From the outside in....
This therapist has put her focus on helping us to create a consistent and stable sensory diet, one which is organized and efficient for everyone involved, put simply 'A' is a multisensory seeker with a high level of independence and of course, a good intellect, and motor skills, with poor sleep habits, and a faltering diet (on occasion) he displays hyperactive tendencies, and this can, as you may suspect, create a masterpiece of chaos. Personally, I do find he is quite aware of his needs, and depending on what events are taking place that day (illness, socialization, isolation, appointments, playdates, family activities) he will tend to his sensory needs accordingly, but illness is tough to monitor, he isn't usually a complainer.
Wilbarger Brushing Protocol
You can read more about this and other sensory modulation therapies here.
We were recommended this because it is a highly effective strategy to get a great deal of response from the nervous system (it is a full body approach) and since it is a combined process and even ending in oral tactile technique for those who are able to do so, it could calm him a great deal. My experience thus far has been, when he is dizzy, lazy, lethargic, or in a slump this revitalizes him but also does so in an organized way. Not like giving a child with ADHD coffee, or a sometimes intense dose of B supplements, this helps a child reconnect his self-awareness to his current cognitive state... I guess it would be like saying, bringing his mind and body back to the same frequency from a non-invasive, non-dietary means. I am thrilled to be doing this, as our diet changes are a very slow process, with the help of a classic OT specialist, I am able to implement holistic approaches more effectively (brushing is actually a recommended practice to support the cleanse proposed by our holistic nutritionist, read further for that update.)
From the inside out....
My child is a picky eater.. he also loves his comfort food, and through life's ups and downs, has come to be acquainted with food in many different ways. For instance, he craves oranges during a cold season, he drinks more water, and avoids fried foods. His brother has much of the same traits, but for now my focus is on 'A' because he is more tolerant to trying new foods, and expanding the ones he already enjoys. I also find diet to be less of an issue, but I have never been able to safely take him off gluten until now. Why? because his nervous system is directly tied to his eating habits. If he eats sugar, its responses are instantaneous. If he ingests prescription medication, the first side effects he experiences are those to do with his nervous system, and what is worse, the same can be said for biomedical treatments, supplementation, and organic versus gmo or chemically grown foods. My most informative experience has been taking him from GMOs to organic with his most sensitive foods, and suddenly seeing a complete difference.. for instance, I would comfortably say that grapes are a 'do not buy' food for him but I can certainly clear up constipation with them; however when I tried organic grapes, they caused only a small fraction of the same side effects as the 'regular' variety. I have some thoughts on this, which I will share later.
A recent new friend of mine, is a certified holistic nutritionist, who happens to be diagnosed with asperger's syndrome herself, and her child has similar traits. She has been encouraging me to follow a cleanse diet she has put together after a few interviews and a great deal of background information about my children. She has also openly provided her knowledge from her training and education on what healthy eating REALLY looks like. That being said, my primary task (which has taken me a couple months to even work my head around) is to start the cleanse, it is only for 15 days.. up to 30 days if the child is okay with it. However!! it means no fruit, no sugar, no wheat, no dairy.
Here's the most recent research I have found about gluten and autism!!
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