Product Description

As the evidence increases that gluten free and casein free diets can really improve symptoms in certain developmental disorders, Jaqui Jackson decided to try it out with her sons Luke, Joe and Ben. Joe has AD/HD, Ben is autistic and Luke has Asperger syndrome. In this book, Luke Jackson writes about his own experiences of being on this diet, "to let other people with AS know they are never too old or too "mild" to embark on this diet. It really can change peoples lives." Luke offers practical advice on topics such as what to expect when beginnng the diet, tips for how to alleviate any initial discomfort, through to advice on how to rearrange the kitchen to aviod cross-contamination. The book includes a section onhow Luke's mother copes with the challenges of cooking for such a large family, along with a selection of Luke's favourite recipes. The book also includes a list of useful addresses and Websites of suppliers coupled with suggestions as to how to find more detailed references

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #306362 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 170 pages

Book Info
(Jessica Kingsley) Twelve-year-old Luke Jackson explains what it is like to follow a gluten and casein-free diet. Offers practical advice and what to expect, how to alleviate initial discomfort, and more. Includes family recipes, addresses, and a food diary. Softcover.

About the Author
Luke Jackson is 12 years old and has three sisters and three brothers. One of his brothers has AD/HD, one is autistic and Luke has Asperger's syndrome. Luke's mother implemented a GF/CF diet with all three boys. As a 'user' of the diet, Luke regularly shares his experience in order to encourage others to help themselves or their children on an internet and telephone helpline.

Customer Reviews

A brilliant, informative book
I am the grandmother of a wonderful 6-year-old boy who has been diagnosed autistic, and I've read both Luke Jackson's books (written at ages 12 and 13) in order to get a more complete understanding of the condition from a "kids eye view". I can only hope that Luke keeps writing for the masses.

This particular book is a treasure. The reader is treated to Luke's keen powers of observation and unflagging sense of humor, as always. We also get a couple of chapters written by his exceptional mother, Jacqui, who modestly denies being a "superwoman." (I beg to differ.) It's Jacqui who convinced me that if a woman in charge of a household of eight persons can master the art of gluten-free cooking, then the rest of us just might be equal to the task, as well. Last but not least, recipes, menus, and tips on acquiring and organizing necessary equipment are provided in thorough, easy-to-understand detail.

Perhaps all that might not sound exciting to the average person, but I can assure you that this is one of the most interesting and absorbing books ever to address the titled topics. Witness: in the middle of a work week, I began reading the book at about 11:30 p.m. and read it straight through. I couldn't put it down until I finished at nearly 3:00 a.m.

Inspired by Luke's work, I have gone on line to look up more information about gluten-free diets and related topics and have found a wealth of valuable information. However, the language I used to talk my grandson's family into attempting this new lifestyle came straight from the book reviewed here.

An invaluable resource. A "must" read for anyone dealing with a person who on "the autism scale." Thank you and bravo, Luke, Jacqui and Marilyn Le Breton. You have made a very necessary contribution with this publication.

Hearing child's perspective was a great help
My son, 6-yr-old with autism, has been on this diet for over 2 years, and I just read this book. It was very interesting reading the perspective of a child on the diet. I am now even more motivated to keep my son on the GF/CF diet. If you're thinking of starting it, this book will settle some of your concerns about implementing it, such as how your child will adjust, whether they really will start eating what you cook, what to do when other family members are not on the diet, etc. The author is also not the only child in his family who is GF/CF; he has two brothers on the diet as well and describes their experiences with it.
Luke and family are in the UK, so the appendices written by his mother will be more helpful for UK than US readers, but there is also lots of information that applies in the US. She provides some sample menus and recipes - there really are plenty of things to eat after eliminating gluten and casein. They have also included a list of sources for products, both for the UK and US.

Thorough but overenthusiastic
In this book, Luke Jackson explores the effect of the gluten free/casein free (GF/CF) diet on himself and his family and gives practical advice for how to apply it in everyday life. The long appendices (they take up half the book) by his mother, Jacqui Jackson, describe GF/CF recipes, parental notes on implementing the diet, and other resources related to the diet.

The only problem with the book is the enthusiasm with which the diet is presented for all autistic people, and the assumption that it will not harm people to try it so therefore everyone should. This is a diet that only works for people, whether autistic or not, who have specific digestive problems or allergies. If they don't have these problems, they won't need the diet, and the diet can be harmful (physically or financially) to people on it. The author's enthusiasm, given the diet's success for him and his family, is understandable, but it extends slightly too far.

For people who need the diet, though, this is a good book to read for a thorough introduction to how it works and how it can better the lives of people with those specific digestive problems, whether they are autistic or not.