Understanding and Implementing Special Diets to Aid in the Treatment of Autism and Related Developmental Disorders, by Lisa Lewis, Ph.D.
(c) 1998; Future Horizons Inc.; Arlington, Texas.
[Order here.]

I can see why this is still touted as THE place to start researching the connection between autism and diet, even 10 years after it was published. This is a remarkably thorough book, well-researched and relatively easy to understand.

Dr. Lewis starts by telling the story of her son, Sam, from his birth, through his diagnosis of autism, through his thank God successful recovery largely due to the GF-CF diet in conjunction with other therapies. She explains the physiological basis of autism a whole lot better than I get it, tells you how to test your child for gluten-sensitivity (and other sensitivities - I’m learning with that autism you rarely get just one!), how to start the diet, how to explain the diet (to extended family, or caregivers), and provides countless recipes for, like, normal food that kids actually want to eat.

She ends with pages and pages of resources, but remember the book was published in 1998, so they’re not current. It’s so cute, she actually has a section at the end where she explains how to buy a modem so you can “surf the web.” She recommends getting Compuserve. Does anyone else remember Compuserve? Am I totally dating myself when I say I’ve even heard of Compuserve?

I guess that’s why people get Special Diets for Special Kids, Two, but my understanding is that most of the second edition is new recipes, and the explanatory part, which is what I really wanted, didn’t get repeated. I like this one. I once read (I can’t quote the source exactly) that when you’re looking for books you should try to find the one that saves you from reading ten others. When it comes to the connection between diet and PDD, Special Diets for Special Kids is that book.

And to quote a review from a fan who agrees, “Special Diets For Special Kids made me feel like I actually had someone there holding my hand the whole way.“

The only recipe we tried at the bakery was the yeast-free bread, but it didn’t work for us. (I think that was our YF#67, the “spongy-pudding.” I’m sure it’s our fault, we have no luck with yeast-free breads.) Anyway, now that I’ve brought the book home, I’m gonna try more, including the one for matza balls. Wish me luck!

[I don’t want this to get buried in the comments: View Jenny on Larry King Live.]

I have SO many overdue posts to post! I had in mind a whole series of, like, book reviews. (I say “like” because I also want to include Dr. Pietzak’s DVD, Understanding Celiac Disease…, so it’s not just books.)

Anyway. Blogs are weird, the whole chronology thing throws me. Read the rest of this entry »