Monday, December 29, 2008

Feeding Your Toddler


When: Thu, January 22, 2009, 11am – 12pm

Join Dr. Linda Warren, from Bainbridge Pediatrics, and Catherine Whiting, Occupational Therapist, as they share ideas about helping toddlers become healthy eaters. Catherine Whiting will share ideas from over 25 years experience as a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in how sensory processing issues affect eating and feeding skills. Dr. Warren will discuss ideas from the book How to Get Your Kid to Eat... But Not Too Much by Ellyn Satter. Kids are welcome and can play and explore the Under the Sea exhibit while adults can share ideas and learn about Satters "Golden Rule" of parenting. This is a part of the MiniMu Thursdays program, now hosted at the Museum on a regular schedule. Each month KiDiMu will try to bring in a Pediatric Specialist on different topics of interests to parents of toddlers. Complimentary coffee available to parents and caregivers. Free with admission or membership and for infants under 1. Info: 206.855.4650 or www.kidimu.org

Thursday, July 24, 2008

IAM Family Picnic

Sunday, July 27th from 11:30 to 2 PM at Eagledale Park on Bainbridge Island. All welcome! Contact Carol Wood to RSVP cjwood8@msn.com.

See you there!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Toxins and ASD

Children with Autism have abnormal detoxification systems = increased risk of damage from environmental insults.
Toxins?
v Food as a ‘neurotoxin’.
v Medications
v Environmental; metals, chemical exposures, mold, fabrics, carpeting, cleaning products (at home and especially at school).
v Why can’t children with ASD detoxify?
v How do we lower the toxic burden?

FOOD: Are we feeding our kids toxins?
food preservatives - food additives - food borne pathogens genetically engineered food - cooking oils - baby food - fluoride in foods - food irradation - aluminum in processed food- artificial sweeteners

12 Key Additives to Avoid and Their Health Risks:
1. Hydrogenated Fats—cardiovascular disease, obesity
2. Artificial Food Colors—allergies, asthma, hyperactivity; possible carcinogen, ADHD, ADD
3. Nitrites and Nitrates—these substances can develop into nitrosamines in body, which can be carcinogenic
4. Sulfites (sulfur dioxide, metabisulfites, and others)—allergic and asthmatic reactions
5. Sugar and Sweeteners—obesity, dental cavities, diabetes and hypoglycemia, increased triglycerides (blood fats) or candida (yeast)
6. Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Acesulfame K and Saccharin, Sucralose, Fructalose)—behavioral problems, hyperactivity, allergies, and possibly carcinogenic. The government cautions against the use of any artificial sweetener by children and pregnant women. Anyone with PKU (phenylketonuria—a problem of phenylalanine, an amino acid, metabolism) should not use aspartame (Nutrasweet). By the way---Splenda is NOT natural.
7. MSG (monosodium glutamate)—common allergic and behavioral reactions, including headaches, dizziness, chest pains, depression and mood swings; also a possible neurotoxin
8. Preservatives (BHA, BHT, EDTA, etc.)—allergic reactions, hyperactivity, possibly cancer-causing; BHT may be toxic to the nervous system and the liver
9. Artificial Flavors—allergic or behavioral reactions
10. Refined Flour—low-nutrient calories, carbohydrate imbalances, altered insulin production, and for ASD children peptide-opiod effect from products containing gluten.
11. Salt (excessive)—fluid retention and blood pressure increases, beware of non-clumping agents added to table salt—some are chemically derived, others contain gluten.
12. Olestra (an artificial fat)—diarrhea and digestive disturbances, long term effects are UNKNOWN.

