Sensory Processing Disorder And Gluten?

[raea2002]

question, I know that this has been posted a while back but I am wanting some updated information if any is available... Does anyone else's kids have sensory processing disorder and have you noticed improvement with a gluten free diet?  My son who is almost 4 is displaying sensory issues.  He has been severly constipated and is CHRONICALLY constipated.  His Celiac blood panel came back normal.   We started a gluten free diet about a week ago.  Its hard to say if his behaviors have improved or not since then.  His constipation has NOT improved yet.  I know it can take time but how long?  We are planning on doing this for a month.  Any feed back would be appreciated!  We are going to see a Developmental Specialist on Wednesday.  Sorry if my thoughts are scattered I AM HORRIBLY sleep deprived due to children not sleeping.  LOL

[pricklypear1971]

I have no experience with Sensory Processing Disorder but if he's chronically and severely constipated he may need some help in the beginning. He may need a laxative of some type to loosen things up.

[raea2002]

 He had a blockage, and it took a long time but we finally got it cleared up.  I can manage his constipation FINALLY with Prune/apple juice and Miralax.  Thanks!

[greenbeanie]

My daughter was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder around age 3, but she'd had sensory issues her whole life. She was very slow to lose her infant reflexes, and at one point a neurologist thought she might be having seizures or might have mild cerebral palsy. Her reflexes were over-active in many ways, but the extreme sound sensitivity was the worst. She'd start screaming at the sound of cooking food, paper bags, lawnmowers starting up two blocks away, etc. She had early intervention as an infant and then physical therapy again after her SPD diagnosis, but it only helped a little. She also had food problems since birth and it was very clear to me that everything was connected, but it took a long time to convince doctors of that.

 

We finally figured out she has celiac just after she turned 4. Within days of starting a gluten-free diet, both the digestive issues, the sensory issues, and her overall behavior had improved dramatically. It was like she'd had constant colic for the first four years of her life, and suddenly she was starting to feel better. The first few weeks were a bit rough (gluten withdrawal, I think), but it was clear right away that things were improving. She was not prone to constipation, though - it seems like that might take longer to improve. 

 

I'm trying to remember how long it took for her sensory issues to be near-normal...maybe three months or so? There was immediate improvement in the sound sensitivity, but it still took quite a while for her reactions to be anywhere near typical for a child her age. Now, seven months later, we're able to go to somewhat-noisy public places without her ear protectors (which had been the only thing stopping her from screaming at ordinary public noises before). She'll still only wear seamless leggings or soft sweatpants, but she rarely has meltdowns about itchy clothes nowadays. We stopped physical therapy because we'd obviously gotten to the root of the problem with her diet, and it just seems like a matter of time before the lingering sensory symptoms improve. It is clear to me that she really did meet the criteria for SPD before, but in my daughter's case it just seemed like a label for her symptoms and the diagnosis didn't really help us know what to do about it. If we hadn't figured out the gluten connection, I have no doubt the sensory problems would have continued to worsen. 

 

I hope the gluten-free diet helps your son, and that you get some sleep soon! Hang in there. 

[mall]

My daughter was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder around age 3, but she'd had sensory issues her whole life. She was very slow to lose her infant reflexes, and at one point a neurologist thought she might be having seizures or might have mild cerebral palsy. Her reflexes were over-active in many ways, but the extreme sound sensitivity was the worst. She'd start screaming at the sound of cooking food, paper bags, lawnmowers starting up two blocks away, etc. She had early intervention as an infant and then physical therapy again after her SPD diagnosis, but it only helped a little. She also had food problems since birth and it was very clear to me that everything was connected, but it took a long time to convince doctors of that.

 

We finally figured out she has celiac just after she turned 4. Within days of starting a gluten-free diet, both the digestive issues, the sensory issues, and her overall behavior had improved dramatically. It was like she'd had constant colic for the first four years of her life, and suddenly she was starting to feel better. The first few weeks were a bit rough (gluten withdrawal, I think), but it was clear right away that things were improving. She was not prone to constipation, though - it seems like that might take longer to improve. 

