GFCF diet part deux

So - concerns on the diet are that Zach is receiving enough calcium and since he is picky about meat, enough protein. A consult with the doctor and the dietitian revealed that Zach requires 16 grams of protein a day. His milk substitutes alone likely cover this - and yes, several of them are complete proteins (soy and hemp milk particularly) As for calcium, his milk alternatives are almost all calcium fortified. Plus he eats broccoli (a terrific source of calcium that is one of the most absorbed forms) and we give him a calcium supplement for good measure. We also provide Zach with a multivitamin (that is GFCF and dye free) and fish oil (Omega 3) supplement, although in all likelihood, because he eats well in the veggie and fruit department, he doesn't require. We also eat some cereals - (YEAH for Chex Rice Cereal for taking the malt out!!) that are fortified too.

What is the issue with gluten and casein? From what I have read, the theory is that some individuals are incapable of completely metabolizing gluten and casein. These proteins end up permeating the intestine wall (a condition referred to as leaky gut) and entering the body after reformatting into peptides which have opiate-like effects. Opiates basically jack an individual up as if drugged. There is no conclusive research at this time as to the efficacy of the diet, however, a lot of parents ancedotally report its benefits ranging from reduction of autistic symptoms to near recovery.

What has it done for Zach? I will not make any judgements yet about this diet, but this is what we have noticed:
1) He quit puking the week we put him on the diet.
2) He began saying a few single words and phrases after nearly 8 weeks of nearly nothing.
3) His eye contact went from almost none, to much better.
4) He began some pointing again.
5) He began interacting with family members he knew again on a regular basis (no more retreating to a corner)
6) He began interacting with family members he didn't know as well and laughing, making some eye contact, and allowing them to touch and hold him.
7) He began interacting with his SLP for the first time ever.
8) He began letting others engage him in play, and played with toys more like intended and less lining them up.

These observations are ones that I made, Steve made, my card-carrying-Republican mother made, my brother made, my neice, who babysat for us and is Special Ed certified, made, and our SLP made. I only wish during all the nuttiness of this summer that I had videotaped Zach more. I am going to make a concerted effort to document him more on tape from now on. I advise anyone out there who suspects there children to have an ASD to do the same.

We are going to attempt to add some things back in to Zach's diet to see if they make a difference at some point. However, if we see no change, I still will not be convinced that the diet did not help. Why? Because perhaps getting him off the stuff for a bit gave him the alloted time to heal and now he can process gluten and casein. Just a guess. So in other words, we may never know for sure if this helped Zach. But it hasn't hurt him, and most likely has offered him a healthier diet - certainly better than the average American diet.