As our entire family spends some time this summer in Montauk Point, New York enjoying time with our 100 year old mother, grandmother and great grandmother my early morning stroll by myself on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches listening to the calming sounds of the waves crash along the beach brought me back in time several years ago when confronted by my sister and sister-in-law here in Montauk that my precious darling little girl Kaitlyn had autism!

My first response was anger towards my sister and sister-in-law. My perfectly quiet two and a half year old little girl, who bothered no one, was simply an angel who was a late bloomer. At the time she only spoke two words, kept to herself, and was nothing like any of the other children around her, but their suggestion to me still seemed preposterous!

It was only after we taken Kaitlyn to a Developmental Pedestrian did our world change forever with a devastating diagnosis of PDD (Persistent Developmental Disorder),a developmental disability on the autism spectrum.

From that point forward my wife and then I went into battle mode refusing to allow our baby to be forever lost in the abyss of autism and would take unorthodox measures to combat the staggering odds she would ever live a full and meaningful life.

The first step we took was to implement a Gluten and Casein (dairy) free diet (GFCF) using food as treatment for her Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Changing a diet transformed her life as well as ours. Although there is no scientific proof as to why and/or if this measure truly is effective, I bear witness that in my daughter’s case it was a game changer!

We also took conventional methods seeking early intervention services and implementing an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) regiment. “Behavior analysis was originally described by B.F. Skinner in the 1930′s. You may have learned about Skinner and “operant conditioning” when you studied science in school. The principles and methods of behavior analysis have been applied effectively in many circumstances to develop a wide range of skills in learners with and without disabilities.”

http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/applied-behavior-analysis-aba"><span style="color:windowtext">http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/applied-behavior-analysis-aba</span></a></span></p>

Kaitlyn is now eight years old, entering third grade in a fully integrated classroom where she once had no friends, and is now just an ordinary yet very special child with tons of friends, who still receives special education services but is well on her way to a life fully prepared for inclusion despite her devastating diagnosis.

Below is a link to learn the early signs of autism. A key factor in confronting autism is without a doubt early intervention. As for the diet, my position is “what does someone have to lose?”

http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/learn-signs"><span style="color:windowtext">http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/learn-signs</span></a></span></p>

The fear and the great unknown about my daughter’s future afflicted with autism does keep me up at night, but my resolve to do whatever we can to provide her the best chance at a fulfilled life is a parental instinct much stronger then fear itself.

Attached below a link to her story written up in a magazine regarding the (GFCF) diet we implemented.