Special-Needs Kids Eat Right: Strategies to Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum Focus, Learn, and Thrive [Paperback]

Judy Converse (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 3, 2009

Good news for parents of special- needs kids: a proven approach to everyday meals that fosters learning and development.

Any parent of a child with autism, Asperger?s, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or other developmental disabilities knows that special-needs kids often have food sensitivities and can be very fussy eaters. Plus, they?ve been told to avoid such common ingredients as gluten and casein, making it even harder to give them the balanced, healthy meals all children need.

Now, Judy Converse, a registered, licensed dietitian, offers new advice and guidance on how to use food as an essential tool for development. Based on the latest research, Special-Needs Kids Eat Right includes:

? Simple substitutions that can be easily customized to suit any child?s needs
? Advice for helping the whole family?along with school staff and caregivers?adjust and take part
? Strategies and tips for staying on track at restaurants, holiday gatherings, school parties and lunches, and overcoming obstacles
? Shopping and resource guides
? A long-term program for measuring progress and making adjustments

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Judy Converse, MPH, RD, LD, is a registered licensed dietician specializing in dietary intervention for autism patients. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; 1 Original edition (March 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399534881
• ISBN-13: 978-0399534881
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #391,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Judy is a licensed registered dietitian with graduate and undergraduate degrees in nutrition from the University of Vermont and the University of Hawaii. Since 1999 she has operated Nutrition Care For Children LLC, serving children ages 0-21 with autism, allergies, asthma, growth and feeding problems, developmental delays, and mood/learning/behavior concerns. Judy has worked with government programs, non-profits, industry partners, and families to deliver improved nutrition and functioning for children with special needs. Author of three books, she lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband and son.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 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

By Beth Oden

Format: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!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars simple & easy to read... yet covers quite a bit May 27, 2009

By purplelizard

Format: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!!

10 of 11 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

By Megan Hassen

Format: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. Read more ›

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, answers to all my questions! January 13, 2011

By Melanie Sapp

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I highly recommend Judy Converse's book, Special Needs Kids Eat Right. My 17-year old daughter has suffered all her life with digestive problems, always told by docs that she was fine, system just immature, "she's too picky"...despite painful cramps, inability to gain weight, gas and bloating after a few bites, unexplained rashes. Diagnosed ADHD/inattentive in 1st grade, chronic depression, sensory-visual/spatial-motor memory-executive function disorders. Label after label after label which don't improve things, they just add labels! Finally...After reading this book, we had her tested and found a severe milk and egg allergy. It's been two months and her rashes are gone, stomach cramps gone, she need less ADD medication, seems more alert and hopeful. I credit it with the detailed and easy to understand information in this book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So informative and helpful to a parent! March 6, 2010

By Colleen McNiff

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book literally changed the course of care for my son. I learned so much from reading this book and realized that my son had growth regression and it was probably related to his special diet. (He has food allergies and some intestinal problems. He is also rather picky, further limiting his diet.) Because of Judy Converse's book, we were able to recognize his dietary deficiencies, to apply our new knowledge to my son's care, and decided to seek counsel from a nutritionist instead of immediately going the growth hormone route. Judy Converse is so knowledgeable and provides detailed information while also offering practical advice for parents of kids with special needs/diets. She also offers some recipes in the back of the book -- the gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe in her book is delicious! I am so thankful that a friend recommended this book!!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You get even more than the title suggests June 25, 2009

By Sherry Garnett

Format:Paperback

This is a must read for anyone with a child on the spectrum. I was in one of those funks where we were stuck with progress and treatment of our child and didn't even know what else to look at... my son's OT had introduced us to the idea that there could be a link between our son's digestive issues and his sleep problems. Next day I miraculously find this brand new book in the special needs section. I read some of it in the store and right there started calling people telling them about it. It addressed so many questions I had and introduced me to things I didn't even know I needed to be thinking about. Judy does a great job explaining the vaccine debate... great, clear insight into this. She also gives some wonderful strategies for getting started on nutritional care and talking to your team of professionals. I have to mention that for those of you who know a little about the gluten issue... Judy will take you further. I had no idea there were different levels of reaction and how that might present itself. I had trouble sleeping for several nights after I read this book because I was obsessed with absorbing it... and also just kind of stunned that this information isn't more readily available for parents who are seeking help with their special needs children. Judy is a wonderful, professional writer which makes this book a very good read to boot. Thank you Judy for this much needed work!