14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read for parents of ADHD or ADD kids!, April 7, 2009
This review is from: Special-Needs Kids Eat Right: Strategies to Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum Focus, Learn, and Thrive (Mass Market Paperback)
I have read lots of books about diet/nutrition for ADHD/ADD - this one is by far the best. It is full of solutions that are backed with research. The author offers a step-by-step approach to assist you with building a nutritional plan for your child. What really helped was the "if your child is like this, than try this or don't do this" As a mom of 2 special-needs boys and the director of Women for Family Nutrition - this book has been a great resource... I refer to it so often that it has a place on my desk - not my bookshelf!
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
simple & easy to read... yet covers quite a bit, May 27, 2009
This review is from: Special-Needs Kids Eat Right: Strategies to Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum Focus, Learn, and Thrive (Mass Market Paperback)
this was a wonderful book that covers everything from supplements to recipes. Even has lab testing one might consider, how to implement certain diets(GF/CF, SCD), a list of preferred forms of supplements, she explains why and how- so one can understand all this...I can go on and go- but you should just get the book! It is well organized and easy to find information. My toddler has verbal apraxia, food sensitivities and SPD- I highly recommend this book!!
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A comprehensive resource for parents, and professionals who work with children, March 10, 2010
This review is from: Special-Needs Kids Eat Right: Strategies to Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum Focus, Learn, and Thrive (Mass Market Paperback)
Judy Converse, nutritionist and author of Special-Needs Kids Eat Right: Strategies to Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum Focus, Learn and Thrive, is on the forefront of a movement that treats childhood mental illnesses by addressing the health of children's digestive systems. In the book, she discusses the current gap in our medical system that overlooks the nutritional needs of children with sensory processing disorder, autism, Asperger's, ADHD, learning and mood disorders. The science and practice of helping children with bowel and nutrition problems is not new, she says. The new part is recognizing that children in the groups above usually have inadequate diets or undiagnosed GI problems that can benefit from nutrition therapy.
Unfortunately, this connection is often lost because most kids do not see a dietitian or nutritionist. They see a pediatrician who has been trained to treat patients with pharmaceutical drugs, and not nutrition. For example, she describes toddlers who have stopped growing, or whose growth slowed so much they fell beneath the 5th percentile for their age, who are prescribed growth hormone shots by their doctors, overlooking the basic question of whether the children have the tools to properly digest and absorb nutrients. Or, children with mental health problems who are referred to a neurologist, psychologist or other mental health professional who views the illness as only brain related. Consequently, most children without obvious GI problems don't get a referral to a dietitian or nutritionist. Yet many have GI problems that go under the radar of their parents and pediatricians.
The signs of compromised nutritional status vary from child to child, and may include:
frequent diarrhea, irritable mixed stools, bloating, reflux
colic in babies
poor picky appetite
heightened sensory irritability (light, sound, touch)
eczema, rashes
frequent infections
asthma
anxiety, mood issues, irritability
growth problems
dyslexia
seizure disorders
ADHD
autism
incontinence in a previously potty trained child
persistent sleep problems
pallor with allergic shiners under the eyes
headaches and migranes
Undiagnosed food sensitivities, allergies and intolerances can be part of the problem, affecting both growth and behavior. Converse discusses signs and symptoms in babies and children, formulas to try for breastfeeding babies, and when ELISA (IgG), RAST (IgE) testing, or the use of an elimination diet, is appropriate and useful. She discusses what to do if your child is reactive to multiple foods, testing for nutrient deficiencies, and other available diagnostic tools.
You can learn more about nutrition care at Judy Converse's website. Her book outlines a seven step process for assessing and treating a child's nutrition problems, and has a wealth of information on growth assessment, supplements, lab tests and diet. This book is a must read for parents who have a child with any of the aforementioned problems. Pediatricians and professionals who treat children with mental health issues can use the book to help determine when a nutrition referral is appropriate. It is also an important resource for school administrators, counselors and special education teachers who can provide it as resource material for parents.
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