Other Concerns:
Food Waxes (protective coating of produce, as in cucumbers, peppers, and apples)—may trigger allergies, can contain pesticides, fungicide sprays or animal byproducts. Plastic packaging—Carcinogenic (vinyl chloride); immune reactions, lung shock…
What can we do?
Begin by avoiding the most questionable additives. Colors and sweeteners are the most common ‘offenders’ for kids with ASD. Make a decision to either cut down on or cut out altogether those food additives that may be hazardous to your child. Although it may seem difficult to change habits and find substitutes for foods your child enjoys, remind yourself that you will be adding to their diet some wholesome new flavors and foods that they may come to like even more.
Avoidance and discrimination are crucial proactive steps you can take to protect your child from toxic overload and promote repair. Changing your shopping and eating routines isn’t something you can easily do overnight. The first step is to sharpen your awareness about what you’re currently feeding to your family.

ARC of Kitsap

The ARC Parent to Parent program focused on Autism Awareness month.

  1. They have A Kitsap County support group. The group ASIF is ordering puzzle pieces to sell to support Austim research and go support sending a member of their group to a meeting in Detroit.contact is Sherryt Charlot (360)377-34732.
  2. Autism Awareness classes ( Autism 101 and 200) sponsored the Children's Hospital for paernts and caregivers.
  3. They have a video and telecommunications outreach program for those who can't attend.contact is Sherry Charlot.
  4. There is a grant for families to pay for biomedical treaments, supplements or therapies paid directly to venders via National Autism Association.
  5. A Kingston mom is doing two Awareness walks this week, one in Suquamish and another in Port Gamble/Sklallam. The North Kistap Herald has an article about her on April 26th.contact Trisha: (360)340-4925

ARC of Kitsp County has more information. ( 360)377-3473

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Dad's Night--Mariner's Baseball!

Join Autism Speaks and our Athletes Against Autism program as we raise awareness about autism and funds for the research, education and outreach initiatives of Autism Speaks at Seattle Mariners Autism Awareness Night!

Benefiting: Athletes Against Autism & Autism Speaks

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
7:10 PM @ Safeco Field, Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers

There will be information booths on the concourse and much more.

Ticket Prices: 100 Level Seats - $32 or 300 Level Seats - $15
For more information on purchasing tickets and more event specifics, please contact Susan Barlet at barletmarksusan@msn.com or (253) 826-9723.
www.athletesagainstautism.org
www.autismspeaks.org

A group of IAM- Dads will be going together, contact catb@IAM-HOPE.org for info.

Calling all Autism-Moms!

IAM is putting together a collection of our stories for an informal Mother's Day publication. Please send your stories to catb@IAM-HOPE.org before Mother's Day, May 11th.

This is an idea of one of the IAM Moms, who writes:

"Each of us has our story, a place where it started. I find a lot of solace in hearing each of the other IAM's stories, and I think it would be wonderful to collect them up and have them available for other parents who join the group to read. I also think it would be very helpful to parents with questions about their children to read the stories of what we noticed, and when, and what our paths to diagnosis (or not) have been like. Please let me know what you think of this idea - If there are concerns about protecting the privacy/anonymity of our children/families, we could write them up anonymously and control the distribution, etc."

Funny, thought inspiring, often heartbreaking and poignant, long, short.....please write whatever comes to mind--we will edit if you can only manage a draft!

Let's celebrate our Motherhood of these amazing kids!

Sunday, March 30, 2008

World Awareness Day

As you may know, next Wednesday, April 2nd has been designated 'World Autism Awareness Day'. Events intended to share the knowledge about Autism have been planned world-wide. Island Autism Moms (IAM) has arranged to have two tables set up, one at T&C and the other in front of Lollipops from 9 am until 4 pm. We will be handing out balloons, flowers, Autism Speaks pamphlets, research materials, and display books for children and adults. This isn't about raising funds or collecting signatures, it's about raising Autism awareness.

Please come join us to show your support for this amazing day of national recognition for a disorder that now affects 1 in 150 children. If would like to help out on World Autism Awareness Day, please email Carie Bude at catb@IAM-HOPE.org or visit us on April 2nd, enjoy a flower and balloon and show your support for the those touched by Autism.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Mainstreaming for kids with ASD?

