Making Nutritional Changes

Transcription

1 Making Nutritional Changes When your Plate is FULL! I am not a physician This information is not to be taken as medical advice. I support families in a post adoption support program in Minnesota and I am an adoptive parent who has used the GFCF diet as a nutritional intervention with two children who have FASD. I firmly believe that families like mine have too many should try s already. This information is simply that information so that families can make their own decisions when and if it is right for them. ~Kari Fletcher GFCF GAPS Paleo SCD Feingold Whole Foods Oppositional behaviors, aggression, perseveration, rigid thinking, attention deficits, impulsivity, mood lability, regression, dysregulation, anxiety Nutrition, Sleep, Environment, Exercise, Trauma, FASD, Genetics, Viruses, Medications Kari Fletcher karifletcher@nacac.org 1

2 Child A Child B pfas Celiac in immediate paternal side Respiratory infections / asthma PANDAS / PANS (age 8) Chronic constipation, stomach aches, reflux SPD Seizure Sleep problems Skin rashes Primary enuresis Low blood platelet count (easy bruising) ARND Chronic strep infections PANDAS / PANS (age 6) Severe raging, perseveration, rigid thinking Chronic constipation SPD- extremely self limited diet Sleep problems Dark circles under eyes (allergic shiners) Sensory processing disorder FASD is more than just brain damage FASD is more than just brain damage. We sometimes forget that prenatal alcohol exposure has damaged not only our children s brains, but their digestive tracts as well. - Diane Black, Ph.D., biochemical researcher, chair of the European FASD Alliance, adoptive parent of three children with FASD Kari Fletcher karifletcher@nacac.org 2

3 FASD & the immune system Data from studies involving children with FAS (Johnson et al.1981) and experimental evidence from animal models of FAS (Weinberg and Jerrells 1991) have demonstrated a clear link between immune system abnormalities and prenatal exposure to alcohol. Pamela K Giberson Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Functioning of the Immune System. Alcohol Health & Research World PANDAS / PANS PANDAS - Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections PANS- Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Overnight onset of symptoms- OCD, perseveration, regression, anxiety, motor or vocal tics, aggression- following strep infection (PANDAS) or other viral or bacterial infection (Lyme, mycoplasma, influenza, Coxsackie virus) - National Institute of Mental Health, Pediatrics & Developmental Neuroscience Branch Special considerations for adoptive families Where are you in the attachment process? Is your child practicing food related survival skills? (stealing, hoarding, gorging) Are there strong control issues? Was food used as a punishment or for comfort? International adoption: Malnutrition Parasites Orphanage diet / cultural differences Kari Fletcher karifletcher@nacac.org 3

4 Trauma / FASD informed approach Patterned- regular meal times, traditions Repetitive- adapted favorites into the new way of eating (tacos, pizza), gradually added newer foods and repeated until accepted Relationship based- team effort! Meet Lara Feeding was absolutely essential to attachment. Feeding is unique because it provides daily opportunities for completing the attachment cycle, where the parent meets the child s needs. We follow the advice that bonding activities ideally should have a sensory piece and be repetitive, pattern-based, and relationship building. What better meets those criteria than feeding your kids- with the smells colors, tastes, and routine of meals and snacks? Positive focus, team approach! Positive approach- focus on what we CAN eat! Entire family eats supportively at home Be patient, introduce foods that are similar to those your child enjoys Kari Fletcher karifletcher@nacac.org 4

5 Blog your adventures! Involve the kids! Pizza without cheese? Fold it over! Kari Fletcher 5

6 Making salsa with friends Some of our favorite meals Kari Fletcher 6