Re: autistic children cheating

April 22, 2010

Hi Lara, I can sympathize with you on this issue! When we first started the

diet would sneak treats. She would eat sugar and brown sugar right out of

the canisters.(yuck) At church they have candy and all sorts of goodies in the

kitchen continuously. She would sneak in and eat. It took me awhile to figure

out that she was cheating and when confronted she lied about it! Actually it was

pretty awful and ugly at first. We first dealt with the lying issue with

punishment. Then we allowed her 1 cheat per week,but if she cheated she lost her

cheat for the next week. We watched her like a hawk. It only took her a couple

of losses to realize we were serious. Then we went to 1 cheat every 2 weeks for

a time. And now she's allowed 1 cheat a month. Sometimes it ends up being more

than once a month depending on the circumstances. For examples events at church

or birthday parties. And of coarse the holidays. Which we have the relatives to

deal with!!! They don't understand and think we are nuts and being mean and

cruel? I must say it's been alot harder for her than me. Now if I eat something

not on the diet the first couple of bites taste good but anything after that

starts tasting nasty. I'm praying that will happen with eventually.Even my

husband can see a huge difference for the better when doesn't cheat.

You'll just have to find out what works with your daughter. Taking away

privileges along with rewards. We also reward when she does really well.

Sometimes we offer her choices for example,she gets to pick when she wants to

cheat. The main thing is for you to be consistent with what ever you decide to

do. It will make life easier for you and her. It's tough even after 16 months of

being on the diet once in a while will feel sorry for herself and then

come the tears.But she also realizes that she feels much better physically and

emotionally when she doesn't cheat. With that said " I truly believe that sugar

is as addicting as drugs or nicotine. " I call it poison which my kids get tired

of hearing, but it's the truth! I hope that helps you. Remember that this too

shall pass. Ann

April 23, 2010

I found out that sugar and foods that act like sugar are VERY addicting! I

didn't realize I was a carb addict until I attempted to follow Bee's program.

It was disheartening realizing I was a failure at something I really wanted to

do and knew I NEEDED to do in order to get well. It was almost a cruel joke

having the knowledge that my answer to health issues was right there in front of

me, but I couldn't hold on to it long enough.

I switched over from reading about nutrition and candida to materials geared

toward addiction. Then I " came out " to some close friends who respected that I

was struggling with a real addiction (some don't think there is such a thing as

carb or sugar addiction because we've been so bombarded by the media to accept

it as part of our culture). Coming out and receiving understanding and

much-needed face-to-face support helped me a great deal.

Your daughter would probably have a very difficult time finding a peer who

recognizes or shares addiction issues. That's why it's so great she has you to

talk with about how she feels when sugar is calling her name. The pull of it is

STRONG. The visual aspect of it alone...seeing certain trigger foods...is so

powerful that I have to stay on guard when I leave the house. This has lessened

by leaps and bounds since I'm no longer plagued by hunger pangs because of Bee's

program. I can't imagine being a kid with other kids flaunting their sugary

non-treats at every turn. I don't know if I could muster your daughter's

strength. She should be commended! And so should you! My hat is off to you

for being such great parents!

, Group Moderator

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> Hi Lara, I can sympathize with you on this issue! When we first started the