Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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!!

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.

Judy Converse has taken on the overwhelming task of collecting, reviewing and presenting current research and practical information to assist children on the Autism spectrum. She does an excellent job of explaing complex and controversial issues for parents and health professionals to understand, providing specific guidlines and plans of action. Topic essentials include: How to engage your provider, making sense of lab tests, special diets, supplements, cooking tips and additonal resources. As a parent of an ADD/LD child and a consulting dietitian, I found this book invaluable.

When I was growing up, there was never enough food, so the idea of a picky eater is utterly foreign to me. I used to lick my plate and long for more. Therefore, when my youngest daughter ate less than ten foods and would rather starve than eat a peanut butter sandwich, I didn't know what to do. Her refusal to eat became a dominating, negative theme in our family. Anyone who has dealt with this kind of stubbornness knows that anger and helplessness a parent can feel.
Then I had the great fortune to read Judy's book, and I recognized my daughter in many of the discussions! Here was some help! Using Judy's advice, I yanked the addictive foods and started offering healthy new foods--over and over. It didn't occur to me that my daughter might need more time to accept a new food.
Now she eats over 100 different foods. She helped me type up the list, and was even proud when it went on for several pages. A huge battle has been resolved in our family, without having to incur enormous medical bills or resort to drugs. Thanks, Judy!

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.

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!!

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!

I debated about going GFCF with my 5 year old for a couple of years. If I had read this book, I would have started much sooner! Excellent information about different types of kids and different types of eaters. I could identify my son by her descriptions. We are now 6 weeks into GFCF and are seeing solid improvement from him. This is a must read for anyone starting or debating about this diet.

This book is an absolute "must read" for any parent struggling with how to find the proper nutritional balance for their special child. This book helps parents navigate the crazy maze of testing, special diets, and supplements in a very clear, concise way. I hope every pediatrition working with a special child will read this book and realize how important it is that we all be working as a team!