A while back, I posted Part 1 of To Have Gluten Or Not, That Is The Question. That weekly point sheet he had in school? He failed it in January and February. It kept track of him completing work and interacting positively with his peers for each academic subject. The 3 weeks before Christmas break and no gluten? B, B+ and A. After Christmas break and on gluten? B, C, C-, D, F, F, C. His teacher was not told he was eating foods with gluten.
So, Monday we head back to the doctor for a consult to discuss the stomach issues. Hubby and I have seen a huge increase in rigidity, needing agendas, difficulty with change, low tolerance to social situations and changes in routines, head banging to go to sleep, during the night and while he's waking up, red ears, bumps on his upper arms and lots of sitting on the toilet for long amounts of times.
Ya know, when I am talking with other parents it is so easy to give them good, practical advice that works for their kids. When I go into a classroom I can quickly access an issue and come up with a solution for the teacher to implement to teach a pro-social behavior to a student and decrease an inappropriate behavior. I can help them foster communication and social skills with their students. And its easy. So very easy for me.
But Adam. This stuff is so hard when it's your own. Whether we find a medical reason or not, it's becoming very clear he simply can not handle being on gluten. Meeting his behavioral needs is taking up so much energy. The constant agenda's he needs. The meltdowns if someone can't play with him. The rigidity that things must.be.done. this.way or a meltdown. If something is changed a meltdown. Oh, the metldowns. It's so painful to be him right now. And so painful to parent him right now. Because inside I hurt so much too. My heart hurts so much for him. I truly hate that life is so hard for him and that I can't kiss him and make it better.
Friday, February 27, 2009
To Have Gluten Or Not, That Is The Question, Part II
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2 comments:
It's great though that you all were willing to experiment and find out for sure if the gluten was having an impact. I know it must be frustrating to see that it has, although I'm sure going back to the gluten-free diet (if that's what you will do) will be easier for you than it was getting on it the first time.
It is much, much harder to be objective about your own child! The emotions creep in and interfere with the ability to analyze (though honestly it sounds like you have done a great job determining what's going on with Adam and how to handle it all.)
Rosie's in a frustrating phase right now. I hope we only have the grace to handle it as well as you all have with Adam.
So are you all living gluten-free now and is life much better? Your story is so familar. I sure wish I had your same insight as to the possible negative effects of ingeting gluten when I was in my 30's. I could have changed life for me at now 50 and my son now 20. Just posting to cheer you on. You go girl! You can do this Gluten-Free thing for you son and yourself. I really believe it is a wonderful thing you are onto. Blessing - Deb - Check out my gluten story at my blog.
http://wheat-free.blogspot.com/
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