Adhd And Behavior Issues Improved By Reducing Gluten?

[Georgia-guy]

random question: I had someone tell me that they cut back on gluten in their daughter's diet because it's apparently linked to ADHD...I've found reports that show this, but I am not getting a clear understanding of whether the gluten is the cause or it is a direct "symptom" of celiac? Anyone have any clear information on that? I would really like to know. The child is 6 years old, avg height, but really skinny (and will down some snacks like she's gasping for air, but definitely not starved, just eats a lot), and the mom is maybe mid-late 20's and short and skinny (makes me think maybe stunted growth). During VBS the girl had some gluten containing snacks and then said she was tired (fatigue maybe?). I haven't broached the topic of "maybe it's celaic" yet, I want a bit more research on children's presentation first. I have been told cutting back gluten improved the child's behavioral and attention issues though.

[beth01]

I don't know about kids, but I have always had a small case of ADHD.  It seems the last few months have been a lot worse for me.  My attention span is about.......I had this really great meal..... I have to go to the store.  You get the drift.  I don't know if I am going through some major with drawls or something.  It's frustrating.  I wish mine would settle being off gluten. 

[Cara in Boston]

In reading about the gluten free diet for me and my youngest son (both diagnosed with Celiac) there does seem to be a link to ADHD and Autism . . . but the best results come from implementing a gluten-free and Casein Free combination.  I got the impression from several books that just gluten free alone is not what has been shown to produce positive behavior results.

 

In the case of a kid with a gluten sensitivity or celiac . . . behavior is a major symptom.  My son's only symptom before diagnosis was an extreme change in behavior.  Tantrums, easily frustrated, irrational behavior.  He could not complete a 15 minute homework assignment without completely falling apart.    He also had lots of spectrum-like behaviors (no eye contact, hand flapping, overly sensitive to irritants, etc.)  When he went gluten free, all of these "habits" were greatly reduced.  

 

Two years later, he was diagnosed with Aspergers (High Functioning Autism) but I feel like his odd behaviors are much more exaggerated when he doesn't feel well or when he has been accidentally glutened.

 

He went to a summer camp this year specifically for kids with Aspergers and so many kids were gluten free that all their cooking projects were gluten-free and the overnight campout had plenty of gluten-free options.  During the school year, he is one of two kids who are gluten free in his 800 student public school.