How Food Affects Autism: My Journey with August

When my son August was diagnosed with autism back in 2007, my husband and I were overwhelmed and searching for anything that might help. We attended an autism conference in Vancouver, and that's where we first heard about the positive effects of a gluten-free diet. Among all the complex protocols discussed—like metal detoxification and hyperbaric chambers—the gluten-free diet seemed like something we could realistically try.

On our way home from the conference, we stopped at the market and bought everything from the teeny, tiny gluten-free section. We were excited to give it a go, but that excitement didn't last long. The food tasted awful—bland, gritty, and the ingredient lists were full of things I couldn't even pronounce. I remember trying gluten-free cookies that tasted like cardboard. My family was never going to go for this.

Determined to make it work, I teamed up with my mom, and we got busy in the kitchen. We started recreating our favorite family recipes without gluten. It was important to me that we did this together as a family, and that included not compromising on taste or ingredients. Those early days were tough—so much food ended up in the trash, and our dog, Heidi, gained quite a bit of weight from all the scraps.

But we kept at it, and after years of trial and error, we finally got it right. And boy, was it worth it.

I've seen firsthand how different foods have changed August's mood and behavior. Switching to a gluten-free, real-food diet has made such a difference. August's attention span improved, he became more aware of his surroundings, slept better, had more energy, and was generally less irritable and much happier.

Now, I’m no doctor or scientist—just a mom trying to give her child the best life possible. Going gluten-free isn't a cure for autism by any means, but it has been a game-changer for us. It's a support mechanism that has helped August engage more with the world and be an active participant in life.