Autism and the Gluten Free Diet
This course will provide basic information, methodology and tips on implementing a gluten free diet as a treatment modality for autism spectrum and related disorders. The purpose of the workshop is to encourage parents who are uneasy about going gluten free by supplying them with information on alternative flours and on cooking delicious gluten free kid friendly meals that will please even picky eaters. You will learn how to implement the diet and read labels for gluten and gluten derivatives. Setting up a gluten free kitchen will also be discussed along with how to avoid cross-contamination in food preparation.
Objectives:
- To outline research on why gluten can be a problem for some children with autism spectrum disorders.
- To discuss what gluten is, why it is used and what foods and common everyday items that contain gluten or gluten derivatives.
- To show how to transition to the GF diet, how to read dietary labels and substitute baking ingredients, store bought items and other tasty treats that will satisfy your child.
- To discuss the negatives of the diet, infraction reactions and how to help your child recover quickly from gluten ingestion should they get gluten while on the diet.
- To show the ease of gluten free preparation from store bought gluten free items to clever ideas for making kid friendly favorites, such as chicken nuggets, fries, pizza, chocolate chip cookies and even gold fish crackers.
- To share tips and tricks on the diet. You will learn how to eat out on the diet, how to avoid infractions, and how to organize a gluten free kitchen to plan meals with ease.
Activities:
- The seminar will be conducted to offer open discussion among participants – with a question and answer session at the end.
- A power point demonstration will be shown to outline materials and give instruction on the gluten free lifestyle.
- Handouts will be given along with a hand-out of the best kid friendly gluten free recipes.
Presenter:
Tracey McKoy attended Warner Southern in Lake Wales and studied communications, before marrying and moving to Tampa, Florida in 1989 where she worked as a medical office manager. Moving back to the Polk county area in 1994, she continued working in the medical field as a claims representative for Bond Clinic and has been working as a medical secretary for Nature’s Place Therapy since 2003. She is a mother of 3, two girls ages 12 and 10 and a son, age 9. Her son Nathan was diagnosed with PDD at age 2 and was formerly diagnosed with autism at age 4. Since his diagnosis she has been on a quest for information on the best treatments for autism. Her interest in natural health and nutrition led her to study and research the biomedical treatment of autism which encourages diet therapy. In 2003 she began the gluten free diet as a treatment for Nathan and has experienced positive results in his behavior and function. She continues to study the diet and encourage other parents to discover the potential benefits of a gluten free lifestyle for their autistic children. Her knowledge has come through experience and research in a gluten free kitchen. Her desire is to share what she has learned with others who may find benefit for their children from diet therapy.
Workshop Schedule:
| 8:30 - 9:00AM | Check-in |
| 9:00 – 10:00AM | Introduction to the gluten free lifestyle |
| 10:00 – 12:00PM | How to implement the GF diet successfully. |
| 12:00 - 12:30PM | Brown bag lunch offered |
| 12:30 – 1:30PM | Setting up a gluten free kitchen, shopping and reading labels. |
| 1:30 - 2:30PM | The best gluten free grains, resources to look for, tasty recipes with a cooking demonstration and taste testing |
| 3:00 – 4:00PM | Tips and tricks to save money on the gluten free diet. Question and answers with open discussion among participants. |
* Breaks will be decided as needed by participants.
Workshop Location and Fees
This workshop will be held at Nature’s Place Therapy & Learning Center. The workshop is limited to 10 participants to allow for greater informality and direct discussions. The workshop fee is $120.00. A 20% discount will be honored for Triangle of Ability members. Cancellations will be accepted 7 days prior to the start date for a full refund. Thereafter, the fee is forfeited and WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.