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Woman takes ex-husband to court over a gluten-free diet

Reported by Max Winitz - bio|email
Posted by Debra Worley - email

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The mother of a 9-year-old autistic child asked a New Hanover County Judge to enforce her son's gluten-free diet, something she says her ex-husband has not been following.

Carson Breck was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and a doctor recommenced he be placed on a gluten-free diet.  Since, his mother, Janeen Breck, says Carson has been acting and feeling much better and believes the diet is responsible for the change.

"Before, he was kind of to himself and kind of hollow," said Janeen.  "[Now] he's more focused.  He's more alert.  He's more personable.  He tends to want to do things with people."

Her ex-husband, Brian Breck, however, feels the diet is too restrictive and allows the young boy to eat whatever he likes.

Friday, a New Hanover County judge was given the task of deciding if the diet needs to be strictly enforced.

According to Dr. David Hill with Cape Fear Pediatrics, it is unlikely that Carson's improvements are a result of the gluten-free diet.  He says there are a number of factors in her home environment that caused the child to behave better.

While the verdict is still out on whether the diet is the cause for the improvements, the judge ruled in favor of Janeen, saying Brian must follow the diet guidelines when he sees his son.  If he doesn't, his visitation rights will be taken away.

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