Changing the Course of Autism: A Scientific Approach for Parents and Physicians

by Bryan Jepson, Katie Wright (Foreword), Jane Johnson (Collaborator)

This book shows that autism can be treated by reducing the neurological inflammation that is part of the disease process, rather than simply masking the symptoms with drugs like Ritalin and Prozac. The authors have have seen autistic behaviors improve dramatically or disappear completely with appropriate medical treatment. The book reviews the medical literature regarding the biological nature of the disease, including the potential connection between vaccines and autism. The foreword is by Katie Wright, whose parents―Bob and Suzanne Wright―founded Autism Speaks.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Parenting

358 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 2007

Reviews

[Erin A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I found out that Dr. Jepson's clinic - Thoughtful House - was now in Texas and Noah is now one of his patients. Some of the ideas in his book still aren't considered main stream, but he gives a very balanced opinion of these ideas and gives you the research behind each so you can decide for yourself if you think it's something that is worth trying with your child. His medical practice is the same - they take a very balanced, methodical approach to treatment. I think a lot of doctors who take the biomedical approach are perceived as fanatics and extremists who go forward with risky treatments without reasonable cause. Dr. Jepson and his staff are anything but - unless you consider parents who are doing all they can to find real treatments for their autistic kids fanatical. Much of the book is pretty clinical, as it was written for doctors as well as parents (I gave my pediatrician a copy), but there's also a lot of information my frazzled, "mom brain" was able to absorb! I've really come to respect Dr. Jepson and his work. His approach is just as it says - "scientific" - that autism isn't so much psychological as it is physical and needs to be addressed medically - that autism IS treatable! Before you rule out biomedical intervention for your child, you need to read this!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because Dr. Jepson is technically my son's Doctor. Actually, we see a Nurse Practitioner at the Thoughtful House, but regardless, I thought it would be a good idea to read more about the treatments they were recommending for my son.

I'll start off by saying this book is *dense*. There is a ton of technical information about what we know about Autism, what we think about Autism, and why we think it. I appreciate the heavy research base--and I appreciate that the book emphasizes that because of a variety of reasons, high-quality scientific studies of autism are hard to come by. I also really liked the organization of the book--describing symptoms of Autism as they intersect with the various major functions of the body. It was easy for me to say, for example, "Oh--Zach's symptoms worsen when his allergies are spiking. Now that makes sense."

The list of supplements and treatments presented is very overwhelming. We are not even on half of what is discussed in the book. But, to reiterate a theme of the book, no two children with autism are exactly alike--therefore no two treatment courses will be exactly alike. One thing I have always loved about TH (even before reading this book) is that they understand the uniqueness of each child and are extremely careful about introducing new treatments.

Overall, this is a great book for people wishing to learn more about Autism--probably more geared toward clincians--becuase it puts all the research and theories in one place and in context.

[Kristylemmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't actually read this cover to cover, so I feel a bit fraudulent putting this on my *read* shelf. I think I need a *skimmed* shelf. This is a very thorough book which is perfect for a parent of a child with autism who is also a doctor, which is what the author is. It's full of research findings and technical info that I found very hard to wade through. But I think if we start going down the special diet/enzyme supplement road with our son, it will be indispensable. The author states that it's not really a book you can just sit down and read, it's a guide book. And I am sure it's been really helpful to a lot of people.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent source for possible environmental causes of autism and treatments to help children recover. Although the MMR vaccine is not the only suggested cause (and genetic predisposition is a factor), I'm thinking long and hard about if I should let my son have this vaccine. 1 in 94 boys has autism (1 in 150 children). I think everyone should read this book because we will either have a child with autism or know someone who does. I found possibly the longest English word in this book (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) but it was still easy to read and understand.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written for physicians to read, so at times is diffeicult to understand, but the author makes that clear in the begin and suggests skipping over chapters. If we want to change the course of autism more people are going to need to read and understand how and what we need to doto make those changes.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evidence-based and dense with statistics, this book dispels many of the myths that attempt to explain the rise in autism in the last 20 years. While it doesn't offer many answers, it makes a good argument for the need for more research and for existing studies to be scrutinized more closely.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book to learn more about Autism. It is written for both physician's & lay people so unless you are a doctor there are parts that may be over your head. You can skip thru those sections and read the rest.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a detailed and thorough guide to the medical interventions, both mainstream and otherwise, that can be used to treat autism and its symptoms. I have read a lot of books on this condition and this one is one of the few that was good enough I decided to buy my own copy.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. This book uses clear language to discuss some of the scientific and biological points of Autism.

[Jill M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must have for any parent with an autistic child. very insightful and comforting in knowing I may not be crazy after all

[Missy]

This was a great read for someone who wants to know the ins and outs of a biomedical approach to autism.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is now an epidemic. I wonder why. hmmmmm

[Sarah Nokleby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am only on the beginning of Chapter 6, and I am already digging into this book! I am having so many "ah ha" moments, and answering the questions I keep asking!

[Lorrea - WhatChaReadin'? · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book had a lot of interesting ideas about helping children with Autism, it seems to be a bit outdated for what I was looking for.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally changed my perspective on autism - it's causes, treatments, and very nature as a medical disease. I wish every pediatrician would read this.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definetly a scientific approach to autism. Very informative.

[Lindsay Rolfes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It can be difficult to read but I learned a lot from this book.