Behavior Changes With Dairy Intolerance?

[Nic]

Hi, my son is both Celiac and dairy intolerant but my friend has a 5 year old who was just diagnosed with dairy intolerance. With my own son I would notice hyper activity when glutened or sick from milk but my friends son seems to have brain fog. The teachers complain that he is unmotivated and "doesn't seem to want to be here" and is in "a world of his own never knowing what is going on". They recommended retention for him but I was wondering if school problems could come from a dairy intolerance as they can come from gluten. He was just put on the dairy free diet now.

Nicole

[shayesmom]

Hi, my son is both Celiac and dairy intolerant but my friend has a 5 year old who was just diagnosed with dairy intolerance. With my own son I would notice hyper activity when glutened or sick from milk but my friends son seems to have brain fog. The teachers complain that he is unmotivated and "doesn't seem to want to be here" and is in "a world of his own never knowing what is going on". They recommended retention for him but I was wondering if school problems could come from a dairy intolerance as they can come from gluten. He was just put on the dairy free diet now.

Nicole

My dd also has dairy intolerance and reacts with hyperactive behavior and inability to concentrate. But I would guess that the symptoms of brain fog are entirely possible as well. Food intolerances can manifest in many different ways as we all know.

Nutrition status may also be a factor in this reaction. I have found it quite surprising just how much nutrient-poor and even neurotoxic food is offered up by the school systems. And I've witnessed the behavioral problems in my friend's son go from one extreme to the next. Last year, he was expelled from one school for violent and unmanagable behavior (which he had NEVER displayed before...and he's only 6). The episodes ALWAYS occurred after lunch. His parents switched him to a new school and there was never a problem again.

In any case, I'd think it fair to say that dairy intolerance could manifest in brain fog.....but I'd be wondering if celiac is going to rear its ugly head.

[SunnyDyRain]

My dd also has dairy intolerance and reacts with hyperactive behavior and inability to concentrate. But I would guess that the symptoms of brain fog are entirely possible as well. Food intolerances can manifest in many different ways as we all know.

Nutrition status may also be a factor in this reaction. I have found it quite surprising just how much nutrient-poor and even neurotoxic food is offered up by the school systems. And I've witnessed the behavioral problems in my friend's son go from one extreme to the next. Last year, he was expelled from one school for violent and unmanagable behavior (which he had NEVER displayed before...and he's only 6). The episodes ALWAYS occurred after lunch. His parents switched him to a new school and there was never a problem again.

In any case, I'd think it fair to say that dairy intolerance could manifest in brain fog.....but I'd be wondering if celiac is going to rear its ugly head.

I have heard that a Gluten-free Casein-free diet helps autisic children come out of thier shell, so I wonder if it could be causing minor smiliar effects.

[Juliebove]

They thought my daughter had ADD. She was labeled as slow to learn. She had brain fogs. Couldn't listen or concentrate. At times she would say things like... "I wish God didn't maked me", or "I don't feel like myself", even at age 4 and 5. I had a tough time getting her to school every day. She always had to run back to the bathroom. I thought it was stress. I couldn't figure it out. Now I know that pretty much every morning she was being made sick by her breakfast.

They diagnosed her with allergies to wheat, gluten, soy, eggs, dairy, peanuts and bananas. She was put in Special Ed and began doing better. Testing showed that she was very bright. But she just couldn't seem to listen or catch on to anything and she seemed to have no motivation whatever. She even asked to be put back a grade but they just don't do that at her school.

She was diagnosed with the allergies at the end of 1st grade. Was put in Special Ed partway through 2nd grade and remained there for all of 3rd grade. She's now going into the 4th grade and will no longer be in Special Ed.

Do I think the food allergies are to blame? Yes I do! Each food seems to cause a different reaction in her. Dairy not only makes her sick to her stomach, but gives her respiratory infections and a brain fog. And all it takes is a speck of something.

[Nic]

They thought my daughter had ADD. She was labeled as slow to learn. She had brain fogs. Couldn't listen or concentrate. At times she would say things like... "I wish God didn't maked me", or "I don't feel like myself", even at age 4 and 5. I had a tough time getting her to school every day. She always had to run back to the bathroom. I thought it was stress. I couldn't figure it out. Now I know that pretty much every morning she was being made sick by her breakfast.

They diagnosed her with allergies to wheat, gluten, soy, eggs, dairy, peanuts and bananas. She was put in Special Ed and began doing better. Testing showed that she was very bright. But she just couldn't seem to listen or catch on to anything and she seemed to have no motivation whatever. She even asked to be put back a grade but they just don't do that at her school.

She was diagnosed with the allergies at the end of 1st grade. Was put in Special Ed partway through 2nd grade and remained there for all of 3rd grade. She's now going into the 4th grade and will no longer be in Special Ed.

Do I think the food allergies are to blame? Yes I do! Each food seems to cause a different reaction in her. Dairy not only makes her sick to her stomach, but gives her respiratory infections and a brain fog. And all it takes is a speck of something.

Thanks, this sounds just like this little boy. He was actually evaluated by the child study team this past school year in kindergarten and his mom was told either let us classify him or we will recommend retention. This was in a Catholic school but he will be going to public school for 1st grade. After going through all I have with my own son I have been trying to explain to his mom that food allergies can cause serious problems.

Nicole

[johalex]

I certainly think that behavior from dairy intolerances can manifest themselves in many different ways. I would certainly check it out if I were in your friend's shoes.

My son had such serious behavior issues at ages 4-5 that I had him evaluated by a Psychiatrist. I definitely had adhd concerns along with Aspergers. There was even speculation that it might be early-onset bipolar disorder, which runs in my family.

Now at age 8 he shows no behavior issues whatsoever and has been gluten-free and dairy-free for 2 years. They disappeared completely and he is a model student (his teacher's words).

I think that food issues cause more behavioral issues than we ever consider and it is sad to think that we could deal with them if we just knew what the cause was.