Special Diets for Special Kids (Hardcover)

by Lisa Lewis (Author) "In 1991, when he was three and a half years old, my son Samuel received a diagnosis of PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not otherwise specified.)..." (more)
Key Phrases: dry milk substitute, pure vegetable glycerin, celiac groups, Cups Sugar, Cup Rice, Cup Unsweetened (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Understanding and implementing special diets to aid in the treatment of autism and related developmental disorders.

About the Author
Lewis is Director of Neuropsychological Services at Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 251 pages
• Publisher: Future Horizons (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885477449
• ISBN-13: 978-1885477446
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,688 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #19 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Alternative Medicine > Diet Therapy
  #19 in	Books > Science > Medicine > Alternative & Holistic > Diet Therapy
  #44 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Diets & Weight Loss > Special Conditions > Gluten-Free

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 64 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

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.

69 of 70 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

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.

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.