Has anyone noticed that after your child has been on a diet for a while, a huge increase in ease of speaking or a language "explosion," where your child rapidly increased his/her language skills?
The first six months my son was on the diet I noticed a slight increase in language skills, however, not enough to be too excited about. He is also 6 years old.
I had to really work with him--through manding, having him echo me, "practicing" his conversation skills, etc., for his language to really start increasing. Now, I think his language is improving at a fair rate, although it is still a lot of work.
I feel the diet helps to keep him clear and calm so that he is more likely to learn and remember what he has learned, however, he still requires about 40 hours of therapy per week, and needs to be engaged verbally all of the time.
I would like to hear other people's experiences with the diet and how their children progressed language-wise. Does everyone notice more of an increase in language with very young children who start a diet versus older children?
Jessica Clark
Diet and Language
I have two children with developmental disabilities; a 14 year old w/aspergers and a 12 year old w/classic autism. Both have language issues; just on opposite ends of the spectrum. I can tell if Ian, with autism, has eaten something he shouldn't have and one way is observing his language.
Gluten can act like a glue or a 'gunk', if you will, that sticks to neurons. That is not a very scientific explanation but it works (!). When we removed gluten, the second time around, it took months but the language came and, when it did, it came quick (at least for us).
I was commenting the other day on how much more Ian is talking - and I'm referring to spontaneous social communication; simple conversation.
Now, when he eats chocolate or binges on pizza, I notice language 'behaviors'. He'll begin to laugh non-stop, but it isn't his normal laugh - it is short, repetitive, high-pitched, and odd. He'll start to make animal sounds- squeaking and alike. It might not sound too bad, but trust me on this one- it is a very difficult time when he is like this.
I also know that sensory input has a lot to do with language - there are so many things that can help and the final combination seems to vary for everyone. Diet seems to be one intervention that, once the right regimen is found, prompts language development.
Thanks for bringing up the topic. On a side note: I have a girlfriend, with a teen daughter who has epilepsy and autism - after her seizures she is 'wiped out'. She doesn't have advanced communication skills (verbal), and I'm wondering what the implications of seizures are on language development; do you know?
Amber Kane
Seizures and Language Development
Hi Jessica and Amber,
An interesting topic for discussion and I think every situation will be unique. When Adam was having constant seizures, he stopped talking the way he did previously - he could not seem to get his thoughts straight and communication was a real problem.
I think in our case, there were two contributing factors:
Thankfully, once we went through neurotherapy, that all changed. There are still some common sense issues as his brain was damaged, but the speech came back perfectly. He talks a mile a minute and loves to have conversations. I am very thankful for these treatments as they seemed to really improve his ability to learn and renewed his communication.
Warmly,
Arlene Martell (Mom of Adam above)
Publisher, EpilepsyMoms.com