Please read!
http://autism.about.com/b/2007/11/29/wall-street-journal-says-parents-of-children-with-autism-are-advocating-against-mainstreaming-in-the-schools.htm

Letter to Bainbridge Island School District

Please contact me if you are interested in supporting this effort! catb113@comcast.net


As parents and advocates of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Bainbridge Island School District, we write to express the need for a comprehensive early intervention program including a developmental kindergarten for our children. In the fall of 2008, approximately 22 special needs preschoolers will be making a transition to kindergarten. Many of these children have profound social/emotional deficits that require a specialized educational setting featuring highly qualified special education teachers with experience and training in this complicated disorder.

The Center for Disease Control reports that 1 in 150 children in the United States are diagnosed with ASD. ASD is the fastest growing developmental disability in the nation, with an annual growth rate of 10-17%. We need to be proactive and focus on early intervention during the critical developmental years in which the potential for progress is greatest. A 2001 London School of Economics study projected that the cost of lifelong care could be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention. In the long run, early intervention saves dollars.

Highly regarded professionals including Stephan Glass, M.D. a Seattle area neurologist who specializes in treating children with ASD are of the professional opinion that neither a regular kindergarten with some support nor a self contained special education setting without neurotypical peers are appropriate options for children with ASD. These children require a kindergarten setting tailored to their special needs with the following features: 1) low teacher to student ratio, 2) special education teacher with experience and current training in ASD, 3) social skills and self regulation focus, 4) exposure to neurotypical peers.

Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) in Bellevue and the Experimental Education Unit (EEU) in Seattle offer state of the art programs for ASD children. The Bainbridge Island School District needs to examine other successful educational program models and create a comprehensive plan for this special needs population.

We, as parents and advocates of these special needs children in the Bainbridge Island School District, need to see the District focusing on best practices and research-based strategies. The November 27, 2007 front-page article published in the Wall Street Journal, reports that parents of children with ASD are not advocating mainstreaming in the public schools. We share the concern raised by other ASD professionals that the combination of noise, visual over stimulation, complicated social setting, and inability to provide individualized educational programming, can make typical classrooms unbearable for children with autism and quite possibly lead to regression. Not to mention the disruptions our children with ASD can create for general education teachers and students.
We urge the District to take action in a timely fashion in order to meet the staffing and planning requirements necessary to serve this population. We would like to work collaboratively with the District to create an optimal comprehensive curriculum plan that will meet the public educational needs of these children.

More on Going-Gluten-Free!

