Day 1, Take 2

Here we are, starting over. I've decided to just go with eliminating what I suspect to be an issue. If that isn't enough we can also go from there. Not surprisingly, I got over excited and jumped in over my head, and now I need to take a few steps back.

Here's the list of suspected allergens:

Wheat
Dairy
Soy
Corn
Eggs
Bananas

Here's our list of symptoms:

Jonas (SPD/ASD):

Tantrums
Aggression*
Low Impulse Control*
Selective Mutism**
Belly Ache/Upset Stomach
Chest Pain
Headache
Dark Circles Under Eyes

Lavinia (NT):

Tantrums
Excessive Whining
Belly Ache/Upset Stomach
Headache
Dark Circles Under Eyes
Bed Wetting


*These are not necessarily direct reactions to the allergen. These are SPD/ASD traits that are magnified by him feeling out of whack or sick. These are really what I'm most concerned about and the most prevalent. Again, not that I want him to be not autistic, but I want desperately for him to be happy and healthy and comfortable and able to control himself (alright, and not a social outcast, which he will quickly become if he can't control himself). He's not happy when he's like this. In fact, he's scared and defensive.

**Obviously Selective Mutism is a condition all it's own that is not exactly what I'm talking about. And certainly not an allergic reaction. But, the worst I've ever seen this is about 30 minutes after eating a banana (and I'm certain that was the only thing different than every other day). He got extremely worked up about having to put his shoes on (a sensory issue made more intense, no doubt) and getting ready to go to the park (something he loves but he always has anxiety over leaving, or well, any transition but especially physical ones). He started getting physical and rough with me and it just escalated into something I'd never seen before. He looked terrified and it was like he was trapped in this out of control spiral of stimming and hitting and kicking. He seemed so angry but his faced look scared. He refused to speak at all, or even acknowledge me speaking to him (He often ignores what he doesn't want to hear, but this was different, he wouldn't even nod). I had to restrain him, which I absolutely despise doing. When I've done so in the past, however, he's been pretty vocal about wanting to calm down and that he wants me to help and it works pretty effectively and relatively quickly. This was not the case. It was about 45 minutes of restraining him before he began to calm down (ok, so I get that this is a normal or average time frame for restraining to take effect, but it'd never been the case before with him). I kept telling him I'd let him free if he wanted, he just had to tell me, or even nod. Nothing. Just grunting and thrashing.

That is exactly my point. He couldn't speak. It was so unlike him. He just shut himself off in a way I'd never seen and it really freaked me the hell out. Not learning my lesson he still had bananas here and there and eventually had a similar reaction. I got it that time, and I've been careful about them, but because it's not a universal reaction I'd doubt myself and give in.

I do think he exhibits traits of Selective Mutism, but not in the classic ways. I wonder, though, if he would in a school setting (the typical presentation for SM is a child who speaks at home but never in certain settings, usually school, due to stress and anxiety). Under pressure and stress he clearly "clams up".

I may not even go so far as to reintroduce bananas to Jonas because these experiences with them have been so bad that I don't ever, ever want to risk it. I'm happy to believe at this point that bananas are a no-no for him.

For Lavina, I don't know if she has allergies to anything. Those symptoms are really occasional things that may have nothing to do with food. I guess we'll find out, though.