Behavior and Celiac Disease

[MB]

Does anyone have any information on a connection between behavior usually associated with ADHD and Celiac disease? This has become a popular topic in our community. Basically, the parents of the kids with and without Ds,who have been diagnosed with celiac disease and taken off all gluten, are starting to see a change for the better in their children's behavior.

Anybody familiar with this?

Thanks!

MB

[Ashlea]

Hmmm... I have also heard this before but mostly for kids that are autistic which adhere to a gluten & casien free diet. Chandler has been gluten free for over 3 years and he is still as hyper as ever. I did notice that he is sick less and doesn't get those really red chapped cheeks anymore. Also, his constant runny nose cleared up, but unfortunately no miracle behavior changes good or bad. In fact, Chandler takes medication for ADHD everyday.

[christie]

Hmmmm can't say that is true here as Christopher does not have ADHD and/or Celiac disease but sadly still does have some behavior issues

I will add that THANKFULLY his behavior is getting much better but OMG some days YIKES

CC ~

[momofrussell]

I have heard about Gluten Free diets for Autistic children. My mom even has suggested it for Russell on a few occasions. If I took Gluten out of his diet... well, he'd starve to death LOLOL... Actually, I WOULD have to change all his foods to gluten free pastas and such (since that is ALL the boy eats) but I don't do it nor has any doc suggested I do it.

I did meet a mom in the grocery store that has her child on a gluten free diet just because.... some people think gluten free diets are better in general anyway.

A.

[PaigesMom]

Paige is a diagnosed Celiac and a diagnosed ADHD. She is on a strict gluten free diet and also takes Adderall 10XR daily. I have seen a difference in behavior on the GF diet - it has gotten worse, we were hoping for better. The theory is that since she feels better, she's more hyperactive and impulsive, and at the laugh of a very prominent Developmental Pediatrician at a well renound childrens hospital, she said I was obviously 'having a break' from her true behavior while she was not GF. The only alternative is to increase her meds, which I'm not planning to do at this moment.

I know ALOT of people on GF diets for children without ADHD and they believe behavior has gotten extremely better on the diet.

I really think the neurotransmitting problem with ADHD is a separate issue even for Celiacs.

Debbie

[PaigesMom]

I guess what I'm really saying is that when you have a diagnosis of ADHD and there is really a problem with the neurotransmitting then the GF diet is not likely to help, possibly make things worse (if a child is hyperactive when they feel bad) as when they feel better they may be more hyperactive.

In a Celiac who is not ADHD, there are behavorial issues directly related to the gluten allergy - minus the glutens in the diet, behavior gets better.

I hope I'm making sense. Again, this has only been my experience.

Debbie