Island Autism Moms February 27, 2008
Going Gluten-Free continued….
I have never heard of a child with ASD not benefiting from a change in diet. Gluten is responsible across the board for many varying neurological and gastro-intestinal disorders (ASD, ADD, ADHD, Celiac disease, psychological irregularities and metabolic disorders, to name a few.) When a parent ‘tries’ going-gluten-free and feels it does not help their child, it is my feeling that they either didn’t give it a chance (sometimes takes up to 9-18 months to see improvement) they gave up because most often their kids get ‘worse’ after beginning the diet, or they are not careful about implementing the elimination of gluten.
Here are some tips about truly going GLUTEN-FREE:
Please read the cross-contamination pointers about home food-prep on the blog. It will take a while to set up a gluten-free prep area at home, but soon it will be second nature!
Be aware of cross-contamination of gluten-free items found in bakeries, cafes and grocery stores. Remember, there is a difference between ‘’gluten-free’ and no-gluten-added (or gluten-less) food items. If a food item is marked by a manufacturer as ‘gluten-free’ it has been ‘certified’ that it does not contain any gluten ingredients AND was produced in a gluten-free production facility.
For example—locally Black Bird Bakery often makes what they label ‘gluten-free’ scones, biscuits, cookies, brownies, etc. BUT these were made on the same counters, bowls and ovens that wheat, oat, bran etc, flour items were produced. Even in the best kitchens—cross contamination is tricky, so please be careful and wary of trusting an unwrapped food item in a non-gluten free facility to be truly gluten-free! Also, keep in mind that gluten-free is not also dairy, milk, butter, casein free, so check ALL of the ingredients in anything that you are planning to give your child that you did not personally make yourself.
That said, here are some sneaky ingredients that can interfere with going-gluten-free:
Candy: Wheat is used as a thickener in many gummy-type and licorice-like candies. Candies are often produced on machinery or counters that are dusted with flour—and the companies making the candy are not obligated to disclose the use of flour as a non-stick surface agent, only if it is used as an ingredient.
Caramel Color: beware if it is made of malt syrup or starch hydrolysates. (malt sneaks its way into rice-milk and beverages and many cereals!)
Dextrin: Found in hot-dogs, pasta sauce and processed foods. Sometimes made from corn or potatoes, but also wheat.
French Fries: In packages, wheat is often used as a browning or crisping agent. Read the label! In restaurants fried foods share the same batch of oil; breaded items, and floured items contaminate the oil.
HVP or Hydrolyzed Veg. Protein: Found in canned mixed foods; soups, sausages and hot dogs and OFTEN INJECTED IN TURKEY.
Modified Food Starch: Often derived from wheat and found in processed foods as a thickener.
Rice Syrup: Beware of malt in it!
Vinegar: Found in many condiments-ketchup, mustard, mayo, salsa…not to mention pickled foods. Only properly distilled vinegar is acceptable (vinegar is derived from fermented grains) or apple cider, rice, wine and fruit vinegars are ‘safe’. Don’t forget to read your salsa labels!
Other foods to consider avoiding or reading labels: Most contain wheat or grain:
· Soy sauce
· ‘natural flavorings’
· Bouillon cubes and flavorings
· Spices and table salt—some contained anti-clumping agents derived from wheat
· Corn starch and Powdered sugar-same reason as above
· Liquid Baking flavorings that contain alcohol: vanilla, almond, maple, orange, etc.
REMEMBER:
1. Read labels
2. Look for ‘hidden’ ingredients
3. Be skeptical unless an item is certified ‘gluten-free’.
4. Even if a food does not contain gluten, did it come down the same conveyor belt as a food that does or was the machinery cleaned thoroughly between batches? Was it made on the same counter or by hands handling gluten foods?
5. When ordering at a restaurant, do they fully understand the precautions required to avoid gluten?
6. When in doubt—be conservative! It’s worth it!
7. Try to stay positive! Don’t think elimination—think substitution! We live in a time when there are great ingredients, stores and resources!

SUGGESTION:
Keep a food diary or chart:
1. Note changes both positive and negative behaviors such as:
++ Increase in Verbalization
++ Better processing of instruction and information
++ Calmer more regulated, easier to soothe
++ Clearer, less ‘zoning’ or stimming
--Aggression
-- Anxiety
--Hyperactivity
--Rocking, head banging, flapping…..

2. Note physical changes such as:
Upset stomach, stomach pain, diarrhea, regularity, appetite, sleep, etc

3. Give each item a measurable ‘grade’ each day for a realistic evaluation.

Resources:
Living Well Without Wheat, The Gluten-Free Gourmet by Bette Hagma
Special Diets for Special Kids by Lisa Lewis

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Sensory Integration Presentation

Free Presentation for parents, teachers and caregivers
“Practical Solutions to Manage Sensory Integration Issues”


February 21st, Thursday 7:00-8:00

Time for individual questions and sharing afterward
presented by:
Catherine M Whiting, MS, OTR/L
13881 John Street NE
Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110

directions: www.CatherineWhiting.com

No children, please
RSVP preferred.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Help with Kitchen Cross-Contamination

Tips below were listed on the Gluten-Free Forum website. Since we haven't been able to have detailed discussions about cross-contamination, you may find these ideas informative.

