On my mind.

My son, about to turn 8, started out on that same diet too.
It gets way easier.
He went from Autism to Sensory disorder to Asperger's in diagnosis.
Now he remembers what he can have way better than I do.
AND - we have been able to lighten up too. Incidental glutons in food don't bug him any more.
AND - our whole famity eats heathier.
Westec Vanilla Soy Shake - in a box - yum.
Isn't haveing the specailist the best??
We have a Developmental Peditrician who is so supportive of David...but of my husband and me too.
I wish every parent had a medical professional (or some one in authority that we as parents look to) to pat them on the back and tell them they are doing a good job!
The eating Chicken while reading Go Dog Go in the CK LO - adorable:)
kellicrowe

Hi Ali,
Here is a link to a good "gluten free" web resource http://www.celiac.com/
My sister has celiac disease and it is critical for her to remain gluten free... there is hidden gluten in lots of products including things as seemingly benign as soy sauce (it is brewed from wheat).
Simon's situation is less dire than my sister's, but Celiac.com have a really good guide to gluten free foods, foods that contain hidden gluten and a dining out guide that lists restaurants that are conscious of special diets and can actually tell you what food products are used in preparation of their meals. The Celiac foundation has similar resources too.
It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised!
Best wishes as you proceed!
Sue

Hey Ali!! We have Sean on this card system now.. I will have to email it to you!!
Pam

Another great book is Catherine Maurice's book, "Let Me Hear Your Voice." It is not about a diet, but autism.

Hi Ali!
First let me say that you are an amazing spirit! I love all that you create, your layouts are amazing and I think you may have turned me on to art journaling as well! I discovered your blog thru 2 peas the other day and have been hooked!
I wanted to share my experiences first as a sister to a little boy with autism (now a strapping 17 yr old with autism) and as a pre-K teacher to 2-4 yr olds with developmental delays and other issues. First as a sister, my brother, Bernie is a very picky eater who is a vegetarian that has only eaten a few choice things over the course of his life. Now, he is the size of a small forward or running back and still only eats veggie chicken patties and potatoes...do not worry! Bernie was small at first, he was born at 16oz.(he was a preemie, born at 30 weeks) and was always a little below the averages in height and weight but he was always consistent on the growth charts.
Then when he turned 15 he grew six inches and gained about 30lbs. in a year. Now, he is now right in the middle of the average size and weight. All that, and he still only eats about five different things...
As a pre-K teacher, I have several students with autism and I have seen a major change in their language, behavior, etc... after certain dietary changes have been made. It is very hard for the parents and (occasionally) very hard for us at school but with the changes in development and the ensuing progress, it is well worth it!
I hope that I have provided you with some insight...I also have some great web resources if you are ever interested...I teach at a center school for students with developmental delays and disabilities in Tallahassee, Florida.
Have a wonderful evening, and keep creating, I can't wait to see what you do next!
Courtney Benedix

I recently read a good book about autism- Thinking in Pictures and other reports from my life with autism by Temple Grandin. Very interesting about how the mind of an autistic person works differently to process information. Also a good story about how she overcame a lot of obstacles to lead a "normal" life.

Ali,
Matéa is an extremely picky eater - she could live on cereal, mac and and cheese, pb&j, strawberry milk, and fruit - maybe a few carrots thrown in for good measure.
Our friends have a boy who is/was autistic - they were completely pro-active with him... he is now in a regular pre-K class and will be 6 in July!

I can speak that Simon's diet sounds totally normal and actually pretty varied for a two/three year old toddler. In fact, Simon's diet sounds prety well rounded. I think my little one only ate bananas, cheerios and milk at that age. :o)

Ali,
It sounds like Simon is eating like most 3 year olds out there :)
My son (turned 3 in March) has been gluten/casein/soy free (nut free, egg free, etc... due to additional food allergies) for over a year and a half. Half the battle was getting me to make the paradigm shift regarding food. It's ok to have chicken nuggets for breakfast- hot dogs don't always need to have buns- that sort of thing...
That is awesome that you are doing the diet with Simon. We have done various types of biomedical interventions and therapies with our son (dx'ed PDD at 18 months). Dietary changes still remain one of the things that has helped him the most.
Hang in there with the diet- it will become second nature, I promise. There are a few gfcf yahoo groups out there- great places to get additional gfcf recipes.
And have you tried Lisa Lewis' ANDI bars- Yummy! My son cannot have them (tree nut allergies), but I eat them. Great for a meal on-the-go.
Best of luck to you-
Nicole

hey, i would also like to know about the nitrate free hot dogs. we buy the morningstar soy hot dogs and they are nitrate free...but not very yummy. although, you probably have more options in oregon than in my little town. :)

Ali, this is my first hello to you- I absolutely LOVE your work & your blog.
This is what my 3-year-old w/ minor food allergies eats:
Chicken Nuggets w/ ketchup, pasta, toast, black beans, spelt pretzels, applesauce, hummus, tortilla chips, french fries (healthy of course!) "rice" cream & a few kinds of breakfast cereal. And ONE flavor of yougurt in a tube that can only be eaten frozen, not soft. Oh, and blueberries ONLY if in a smoothie that I make out of applesauce & yougurt (that one flavor already frozen). She's limited to 2 servings of wheat per day. Simon, all issues aside, is a great eater!

Hi Ali,
I don't have kids so I can't help you there. But I did order that book from Amazon. It sounds like a wonderful book. Something I really need!
Hang in there.

Ali I am a little embarrassed to tell you that Simon's diet is probably far better than my own. I have to eat REALLY bland foods and even some of what he can have is too "spicy" for me - not for anyone else but enough to upset my system. Hope all goes well.

Don't know if you watched it or not.. I'm not even sure when it was on but I wanted to let you know about it - CNN is having a special on autism I saw a commercial yesterday but didn't get any details on it. Maybe you can check out their site.

Ali,
I have been an admirer of your work and a lurker on your blog- I had no idea about Simon's condition. My son was diagnosed ASD at 2-1/2, is now 8 and doing well mainstreamed with an aide, and still maintaining a home program 4 days a week. We did the whole GFCF diet for 1-1/2 years, tried the vitamin therapy, etc. I think everyone's experience will be different, so keep an open mind as you read the barrage of information out there.
I do have the best GFCF receipe for chocolate chip cookies if you are interested, and any book by Bette Hagman is great. Hang in there- it will indeed be a struggle for balance.