 

I'm trying to remember how long it took for her sensory issues to be near-normal...maybe three months or so? There was immediate improvement in the sound sensitivity, but it still took quite a while for her reactions to be anywhere near typical for a child her age. Now, seven months later, we're able to go to somewhat-noisy public places without her ear protectors (which had been the only thing stopping her from screaming at ordinary public noises before). She'll still only wear seamless leggings or soft sweatpants, but she rarely has meltdowns about itchy clothes nowadays. We stopped physical therapy because we'd obviously gotten to the root of the problem with her diet, and it just seems like a matter of time before the lingering sensory symptoms improve. It is clear to me that she really did meet the criteria for SPD before, but in my daughter's case it just seemed like a label for her symptoms and the diagnosis didn't really help us know what to do about it. If we hadn't figured out the gluten connection, I have no doubt the sensory problems would have continued to worsen. 

 

I hope the gluten-free diet helps your son, and that you get some sleep soon! Hang in there. 

My threeyear old has gluten and sensory processessing issues since birth also. Taking her off glutens has helped so much!

[WinterSong]

My 23 year old sister has SPD. I have Celiac and my mother is not officially diagnosed, but all her symptoms went away when mine did. My sister has been tested once for Celiac, but the results came back negative. We suspect it was a false negative because she wasn't eating much gluten at the time and has all of the same symptoms as my mother and I.

 

I wish that she would attempt a gluten-free diet despite not having a diagnosis, but the idea of going gluten-free is too overwhelming for her even when we've show her numerous articles about other people's success. She will continue to get tested every few years. I wish she would just try it. I sure she would be doing much better now if she were gluten-free 

[ArPlasma]

My son has sensory issues( loud noise , water on his face, itchiness of some clothing). We just started the gluten- free diet, so I can't really tell you much about it's impact yet.

I am really hoping not to see too much of gluten- withdrawal effects at this point.

[brileighlevi]

I am about to go gluten free at our house as we wait for final diagnosis on my oldest daughter. She has no sensory issues really but has celiac signs and that's why we did testing. My son has some sensory type issues though and always has. Nothing major enough for doctor concerns but definitely some small issues like certain clothes, foods/textures, overly sensitive to some sounds and a lot of smells, freak out moments about public places at times. My mother was concerned and questioned me about getting him seen for mild autism at one point but we haven't done this as I didn't think he his issues were "bad enough" for it. Seeing the mention of gluten free helping with this stuff I've let it slide but I'm hoping that going gluten-free will help him also.

[raea2002]

Brileighlevi, My son's sensory issues aren't completely awful, but they are wearing me down.  What made me really realize that he was having issues is when he started preschool.  He's having A TON of difficulty there.  Thankfully the school is being great with him.  I also had a baby 10 months ago and he doesn't understand how to be easy and gentle with his sister and he tends to hurt her unintentionally at times.  There is times I cannot leave them alone in the same room.  We have done the blood work but it came up negative for Celiac. Celiac disease runs in both of our families. Drs didn't even offer to scope him and personally I know that my husband wouldn't go for it.  We are trying the gluten free and so far things seem to be slowly improving maybe?????  Its only been a week and a half so its a little too early to tell.  Good luck to you on your journey.  

[brileighlevi]

I'm glad things have been improving for your son. My son hasn't had issues with his younger sister and his teacher isn't complaining about his behavior at school but she does have some over the top kids and says he isn't out of sorts compared to some of the others. The testing is part of why I've been stalling on going gluten-free yet. His older sister is awaiting results right now but if they diagnose her I wonder if I should go ahead and have the other two tested or not. I just don't know... the doctors are so slow and unconcerned at times I don't know if it's better to wait on professional help or just do what I think will help and forget about diagnosing I hope things continue to improve for your son. After a week and a half I'm sure it will get much better once more of the gluten is out of his system.