Here are cross-contamination potential issues:
1. Replace toaster/toaster oven. Never use the same toaster/oven that gluten products have been used in.
2. Replace all cutting boards. Old boards may be kept separate for use with gluten foods.
3. Replace wooden or Teflon cooking utensils. Old utensils may be kept separate for use with gluten foods.
4. Replace porous pots/pans/skillets. Teflon and cast iron are porous and retain gluten from past cooking.
5. Replace pans with seams. Past gluten products can easily be retained in the seam.
6.Never wash gluten and gluten-free dishes in the same dish water.
7.Use disposable rags/sponges if your kitchen is not totally gluten-free.
8. Many issues one forgets to look at: can openers colanders pets (food, licking) stamps, envelopes stamp hinges (for collectors) lipstick toothpaste
9. Very important: silver drawer: there are always crumbs there.
10. shared tables, like at work. I frequently sit down to have lunch & find someone else's sandwich crumbs all over.
11. Perhaps remembering to wash your hands before eating finger food. I know our moms always told us to do this, but it's easy to forget. There are so many potential contaminants in the house, especially for those of us with pets or kids, that you might not even realize you've touched something that's potentially dangerous.
12. bulk bins at the grocery: it has one of the most cross-contaminated potential. One has to ask the owners to put some aside when they have a new bag.
13. At school: Gym class was held in the multi-purpose room (lunchroom) where kids had just eaten breakfast. Custodians swept the floor after breakfast, but didn't wash it. My son crawled around on the floor during gym class, wiggled his loose teeth...gluten. Kids met for chess club in the library during lunch, so they ate their lunch in the library. Crumbs on the carpet get on little fingers. Kids eat snacks in the hallways. Crumbs get tracked into the classroom. Five year olds spent a lot of time crawling on the floor. Some brands of play "clay" (ex. Rose Art) contain gluten. Some finger paints also do. Check out all art supplies used in the art room and in the classroom.
14. the conveyor belts at the checkout counters in supermarkets: for ex.: leaking flour bags, etc


  • Don't use the same cloth to wipe both 'gluten' work tops and the 'gluten free' area. Use separate cloth kitchen towels [or disposable ones] for your gluten-free area in kitchen.
  • Rinse off ordinary breadcrumbs or ordinary flour sauce before putting items in dishwasher.
  • Gluten crumbs on the floor [crawling toddlers, pets transfer]
  • Can opener [have a separate one for gluten-free]

Ideas from others: I have color-coded all the gluten-free stuff and have separate drawers and cupboard areas for my pans, cooking utensils, plastic ware, etc. I also have a separate storage area for my pasta, flours, etc. I know that I am lucky to have a kitchen that allows this. I gather that some people just make their entire kitchen gluten-free, and I would like to do that, so I wouldn't always be having to clean the buttons on the microwave and the handle of the refrigerator, but I think they'd really revolt. So I just try to be super-careful, and never lay anything down on a counter without a paper towel or a plate under it, even on the counter that is the gluten-free area.

Information can be found on http://www.celiac.com/ under the Gluten-Free Forum

Friday, January 25, 2008

Interesting Reading

Both Discovery Magazine and Harvard Magazine (an alumni publication) published excellent articles focusing on Autism during the month of January. I hope you take time to read them!

Autism: It's Not Just in the Head
http://discovermagazine.com/2007/apr/autism-it2019s-not-just-in-the-head

A Spectrum of Disorders
http://harvardmagazine.com/2008/01/a-spectrum-of-disorders.html

Meeting Notes January 23rd

Hello Moms!
Here are the notes from our last meeting!

