PDA

View Full Version : Michael Phelps, ADHD, AS, and gluten free diet


halsgluten
08-17-2008, 10:35 PM
1) Michael Phelps, the first time I saw his face I’m thinking Asperger’s (wing ears, facial muscles, childhood gauntness). An obsessive/compulsive or stimming component could come in handy if swimming happens to fill those sensory needs.

2) My wife (Olympics phreak) said that Michael Phelps seemed “aloof” or distant in the 2004 Olympics. (ersatz "growing out of it")

3) When his unusual proportions are reported (upper body of torso of a very tall man, legs of a short 5’8’ man), I’m thinking “Celiac Legs”.

4) My wife said tonight that Michael Phelps said he has an ADHD diagnosis as a child.

No surprise here. A significant portion of those who were labeled ADHD 10-15 years ago would be labeled Asperger’s now. My son’s school is still trying to treat Asperger’s labels as if they were ADHD.

Either way, it is a vigorous exercise regimen not mental exercise that stimulates production of new brain cells. IMO, sports are the best thing for the Autistic cloud of labels.

A very high caloric diet coupled with very high levels of sustained exercise can mask the malabsorption and bacterial overgrowth associated with gluten (Celiac) and dairy sensitivity.

Some “A-dar” stories. My son and I are Asperger’s. We are at Webelos camp this summer. I’m heading to lunch and I see a boy sitting on the sidewalk with >his< dad, playing with the sidewalk texture, happily as a clam. My A-dar said, "Hmmm, Asperger’s." The mess hall has a PBJ sidebar at every meal, and later on in lunch, I’m making my boy a PBJ with gluten free bread. The dad that was already at the PBJ bar glanced at me and said, “Gluten free diet?” Yep. We exchanged our Asperger labels.

My wife is starting her second year as a developmental para at the high school. Our dentist’s office found this out at the last visit and the dentist and two staffers told her about close relatives with new Asperger’s labels. We found out our dentist has additional dental hygiene instructions for parents of Asperger’s.

Hal (used to post on Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease)

Kara
03-30-2009, 10:37 AM
I think Asperger's and ADHD can be co-morbid conditions. I am still researching this. I have responded extremely well to ADHD medication--it changed my life in ways I couldn't have imagined. But, even on the Adderall, my therapist has noticed some Asperger's traits in me and wants me to consider the possibility I have it. And I am also gluten-intolerant, by the way. I didn't figure out this connection until I was 25. I have "fallen off the wagon," since I can usually get away with eating gluten now without the headaches and the constant heartburn (among other symptoms), but it could still be affecting me in ways I don't realize.