I have a reviews blog on which I am little-by-little discussing some of the Feingold Diet related products that I use for my family.

Please visit the category page for more information (and check back occasionally - or subscribe to the feed - to see if new posts are up.)

I know that some people think Feingold is just a big sham. Those same people may doubt GF/CF (gluten-free / casein-free) or the whole vaccine debate. BUT, here is the deal: I strongly believe that there are different causes, and thus different ways of managing the conditions which cause spectrum-like behavior.

I don't view this as an "us" against "them." I think there is room to recognize the many different environmental and genetic factors involved.

This means that there are some kids who are diagnosed with autism, but who can have a great improvement: less impulsivity, greater verbal skills, better coping ability if they alter diet or pay attention to other environmental factors.

BUT.

This means there are some kids diagnosed with autism who will not show improvement. The causes of their particular symptoms (be it sensory in nature, relating to body control, etc) might not be affected by exterior stimuli, although I'd like to believe that eating more healthfully would be a benefit for anyone, regardless of their neurological status.

My parents put me on the Feingold Diet when I was five. They saw a huge improvement in my ability to focus and stay-still. Thus, I used it for my own son when he turned two and was asked to leave his preschool because of impulsive behavior.

He was later diagnosed with pdd-nos, but we've since gone through a whole series of changes in his environment such that he is doing quite well. He enters second grade this fall and is currently on a local soccer club's team, plus enjoys golf, both activities done in the "neurotypical" realm without any special accomodation.

More of our story is at the Karianna Spectrum...

Looking for my thoughts on the vaccine debate? Here is a list of posts from my blog relating to the topic.