There is a serious lack of understanding when it comes to the definition of Autism. According to Autism Speaks, a leading advocacy organization, Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime (2008). It usually develops before the childs third birthday, and affects things such as communication, social interaction, and other behaviours. It is four times more common in boys than girls.

Did You Know?: Autism is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined (Autism Speaks, 2008), with 1 in 150 people diagnosed under the Autism Spectrum (which contains other disorders with similar characteristics relating to Autism).

Currently, there is no cure for Autism. There are, however, treatments available that can improve the severity of symptoms drastically. Specifically, there is a solution that could be as easy as going to the grocery store. Many of the advances made in recent research related to treating (and hopefully curing) Autism have been curbed toward how diet and other outside factors affect Autistic children. Studies have shown that these children have more difficulty processing certain by-products that are in food. More and more families are choosing to use diet to combat Autism.

The Gluten-Free, Casein-Free diet is an example of how simple a solution can really be. By eliminating bread products, dairy products, and many processed foods, behaviours can be greatly improved. The only issue with this diet is its availability. Alternative foods are overpriced, and very difficult to find. There is a potential demand for these products in our community. By increasing the saturation of gluten and casein free foods in grocery stores, and providing wheat and dairy free meals in restaurants and other establishments, we can open the door for many families to have some relief from the constant stress of dealing with a world that is already unaccommodating, and an opportunity for these families to give their loved ones a chance to essentially get better.