Taking away milk from non-autistic child with speech delay

[Anonymous]

It's amazing what differences food can make.

I was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance a few years ago. I had severe eczema, depression, severe headaches, kept getting sick, and was having problems with speech (tripping over words, etc). Once I went off the gluten I was a totally different person. It's amazing really.

And one pp said something about kids craving what they can't have....when I was a kid I was addicted to everything with wheat in it...especially bread and pasta (and I mean withdrawal symptoms when I didn't eat it).

I would say that if you have any concerns talk to a pediatrician or nutritionist/allergy specialist and also try an elimination diet. I wish that I was diagnosed as a kid...my life would of been so much healthier and better.

And for those going gluten free and worrying about bread--try Udi's bread! It's amazing!

[Anonymous]

i cut the milk from my 3.3 years old son diet, from 2 monthes now.
his concentrating alittle bit better, but i thought that if i cut the milk, miracle will happen...sadly not
few more words thats it ..can't complain, he is happy, active, lovely boy..just can't wait to go in aconversation with him.. :o

[Anonymous]

DS stopped milk cold turkey at 2.5 (he's 4.5 now). He was drinking so much milk, it was almost bankrupting us . In any event, he had chronic ear infections, which stopped completely when he eliminated milk. Interestingly, the pediatrician and ENT never mentioned the connection between milk and mucous production and ear infections. It was a nurse at the CVS minute clinic who first said something.

Speech becomes delayed due to chronic fluid in the ears. DS's speech therapist says that his issues are typical for kids with a history of ear infections.

We did calcium fortified OJ for a while, but DS wanted juice all the time, so we stopped it. Now DC has one box of coconut milk chocolate flavor every day for lunch. We supplemet with Bluebonnet calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3 liquid, available at Whole Foods.

We removed gluten much later, which helped with hyperactivity and stools.

We go to a DAN! dietician who prescribes supplements.

[Anonymous]

I am so glad that someone took the time to create this post, and that others have taken time to respond. There needs to be much greater awareness of food sensitivities and the epidemic of problems they are causing our children. Sadly, our traditionally trained medical doctors receive no training in this area. My DD has ASD and none of her therapists or MDs know anything about nutritional approaches. I finally got my DD to a DAN! It has made a huge positive impact.

[Anonymous]

Sadly, we are not seeing stories on this thread of the many children with speech issues who do not drink milk. Or whose parents took away milk and it made absolutely no difference for them. I'm not trying to dampen enthusiasm for this possibility. But it's hardly a magic wand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sadly, we are not seeing stories on this thread of the many children with speech issues who do not drink milk. Or whose parents took away milk and it made absolutely no difference for them. I'm not trying to dampen enthusiasm for this possibility. But it's hardly a magic wand.

Exactly. You won't take away milk, and then viola! Your child will start speaking like there was never any problem. You might take away milk, and the child with sensitivities to milk will feel better, and be more responsive.

[Anonymous]

I've been reading this thread with interest because I have a 3.5 y/o (not autistic child) with speech delay who LOVES milk and any type of dairy. He's the world's pickiest eater and yogurt is our go-to food that he will always consume. He's been tested for allergies (positive for peanut/tree nut, negative for milk). He has a eczema and a constantly runny nose. His allergist has told us she thinks he suffers from seasonal allergies that just aren't showing up on the test yet so we've been blaming his symptoms on that.

Meanwhile, our older child had severe constipation for years. After consulting with several different GI's we finally saw a nutritionist (Kelly Dorfman) who suggested a milk intolerance. After eliminating all milk products, the issue is resolved. I'm now feeling incredibly stupid for not wondering before reading this if a milk sensitivity is causing the younger child's issues as well.

[Anonymous]

My 19 month old daughter has MSPI but we are on a milk challenge for the last three weeks and overall she seems to be doing great. My primary concern right now is that at 9-11 months about she could say about 6 words or so. Now she says one. I know it is early but this fact seemed to concern the faces of both her pedi and her chiro. The pedi is concerned about early autism (but my daughter shows absolutely no other signs), the chiro thinks it may be the immunization shots, and research I have done seems to show that it is not uncommon for kids with feeding problems to be behind in their speech. What does everyone else think? What should I do?

[Anonymous]

My non autistic child with a speech delay stopped drinking milk on his own when he turned 4. At 5.5, he discovered strawberry milk, and started drinking it again.

It made no difference.

[Anonymous]

Switched my DD to coconut milk (she loves it) and she is showing some good progress. Lots more eye contact and affection and her chronic constipation is gone! No words yet, but with these early signs of progress, I feel inspired to keep going. I will be more rigorous with my CF approach ( no more yogurt either) and even plan to implement GF too!

[Anonymous]

I have been trying the GFCF diet as an exclusively breastfeeding mom with a child with speech delay. I haven't seen any improvement, and he continues to have digestive issues.

I will second the votes for coconut milk (at least for myself!). It tastes the best of all the milk alternatives, in my opinion. I expected it to be very strong flavored, but it's extremely mild. I also like almond milk. To me, hemp milk tastes awful, and I am avoiding soy.

I would also caution against giving too much soy to young kids because of the phytoestrogens (or whatever they are called). From my understanding, they are similar to BPA in the sense that they can cause chemical problems that can impede development. Fermented soy is supposed to be fine (soy sauce -- although make sure to get gluten free if you are on GFCF because the normal stuff has wheat in it), but unfermented (tofu, soy milk, etc.) is not so good.

[Anonymous]

Hi. My daughter is 6th are old. But still doesn't talk. Just makes sound. She is not autistic. She doesn't drink milk from 3rd old. But she drinks yogurts, pedicure. If I want to take off the milk from her diet, do I need to cut yogurts and pedicures. If so what what would be the substitute for those?
Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi. My daughter is 6th are old. But still doesn't talk. Just makes sound. She is not autistic. She doesn't drink milk from 3rd old. But she drinks yogurts, pedicure. If I want to take off the milk from her diet, do I need to cut yogurts and pedicures. If so what what would be the substitute for those?
Thank you.

Children still need calcium and there are non-dairy sources of calcium, e.g., oj with added calcium, broccoli, some beans, oranges, etc.

I'd talk with your doctor. (Also just so you know that there has been any clinical evidence that GFCF diets make a difference for children with special needs but I understand why parents try. Just don't make yourself crazy.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15:00 here. We took away all dairy (except eggs). There's no substitute for cheese, but you can substitute sorbet for ice cream with little difficulty. We eventually took away soy too, because most kids with milk allergy also react to soy.

It's a good suggestion to replace the fat and protein elsewhere in your child's diet. We give fish oil and cod liver oil (Carlson's or Nordic Naturals -- at WF and health food stores) and have meat or eggs with nearly every meal. Our DC is also allergic to egg whites, so we only give DC egg yolks.

Eggs are not dairy. I also can't imagine why anyone would need meat at almost every meal. Do you work with a nutritionist?

[Anonymous]

I asked our speech pathologist about this 5 years ago. She said there was no evidence that going off milk would help a child with expressive speech delays and no other issues (allergies, asd, etc.). At the time she did recommend the special diet for her patients with asd. I tried fish oil and saw no difference.