Special Diets for Special Kids [Hardcover-spiral]

Lisa Lewis Ph.D. (Author), Bernard Rimland (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1885477449 | ISBN-13: 978-1885477446 | Publication Date: January 1, 1998

This book---part medical treatise, part cookbook---will teach you how to make GFCF entrees, breads, desserts, and many other foods the entire family will enjoy eating.

In a nutshell, certain enzymes are required to break down gluten and casein. If the enzymes that normally break down casein and gluten don't function well, serious neurological problems can result. Studies have shown that children with autism have a marked deficiency of these enzymes, so gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diets have yielded positive results for many children.

First Runner-Up in the Writers Notes Book Awards, this original Special Diets book has been helping children and adults with autism, ADHD, Celiac disease, and other disorders since 1998!

The first part of the book describes the diet in detail, from both a scientific and a personal approach (the author's son has autism and their family has been on the GFCF diet for years). Helpful sections include:

• Sam's Story
  
• About Special Diets
  
• Allergy or Intolerance
  
• Tests and Nutritional Supports
  
• How (and What) to Feed Your Child
  
• Help From Friends & Relatives
  

Next, the cookbook part contains over 140 recipes, including many you would have never thought possible on a GFCF diet, such as:

• Breaded chicken nuggets and fish sticks
  
• Spaghetti and Meatballs
  
• Pizza
  
• Mock mac-and-cheese
  
• Pancakes and muffins
  
• Cookies and cakes
  
• And more!
  

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Lisa Lewis’ contribution to the understanding of biomedical aspects of autism have been considerable. . . . Her new book also concentrates on the practical applications of knowledge and understanding. It is well-researched, well written, and very much needed."
Paul Shattock, Autism Research Unit, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, England
 

"The writings of Lisa Lewis have made a huge impact on the field of autism. As an educator and a parent, Dr. Lewis has been instrumental in describing the issues of gluten and casein sensitivities, and how these problems affect the behavior of autistic individuals. She has changed the lives of many autistic individuals and their families. Through this book, Dr. Lewis will likely change the lives of many others."
Stephen Edelson, PhD, Director, Center for the Study of Autism, Salem, OR

 

“What will change, and is changing, the minds of the medical establishment is activist efforts by intelligent, well-informed and highly motivated parents like Mary Callahan, Lisa Lewis and many others. . . ."
Dr. Bernard Rimland, Autism Research Institute
 

About the Author

Lisa Lewis earned her Ph.D. in biological anthropology from New York University, where she studied genetic variation. She now lives in New Jersey with her husband and two sons. Along with a partner, Karyn Seroussi, Lisa runs a website and publishes a newsletter for folks using dietary interventions.

Product Details

• Hardcover-spiral: 251 pages
• Publisher: Future Horizons (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885477449
• ISBN-13: 978-1885477446
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource To Implement A Gluten- & Casein-Free Diet, February 24, 2000

By 

Jay Berger (Frederick, Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Special Diets for Special Kids (Hardcover-spiral)

I disagree tremendously with the negative review listed for this book. The author never implies the diet will work for everyone and is the sole therapeutic answer. In my opinion, if you are even THINKING of implementing a gluten-free, casein-free diet for your child, this book is a must. Not only does the author provide a thorough review of the literature & studies done on relevant treatments for autism, & defines many of the terms so readily used, she offers a ton of GREAT, KID-FRIENDLY recipes (great for ANY kids that need to be dairy- and gluten-free, regardless of the reason). The author presents the information without bias, allowing the reader to form their own conclusions whether the diet would be helpful. And while, yes, the diet may be difficult to implement (since casein and gluten are so pervasive in our foods), it offers a SAFE, alternative approach that we have seen work for MANY, MANY people in conjuction with other therapies. And as a medical professional, I was more skeptical than most that there could be any link with food & behavior before I heard and saw it for myself over and over and over first hand. If I had a child with autism I would CERTAINLY TRY this. I would have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Answers at Last, December 1, 2001

By 

Rivkah Maccaby "Rivkah Maccaby" (Bloomington, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Special Diets for Special Kids (Hardcover-spiral)

I'm a professional who works with autistic kids, and I can tell you from experience that what works for one child will not necessarily work for another. Some children improve so dramatically with this diet, and especially with this diet and the drug nystatin, that I encourage all curious parents to try it. However, don't invest all your hopes in it, or stop other therapies, whether they be ABA, or anti-anxiety medications, when you try the diet.

Autistic behaviors as well as degree of expression fall across such a wide spectrum, that I have always believed no one single cause would ever be found. I believe however, that this diet, and the theory of casiomorphins, glutomorphins, and yeast overgrowth, is the answer to one type of autism.

This diet, and its history of discovery by persistent parents, is no less than another tale of Lorenzo's Oil.

The only drawback to this book is Lewis' personal story. She talks in such vague terms of her son's behaviors and "improvements," that the reader has no picture of what is happening, and whether it's dramatic enough really to credit the diet.

However, the diet, the recipes, the resources are brilliantly presented. Everything a parent needs to start and maintain the diet is here. You won't find yourself, wondering, doubting, or second guessing, because the coverage of the actual diet is quite clear and complete. I wish there were some kind of Pulitzer for reference books, because I would nominate this one.

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Autism Resource, February 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Special Diets for Special Kids (Hardcover-spiral)

My eight year old son went on the gluten-free/casein free diet a little over a year ago. A member of my support group had highly recommended _Special Diets for Special Kids_ by Dr. Lisa Lewis. I'll always be grateful that she did! My little boy immediatley showed more awareness. Before going on the diet, we were unable to get him potty-trained; within two weeks of starting the diet, he achieved toileting control on his own. He increased some in expressive language, but in receptive language he improved tremendously. Dr. Lewis clearly explains the testing options available to help parents make an informed decision about whether the diet might benefit their child. She emphasizes that this diet is not a guarantee or cure but could possibly improve a child's life. Reading her book is like talking to another mother of a special-needs child who is offering the experience of what worked for her. After going on the diet, learning definitely become easier for my son. Dr. Lewis also lists every imaginable resource to help in the appendices. After reading the book and trying to properly implement the diet, we continue to receive support from ANDI, the group co-founded by Dr. Lewis. This group offers the latest information and new recipes to help with dietary intervention. The procedure has not always been easy, but seeing my son emerge as he has, has made it worth the extra effort.