Victoria Grancarich presents “Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and Autism: Behavior as Communication” as part of the 2022 Speaker Series hosted by the Specific Carbohydrate Diet Association (SCDA).
In this heartfelt, parent-led presentation, Victoria shares her lived experience supporting her son, a young adult with autism and complex medical challenges, and how dietary changes became one meaningful part of their family’s journey.
Victoria is the mother of a young adult with autism and co-occurring medical issues. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly to better understand her son’s needs, ease his discomfort, and improve his overall quality of life. In this talk, she shares how the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) became a positive and supportive change for her son and their family, based on careful observation and what he appeared to tolerate best.
A central insight Victoria offers is her belief that behavior can be a form of communication, especially for individuals who are non-verbal or have limited language. From her perspective as a mother, behaviors that appeared disruptive or misunderstood were often signals of internal distress rather than problems to be corrected in isolation.
She reflects on the importance of listening closely, asking deeper questions, and considering underlying physical discomfort as part of a compassionate support approach.
This presentation reflects the mission of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet Association—to share lived experience, foster understanding, and support families through education, community, and respectful dialogue. Victoria’s story is shared not as medical advice, but as a personal journey intended to offer insight, hope, and connection to others navigating similar paths.