Moving Mountains ... One Mole Hill at a Time

I have learned that with everything in life, you make your biggest accomplishments one tiny little baby step at a time.  And I have learned that with AUTISM this is true ... times 10!!  All that we have accomplished over the past three years has taken S - L - O - W and steady progress.  Never quitting, never giving up, never saying "I can't."  With that said, I have an update on our Gluten Free World.

We have been transitioning to a gluten free diet for Tanner over the past 2 weeks and Tanner has embraced his new diet with a smile on his face.  We were honest and explained what we were doing and why we were doing it.  He is now willing to try new gluten free foods in place of his old foods.  He will eat gluten free waffles, rice flour tortillas, and gluten free bread.  He is even staying away from gluten foods at school!  He asked to eat something "gluteny" earlier tonight and I said, "No, that has gluten in it."  He responded with a stuck out tongue and a "Yuck!  Gluten makes me feel icky!"

The positive effects we have seen are that he has not thrown up in over two weeks, seems to feel better, and in turn is much, much happier!  When you are happy, do you have meltdowns?  NO!  And neither does Tanner nearly as much as he used to!!  He accepts being told no much better, he accepts new options easier, and just seems to be more accepting of everything in his world now. 

If you have been apprehensive about trying a gluten free diet for your autistic child, or any child for that matter, I strongly encourage that you give it a try.  It's not as difficult as you may think, and the results might surprise you.  I have had the support of some very knowledgeable people (Brigette and Kelly) and that makes it even easier.  To be able to go to someone who is experiencing the same thing or has information that is useful to you is wonderful!

We will continue moving mountains ... one mole hill at a time!!