Julie presented for 90 minutes in the morning, followed by half an hour of Q&A with parents. She spent two more hours in the afternoon on diet implementation. This was perhaps her most comprehensive presentation on Nourishing Hope to date. Julie explained the scientific rationale for specials diets, the gut-brain connection, foundations of a healthy diet, ASD diet options, and particulars on getting started and evolving special diets for children with ASDs. Her presentation is rich with personal insights that (we hope) help to encourage the audience to try, and persist, with nutrition intervention.

Julie’s content and message conveys three strong themes:

1. That autism is a whole body disorder - Common physiological symptoms, GI tract and brain are connected, body systems breakdown affect cognitive function and behavior.
2. Food affects the health of whole body – Digestion
   & biochemistry, brain is "downstream" from body’s functioning,
   nutrients required for brain function, common symptoms that can improve.
3. Parents can improve their children’s health through Nutrition Intervention and Special Diets  – Foundations of healthy diet, special diet options, providing essential nutrients, creative approaches for implementation.

SEE THE VIDEO of Julie’s presentation below, filmed by TV Ontario. There are 3 Parts, and you can view the accompanying Powerpoint Presentation too.

This event was created FOR parents, and organized BY parents in support of the common quest to help recover their children – parents are self educating and informing others of options. Half the audience had tried diet, and half were entirely new – together they learned how food choices can positively affect their children’s unique biochemical systems. With much to convey in a short time, Julie included countless tips and options for parents to consider, and delivered a consistent message that diets can help – there is hope.

In a 2-hour afternoon session, Julie covered the essentials of GFCF diet implementation; getting started, recipe ideas, and multiple food preparation options including tips from her Traditional Healing Foods class. There were food samples too, including Squash Meatballs, and yummy Date/Coconut Balls for treats.

Nourishing Hope Toronto was very fulfilling. Parents made new friends, great local food sources and supporting practitioners were discovered, and people left with knowledge and ideas that they can immediately use to help positively impact the health of their children and entire families. Regardless of one’s circumstances, placing conscious attention on diet and nutrition has repeatedly demonstrated to be the most effective intervention in parents direct control.

SEE THE CANADA NEWS STORY: How does diet affect ASD kids: A Parent’s Perspective

Martin Matthews