Nature Boy

When Elliot was born I dreamed he'd grow into an artsy nature loving boy, and we'd spend our days crafting and gardening.  What emerged instead was a boy with your typical vehicle obsessions, most specifically of the fire truck variety.  He squealed when I even came near him with the tree hugging shirt I bought him, favoring "fire department" instead.  Not exactly what I had in mind, but he embraced his obsession for over two years. 

For little kids, such obsessions can be signs of sensory issues (yep), or of giftedness (don't know), and I'm sure in some kids they are indicative of nothing.  In the past few months since we have been pinpointing food intolerances in Elliot's diet and treating them with a combination of enzyme supplements and removal, his interest in fire trucks is all but gone.  And instead he loves space and rockets and Notre Dame football and golden retrievers and daffodils and butterflies. And he swings and climbs jungle gyms and bounces in those giant bouncy things and goes into Smalland at Ikea, and uses scissors and crayons all day long.  Oh, and he'll happily wear that tree hugger shirt.  Each activity is met with amazement-- "Mommy, I'm not afraid any more."

We've seen quite a change in our boy.  We have OT on hold until we see what is left to be treated after dietary intervention.  We aren't free of issues, that's for sure, but he's adjusting to his new view of the world.  And in a crazy twist of fate, through all of this we may have discovered that I am a Celiac, probably have been my whole life, but I exhibit very few "classic symptoms," and the symptoms I've had since childhood I thought were "just me." (What, you're fingers aren't numb?)  I've been waiting to mention it here until the testing is complete, but it looks like it may be a few more weeks.  So now we are gluten free.

I used to joke that I would forever hold it over Elliot's head that I had to limit my diet so much in order to nurse him.  Turns out it may have been the other way around, he may have been bringing me health through our dietary elimination.  Maybe I didn't get a Nature Boy, but I surely got just what I needed.

Comments

[Mama Urchin]

That is the sweetest thing that he's not scared anymore. I'm thinking of you guys often as you figure all this out.

[amy]

This is all sounding really good. I am glad the parts are all coming together now. He looks like he is blossoming!!! I know my son is a changeling right now- dropping some fears too. I hope you all have a fantastic summer!!!!!

[paloma]

It is amazing how our children make us better persons in every way. I have a very special person a home who is cow protein intolerant. I did not realized I was just like she is. We changed our diet and now she is a very happy child: able to concentrate for longer periods of time, and in a good mood must of the time.
It takes time to figure things out and I know good moms like you never stop thinking what else can be done to make then happy and healthy.

[Melissa]

my little boy would have loved spending a day like that.

[Sarah]

Figuring out those little tummies can be so difficult. After a (in my opinion mis-)diagnosis of autism, along with some skin issues, we went gluten/caesin free trying to help Violet out. After a few eczema covered summers under our belt, it appears it's just her inheritance of her father's hay fever. I'm so glad your little boy is feeling less frightened!

[Barabara]

It's amazing the changes in how we feel emotionally as well as physically from changing our diet isn't it. It sounds as if your little boy's life is changing in such a positive way. Good for him that he feels the change too. Love the giant bubbles and the tree hugger t shirt!

[daria]

How wonderful to see his world expanding like that! (I married into a family full of food intolerances, & over the years have been profoundly amazed at the good/evil power of food.)

[erin]

food is an amazing thing - good and bad. i've been thinking about you. hope the elimination is helping you too!

[emily]

how wonderful - that you have each other to teach and learn and help each other to find health and happiness.

[Neisha]

You have just given me major hope. My son has Aspergers and sensory issues and diet definitely helps and now I'm wondering if I should get myself tested because both my husband and I suffer with our stomachs constantly and our moods reflect how we're feeling. Thanks for posting about this. I wish you the best. It's a beautiful thing to see these wonderful children thrive.

[Samera]

I'm wishing you the best of luck for your family. There is nothing more lovely than enjoying your child grow up but it is even more wonderful when you are all HEALTHY!

[cindy]

It is amazing the amount of info I am learning thru gluten and dairy free diets. I'm not quite ready to commit, but it is definately interesting.

[Tracey@Paper Dolls for Boys]

Beautifully written. How impressive that your little one can express himself so well about the changes he is feeling. When we listen to children, powerful things happen! :)

[Jen b]

wow! isn't amazing the way things work sometimes.

[Annie]

It's so great to hear that things are going well for you and yours! It sounds like discovering everyone's "issues" has brought a lot of good things into being.

[blair]

this makes me so happy to hear. Well, not your food intolerances, but you know what I mean ; )

[kate]

What a lovely, warm post. Horray to you for following your heart and finding your way to these changes.

We are in the process of going gluten-free here, too, hopefully to help treat my thyroid condition. Any tips?

And sorry for this, but I've got to: Go Blue!

[christine]

Oh this makes me happy to hear! (for you and for selfish reasons) I'm delurking to thank you for sharing your experiences with sensory integration issues with your readers. After reading your last 2 posts about sensory issues I realized that our younger daughter's behavior (and my frustration with trying to give equal attention to her older sister while meeting her needs) sounded much like you described. After our (soon to be ex-) pediatrician told us we were being paranoid, I listened to my "mommy voice" and scheduled an evaluation with a childhood developmental and behavioral specialist and they have confirmed our suspicions. And I just decided 2 days ago to go "gluten-free" myself and am already feeling better. Looks like I might be pleased with the results if I make the rest of the family gluten-free too!

[Jane]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I think so many people benefit from this kind of honest and positive sharing.

[Michelle]

How exciting to see the changes. He sounds happy. I know it is hard to change alot, what strength you have! Congrats!

[Becky]

I've been reading along and taking to heart your experiences with Elliot. He sounds much like our now three year-old, right down to the fire trucks. You've given me a lot to research and discuss with our ped in two weeks. I appreciate your candor, and am so happy Elliot is benefiting from your great work.

[Jill]

My mother, daughter and I have gluten intolerance and he's right--the fear does go away. It's so wonderful to wake up happy. Amazing. I hope this is your answer too.

[Ella]

just catching up here...thank you for sharing these experiences. i swear all the quirks and moods we go through are always food related....how to get a little one to eat what is "good" for him or to eat at all? You seem committed. That's lucky for you, for him. Good changes.

[mrspilkington]

I'm so glad that things are working, and really glad that you're both feeling good. It's funny how it takes feeling well to realize how unwell you were feeling!

Um, "feeling". I wrote it so many times, just had to do it again.

[Amy Bell]

just found your blog through a friend of mine....oh, it is wonderful. the story of your son..i can relate..my son has an auditory issue...we are going to try musical therapy...very excited about it..isn't it funny how you think you know everything there is to know about your child and then you don't know so much? anyway, so nice to "meet" you. :)