Changes In Behavior

[chasing4]

We just changed DD's diet two weeks ago. Even though she could be very irritable at home, she was always well behaved at school other than having a hard time with concentration. Last week, we got a note home from school saying she didn't want to line up after recess. That was the first time we got a note home from school and it really surprised us. We talked to her about it and thought it was corrected. Today, she bought home another note saying she was being silly and didn't want to listen to her teacher. Her teacher even commented on how it was "very unlike her usual behavior".

Even though she has a hard time listening at home, she never had this problem at school. I was wondering if cutting out the gluten could change behavior like this? Or if she could just be going through a phase?

But, on the plus side, she has not been as irritable as she was before.

[wolfie]

DS's behavior improved almost immediately on the gluten-free diet. I imagine that as your DD's body is going through changes on a new diet that she could experience the behavior changes. It is a good sign that she hasn't been as irritable.

[Lizz7711]

Probably some withdrawal issues which should go away soon. Or maybe she's feeling better physically, more "chipper" and so less wanting to reign herself in. How old is she?

I'm sure she'll settle down soon...i'd keep a food diary if you can though...then you can make associations in case there are any other foods causing problems.

Liz

  chasing4 said:

We just changed DD's diet two weeks ago. Even though she could be very irritable at home, she was always well behaved at school other than having a hard time with concentration. Last week, we got a note home from school saying she didn't want to line up after recess. That was the first time we got a note home from school and it really surprised us. We talked to her about it and thought it was corrected. Today, she bought home another note saying she was being silly and didn't want to listen to her teacher. Her teacher even commented on how it was "very unlike her usual behavior".

Even though she has a hard time listening at home, she never had this problem at school. I was wondering if cutting out the gluten could change behavior like this? Or if she could just be going through a phase?

But, on the plus side, she has not been as irritable as she was before.

[chasing4]

  Lizz7711 said:

Probably some withdrawal issues which should go away soon. Or maybe she's feeling better physically, more "chipper" and so less wanting to reign herself in. How old is she?

I'm sure she'll settle down soon...i'd keep a food diary if you can though...then you can make associations in case there are any other foods causing problems.

Liz

Ooh, now that you say that, maybe it is because she's feeling better. She is so much happier lately than she was a few weeks ago when her stomach was hurting her all the time. She will be 6 next month.

Thanks for the idea on the food diary. I'll get that started right away.

[gfpaperdoll]

I second the opinon re feeling better - that was probably the first time that she had ever felt like being at recess - instead of sitting at her desk!!!!

You might talk to her about how she is feeling, she might not be aware of it on a conscious level. You might also need to explain that she should feel happy & bubbly & have lots of energy all the time - & that she will progressively get better...

[chasing4]

Thank you all so much! It's a wonderful feeling to know that she's feeling better and actually seeing how much more happy she is.

[chasing4]

I do have to admit that I let her have a treat today. One of her friends at school had a birthday, so I let her have a cupcake for a school snack. Oh my! What a difference today was. She came home irritable and when I asked her to work on her homework, all she wanted to say was "I can't do it" or "I don't know how to". I did eventually get her to do her homework, but it took a lot of talking to her to do it. Thankfully, she hasn't complained about a stomach ache. It's amazing what a little cupcake can do.

[chasing4]

Well, today she was back to being happy and easy to deal with. YAY!

And I'm so proud of her! Somedays I let her have hot lunch at school, but I work with the school on what she can have and what she can't. For dessert today, they were supposed to have strawberry shortcake, but I told the school that she can only have the strawberries. Of course, the school did what I asked, but one of her friends noticed she didn't have any cake and asked her if she wanted some of theirs. She turned them down and said she is not supposed to have cake. I am so proud!

[Lizz7711]

That's great that she's taking ownership of what she can and can't eat

I know you just started the diet so you're in transition...but if you really want to go gluten free she can't have school lunches at all. Wheat is in so many ingredients, sauces etc, that there is no way to avoid it even if she sticks to meat and veggies...and the cross contamination issue is huge. It was a major stress to me when I realized I had to make her lunches everyday...but now it's been 4 months and i'm used to it and it really isn't so bad.

good luck!

Liz

  chasing4 said:

Well, today she was back to being happy and easy to deal with. YAY!

And I'm so proud of her! Somedays I let her have hot lunch at school, but I work with the school on what she can have and what she can't. For dessert today, they were supposed to have strawberry shortcake, but I told the school that she can only have the strawberries. Of course, the school did what I asked, but one of her friends noticed she didn't have any cake and asked her if she wanted some of theirs. She turned them down and said she is not supposed to have cake. I am so proud!

[chasing4]

Oh, I never even thought about the cross contamination and I keep forgetting about the hidden gluten in products. Thank you so much for letting me know.