Introduction to Vitamin Supplement and Nutritional Therapy:
Why?
· Children with Autism will very often eat only a narrow range of foods.
· Children are not taking in the necessary nutrients to maintain normal cell function.
· They have abnormal cell function and consequent inadequate digestion.
· Poor cell function and digestion interferes with absorption of nutrients.
· Even if a child with Autism eats ‘normally’, abnormalities in cellular biochemistry prevents proper utilization of nutrients.
Whether Autism-associated deficiencies are a cause or a result of abnormal metabolism, it is not clear, but in either case, the foundation of an appropriate treatment strategy is to re-supply the nutrients that the child’s body needs to perform more normally.
Vitamins and minerals as co-enzymes are essential to drive biochemical reactions forward in cellular metabolism.
Studies and ‘Proof’:
Typically children with Autism have long standing vitamin and mineral deficiencies, the vast majority show enormous benefits from vitamin/mineral/nutrient therapy. If they were not using supplements before, the reaction is sometimes dramatic, taking the form of greater eye contact, better behavior and sleeping patterns and improved sensory processing within a few weeks of starting a supplement program.
Testing for nutritional deficiencies includes: CBC (Complete blood count), Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, Fasting Amino Acid Analysis (plasma), Organic Acid Analysis (OAT-Urine), Fatty Acid Analysis (plasma), IgG 90 food sensitivity test (serum), Red Blood cell essential minerals (whole blood) and Metallothionein dysfunction.
DAN! Study; ‘Nutritional Status of Autistic Children’ reported by Dr. Woody McGinnis, MD, October 2001. www.autism.com/mcginnis
Dr. William Shaw, ‘Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD’. 1998
Dr. William Shaw and Dr. William Walsh completed a number of studies about maldigestion and malabsorption.
__________________________________________________
In future discussions we will review the following:
Vitamins:
· Vitamin A
· Vitamin B1 (thiamin)
· Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
· Vitamin B3 (niacin)
· Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
· Vitamin B12
· Vitamin C
· Vitamin D
· Vitamin E
· Folic Acid
· Vitamin K
Minerals:
· Zinc
· Magnesium
· Calcium
· Selenium
· Molybdenum
Omega Fatty Acids:
· EPA
· DHA
· ALA
Essential Amino Acids:
· Taurine
· Glutamine
· Arginine
Also Creatine, Carnitine and Coenzyme Q10
Lastly, we will talk about the use of digestive enzymes, probiotics and immunity enhancers TMG and DMG (trimethylglycine and dimethylglycine). Once finished with the evaluation of the vitamins and supplements we will talk about the daunting task of finding supplements that your child will tolerate, dosing and ‘tricks’ to add these vitamins and minerals to your child’s daily routine.
Resources and Reading:
Changing the Course of Autism, by Dr. Bryan Jepson, MD, 2007
Children with Starving Brains, by Dr. Jaquelyn McCandless, 2003
Enzymes for Autism and Other Neurological Conditions, by Karen DelFelice, 2003

Monday, January 7, 2008

Free Autism Seminar in February

Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008

"The ABC's of Functional Lab Testing for Children with ASD".

Presented by Dr. Hatha Gbedawo, ND

Location: Hannah S. Grunbaum Conference Center
1625 19th Ave. Seattle

Call Linda Brozanic for info. or to register. 1-800-288-0383

Sponsored by Great Plains Lab, Inc.

Meeting Notes - 11/7

Introduction to Dietary Intervention for Autism:
Food Allergies, Intolerance and Food as a Neuro-toxin.

Why Eliminate Foods?
- The Science of food and drink; every molecule can have an effect on our bodies.
- We now know through scientific evidence that food and chemicals entering the body have a direct impact on mood, our neurological state and our brain.
- Food and behavior is a well documented relationship.
- Proven connections with neurological function and consumption of food additives, dyes, nitrates and preservatives as manifested in skin reactions, rhinitis, migraines, severe psychiatric problems, Gastro-Intestinal malfunction, hyperactivity, sleep problems and mood in children.

Intolerances and Sentivities vs. Allergies:

True Allergies:
- The bodies immune system produces a substance called IgE antibodies.
- The body releases histamine.
- Well known symptoms: rashes, sneezing, mucus production usually immediately following exposure.

Intolereance and Sensitivity:
- The body reacts by producing IgG antibodies.
- Antibodies are produced when ‘unidentified particles’ or chemicals leak through the gut (GI system) and continue to ‘wander-around’ the bloodstream.
- Symptoms show up as changes in behavior rather than a histiminal reaction.
- Delayed and cumulative.