I had the honour of meeting Renee Pearce at her birth and I have become
her primary paediatrician in the management of her attention deficit,
seizure and autistic disorders. This has not only been a privilege but a
welcoming instruction on the management of diet therapy.
I am not surprised that Leanne, in collaboration with Judith, could write such a valuable text. This is a necessary and new addition to the management of these challenging disorders.
Leanne describes her very moving story and the journey of Renee's autistic spectrum disorder. I have no doubt that her behaviour, attention and learning have improved with dietary management.
The case histories are of interest as they document the personal journeys. The outline of how to implement a diet change is very straightforward and easy to follow. I have never seen such a description ever written in paediatric literature. The recipes are indeed appropriate as these foods cannot be readily purchased.
The technical descriptions of the biology of the nervous system and its interactions with the gastrointestinal system are new. These principles lay the foundation for how dietary management influences not only affect gastrointestinal function but mediate neurotransmission in the central nervous system.
I have no doubt that some of these children have allergies. The listings of the allergens are comprehensive. The associated disorders that are seen in ASD and ADHD are clearly outlined. The general overview of how food alters the body chemistry and nutrition is also welcomed. The various supplements that are recommended are quite comprehensive.
I am not surprised that Leanne, in collaboration with Judith, could write such a valuable text. This is a necessary and new addition to the management of these challenging disorders.
Leanne describes her very moving story and the journey of Renee's autistic spectrum disorder. I have no doubt that her behaviour, attention and learning have improved with dietary management.
The case histories are of interest as they document the personal journeys. The outline of how to implement a diet change is very straightforward and easy to follow. I have never seen such a description ever written in paediatric literature. The recipes are indeed appropriate as these foods cannot be readily purchased.
The technical descriptions of the biology of the nervous system and its interactions with the gastrointestinal system are new. These principles lay the foundation for how dietary management influences not only affect gastrointestinal function but mediate neurotransmission in the central nervous system.
I have no doubt that some of these children have allergies. The listings of the allergens are comprehensive. The associated disorders that are seen in ASD and ADHD are clearly outlined. The general overview of how food alters the body chemistry and nutrition is also welcomed. The various supplements that are recommended are quite comprehensive.
The authors draw on the complementary therapies. The appendices
contain a comprehensive list of additives, herbal medications, vaccinations,
drugs, salicylates, amines, monosodium glutamate and sulphur in foods.
The nutritional value of certain foods is well described. The references are
exhaustive and up-to-date. The addition of informative websites provides
easy access to the world wide web.
I believe this is an extremely valuable addition to the literature on the autistic spectrum disorder and the attention deficit disorder.
I sincerely hope that medical practitioners will take heed and listen to parents attentively and sincerely. I do wish and dream that the evidence- based paediatric practitioners could conduct scientific research into how diet affects behavioural disorders.
I believe this is an extremely valuable addition to the literature on the autistic spectrum disorder and the attention deficit disorder.
I sincerely hope that medical practitioners will take heed and listen to parents attentively and sincerely. I do wish and dream that the evidence- based paediatric practitioners could conduct scientific research into how diet affects behavioural disorders.
| George L. Williams MBChB (UCT), FRACP (University of Sydney). |
| Fellow in Perinatal Medicine (McMaster University). |
| Paediatrician. |
| 19 April 2006. |