain that he is healthier for being on the diet. Overall, he has been very cooperative about not eating foods he shouldn’t, and I think he probably eats a more varied diet than most people because he is willing to try any fruit, vegetable, or meat. As I’ve noted previously, the only foods he won’t eat are popcorn, mashed potatoes, and sometimes broccoli. Whenever presented with a new food, he will always ask, “Does this have glutens or dairy?” Although some people have sympathetically asked about the limitations of his diet and inquired as to whether he’ll always have to avoid certain foods, they have never questioned our decision as parents to keep him on the diet. Fortunately, the increasing number of gluten-free foods that actually taste good have made feeding Alex easier. Moreover, my mom and I both enjoy baking and have learned to make homemade cakes and cookies using alternatives to wheat flour and milk products. Hence, the sacrifice becomes less of a sacrifice, and we are blessed that Alex is so cooperative.

As I reread “Parents Should Relax a Bit About Kids’ Food Allergies,” I noticed a number of parents with children who have food allergies have posted comments highly critical of the article’s assertions. Obviously, these parents feel passionate about protecting their children and don’t appreciate anyone questioning their judgment. Although I’d like to think that the author could learn from the first-hand stories of these parents dealing with their children’s food allergies, I suspect from her tone that she will only resent them even more. God clearly knew what he was doing when he entrusted the children with food allergies to these parents who are willing to fight for their children and keep them safe. As for those like Ms. Moilanen who can only offer criticism and bad advice, well, “Let them eat cake!” We’re too busy taking care of our kids to care what they think.

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Matthew 5:10