Encouraging Results from GF Child

[MBombardier]

My youngest, Sierra, who is almost 13, went GF a couple of months ago after I got the results of my gene test and discovered that I have passed a GS or celiac gene down to each of my children. She has been very consistent with her diet.

I mentioned on another thread a couple of weeks ago that I had not realized that Sierra's acne had cleared up so amazingly until I happened to see a photo from late January. She still has pimples, but there is a great difference even in the texture and color of her skin.

Sierra is my butterfly child. God has a great sense of humor in that after three children who learn almost by osmosis and to whom accomplishment comes easily, that He would give me an artistically-gifted kinesthetic learner. Teaching her and keeping her on task has been a growing experience for me.

Well, in the last few weeks Sierra has been quite diligent in her school work, and recently my husband commented that she seemed more mature. This week we did the annual testing (CA Achievement Test) required by the state, and in the particular organization I use, the parents are allowed to grade the test themselves so that they can see where the child needs further instruction. Last year Sierra's total battery score was barely at grade level, and this year it was more than two grades above!! I am thrilled!!

Is this from going gluten free a couple of months ago? I don't know, but it backs up what I have read about what going GF can do for children. Needless to say, this is a huge relief, and we are celebrating!!

[sarkin]

Go Sierra!

That is fabulous, Marliss. I firmly believe that I had some flavor of undiagnosed, gluten-induced airheadedness. ADD? Maybe. I did well in school and behaved, so it only affected *me* (if I'd acted out, I bet the school would have been all over it). My brother - he turned out OK, but it took him more trouble to get there (and more acne, curiously).

So I am persuaded it's not only your awesome parenting and homeschooling, and her hard work, but also her diligence with diet as well as schoolwork. Having her skin clear up must be a secondary reward compared to the joy of learning. (OK, maybe not at 13!)

Congratulations to you both. For her to have been so focused with diet is very impressive at such a young age. I bet she's persuaded, too.

Doing a happy dance (along with your end-of-year giddy dance),

Sara

[Kari]

Wow Marliss - that's an absolutely wonderful, encouraging story. It wouldn't surprise me that gluten is a BIG part of the positive changes.

As you might remember from earlier posts, little Naty has an older sister and brother (9 and 7.5 respectively). When I found out about my genes, I first had my one and only son tested (39), and then the 3 grandchildren and DIL. When the results came back that they are all highly sensitive to gluten, the whole household went gluten free. I'm not sure how long it has been now, but they claim that everyone is feeling better in general. Both my son and my grandson have been plagued with severe airborne allergies over the years, and are both doing much better this spring - yeah!!!

In my book, gluten is nothing but trouble, and should be eliminated in everyone's diet!!! Yes, I know all the reasons why this is not possible, but I feel so fortunate that gluten related issues are hopefully being forestalled by my son and his family being proactive. As my DIL said - "there is nothing I wouldn't do to keep my family healthy".

I sincerely hope the positive changes that have happened with your youngest daughter continue, and that she takes the gluten free lifestyle to heart.

Love,
Kari

[Martha]

Dear Marliss,

Congratulations to Sierra on her scholastic achievements! That is fantastic.

And good for her for being so diligent about following a gluten-free diet. Pretty amazing for a 13-year-old. Feeling better and having your acne clear up is good motivation, it seems.

I know what you mean about having a child who learns differently from her siblings. My second son was so different from his older brother, who learned effortlessly and loved school. #2 would much rather have been out playing, hiking, fishing, swimming. He did okay in school, but it was harder for him, and a challenge for me as a teacher.

Do you have to do standardized testing every year, or just certain years?

[MBombardier]

Thank you, Ladies!!

Kari, I was wondering if your three grandchildren that you posted about earlier included little Naty. I love it that your son and DIL are being proactive. I hope that my DIL will take to heart what I have told her, and the food intolerances in her birth family, and do the same for my son and granddaughter.

[MBombardier]

Martha, sorry I missed your question--we apparently both posted at approximately the same time. We do standardized testing every year. That's all the state requires besides a Notice of Intent to Homeschool filed with the district every September. The certified teacher who administers the CAT is a good friend. She's been testing Sierra for the last six years and was delighted along with me in her good test results.

My two girls will be with me when I come to Dallas in July or early August. If we can get together, you may meet them if I can tear them away from their niece, which is unlikely. I will PM you when I know more.