It’s nice to meet you!

Welcome! I’m Elisa.

I am a Pediatric Registered Dietitian, a wife, and a mom of two.
I was born and raised in Upstate New York, in a big, loud and loving Italian family.
I completed my Master’s in Nutrition Science from Syracuse University in 2013 and this is when my interest in nutrition for autism began.
My cousin Lawrence was 2 years old and had just been diagnosed with autism.
His mom, my aunt Adriana, is like a sister to me. She described feeling “overwhelmed, helpless and afraid.” Of course I wanted to help her, so I started researching and learning.
Everything I found, I shared with her. We came up with a plan to improve Lawrence’s diet, making small, consistent changes that added up to big results.
Lawrence was my first client and he is my first reason for this work.
I remember watching him at meals, eating only white foods – American cheese, crackers, yogurt, white bread. He had frequent meltdowns, could not tolerate being touched, seldom made eye contact and often seemed to be in another world.
I knew his diet wasn’t meeting his nutritional needs. What I did not know was that the effects of an improved diet were so far-reaching. I watched as diet changes improved his autism symptoms, most notably his disposition. He was more calm, less spacey, and less irritable.
He could look at me and would hold my hand. I saw fewer signs of pain and digestive upset. This experience opened my eyes to the power of diet for those with autism and spurred me to educate myself further. I realized there is such a need for specialists in this area and yet, there are so few dietitians working with the families affected by autism. I wanted to help fill this gap and this is why I began Elisa Rocks, RDN, my own telehealth private practice.

What my clients are saying…
Education and Credentials:
- Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and Psychology; Binghamton University
- Master of Arts in Nutrition Science and Dietetics; Syracuse University
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
- New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist (CDN)
- Certified GAPS Diet Practitioner
- SOS Sensory Approach to Feeding Therapist (Level 1 Advanced)
- Certified Leap Therapist (CLT) by Oxford Medical Technologies
- Researcher and writer for the Autism Nutrition Library