It is estimated that one in 100 children in America are born with one of the various forms of Autism. So many, in fact, that public health officials have declared it a national health emergency. While intense treatments and specialized schools are expensive and difficult to get into, the government is now requiring public schools to offer educational options for Autistic students. Continue reading “Autism and Schools”
Autism is a mental disorder facing about one in every 100 American children. The causes of Autism are still unknown and very little is understood about the disorder as a whole but in the last five years, scientists have been able to identify the early signs in toddlers. Various forms of Autism can now be identified from the womb but the other symptoms are definitive before the child reaches three years of age.
While there is no one cause for Autism, some specialists believe that a diet high in nutrients can help to increase brain function in Autistic children to ensure a greater chance of normal development.
What is a Raw Food Diet?
The Raw Food Diet was created around the fact that the longer food is cooked, the more of its nutrients it loses. Therefore raw food is not cooked above 116 degrees Fahrenheit to keep it at its peak. People who follow the Raw Diet are often known as Vegans meaning that their diet is free of meat, dairy and eggs.
Prenatal doctors are starting to recommend that mothers-to-be change their diet to be 75% Raw. A complete overhaul of a personal diet is never a safe move but setting up a diet plan with a doctor is one step specialists are taking to help reduce a child’s risk of Autism after birth. By increasing the amount of vitamins and minerals in a mother’s food intake while reducing the amount of toxins and preservatives in the prenatal stages can help to increase the fetus’s brain functions.
What Benefits Does a Raw Food Diet Provide to Children with Autism?
Even after birth, doctors recommend keeping the child on a 75% Raw diet. As a child, it is important to increase the child’s nutrient intake and the enzymes found in raw foods help to increase digestion to increase vitamin absorption in the body.
Vitamins such as Vitamin E and B3 are found in most greens and increase blood circulation to the brain. The Raw Diet also reduces the intake of refined sugars and flours which can aggravate symptoms of Autism in most children.
What Risks are Involved in Changing to the Raw Diet?
The Raw Diet is not a change that can be made in one day. It takes research and careful planning with the aid of a healthcare professional, especially for expecting mothers and young children. The diet needs to be based around whole grains and legumes that will provide the nutrients and protein needed to replace meats and dairy. Vitamin B12, the most essential vitamin to the human body, is difficult to find in a Raw diet so it is important that it is safely supplemented.
Switching to a Raw diet, even a 75% Raw diet, takes time and effort but studies have shown that it is well worth it in the fight against Autism.
Other Sources on Raw Food Diet:
Part of our efforts to raise awareness during the month of April included two spots on WNDU’s Moms Everday. Take a moment and listen to what Lisa DelPrete (LAC Family Outreach Coordinator) and Sandy Maggioli (co-founder) had to say about the importance of early intervention and signs and symptoms of autism.
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Few parents would argue that taking your child out to eat can be a challenging experience. When your child has autism that challenge is often magnified tenfold, the dirty looks from other patrons, the misinterpretation of behaviors, snide remarks about how you should better “control” your child.
It would be great if other people would demonstrate kindness and understanding. The fact is that you can’t control the reactions of others. That doesn’t mean you can’t take your child out to eat. Here are a few tips that you can use to make eating out a more enjoyable experience for your child and your family. Continue reading “Going Out to Eat with a Child who has Autism: Preparation”
