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

by Bryan Jepson and Jane Johnson

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591810612
• ISBN13: 9781591810612
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Sentient Publications
• Length: 358 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Must read if you care for someone with autism -- or who is at risk

If you care for an autistic* child (or someone older) then this book is a must read -- several times, until you thoroughly understand the science involved in this condition and until someone writes an update in a few years, as the science grows. *Autistic Spectrum Disorders, PDD, (including 'regressive' autism in children who initially developed normally.) [If there is a better book -- or one even nearly as good -- PLEASE leave a review pointing the way to that book since I want to read it too. This and the Jaquelyn McCandless' book, "Children with Starving Brains: A Medical Treatment Guide for Autism Spectrum Disorders are the best and you should read both.] Dr. Jepson is quite simple a scientist AND a physician who is trying to learn everything *he* can about autism, and to teach what every parent and treating physician needs to understand as a basis for beginning to help those with autism. In this book he has provided a primer on the science needed to understand autism from a medical view point and on the current medical treatments and how they might work or be improved. This is a book any literate (or really determined) parent can read, while at the same time presenting the scientific documentation so enable a physician to use it as a primer on the current debates and state of knowledge. When deciding "can I read this book", consider it to be roughly at the same level as high school or college freshman biology in raw difficulty but remember that likely you are motivated to understand this disease far more than you ever were in high school. Those who gave it low ratings as 'unscientific' quite simple never read this book, since practically every page is a discussion of biochemistry, immunology, and/or the scientific literature, both in support and in opposition to every major theory of autism and its treatment. Jepson warns parents and physicians to seek the science. He is NOT a "mercury causes it" fanatic, but instead (for example) presents the science for and against mercury being a contributing factor. He leads with the primary known risk factor and reminds of this throughout the book: autism has a strong genetic component. He also points out that autism is on the rise (now estimated by the CDC at between 1 in 150 or 1 in 165) -- diagnostic changes and anomalies do NOT account for the increase of the last 20 years -- and that purely genetic diseases do not exhibit "epidemic" characteristics. Jepson's only consistent "points of view" or biases are these: 1) Autism has a STRONG genetic component (e.g., monozyotic twins incur it far more frequently but not universally than either fraternal twins or other siblings) 2) Autism is more than just genetic and is a complex condition likely to have several 'causes' which affect those with the genetic predisposition. 3) Other (than neurological) conditions are commonly seen in conjunction with autism, and might either be more closely related

The most important book I have purchased in the last 10 years

If you are pregnant or have a child less than 1 year of age -- READ THIS BOOK! The information in this book WILL change what you do about early childhood vaccination. The information in this book MAY help you prevent your child from developing regressive autism. As a residency trained, board certified emergency medicine physician, I am (both by nature and training) a skeptic. Throughout my medical career, I have been pro-vaccination. I have personally administered more than 1000 vaccinations, and have supervised the administration of more than 10,000 doses of vaccine -- including cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and plague vaccines. My 14 year old received every recommended childhood vaccine on schedule. Since then, two of the "safe" vaccines (oral polio and whole cell pertussis) that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended at the time have fallen from favor because of proven catastrophic (albeit rare) complications. In the last 14 years, the CDC has made a number of changes and additions to the recommended childhood vaccine schedule. I purchased "Changing the Course of Autism" with the intent of systematically debunking it to put my wife at ease before we began vaccinating our infant daughter. To my surprise, I found the text to be a scholarly, thorough, even-handed analysis of the current controversy about vaccinations and autism. The more I researched known pro-vaccine sources (e.g. CDC, National Institutes of Health, etc.) to debunk the book, the more I realized that the authors had collected a wealth of credible scientific evidence that supports the theory that the recent significant increase in the number of childhood vaccinations may be directly related to the recent dramatic increase in cases of autism in the U.S., the U.K., Japan and other developed countries. The most damning case is made against MMR - the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine currently recommended by the CDC for administration at 1 year of age. The information in this book is VITAL to making an informed decision about childhood vaccination. This is the most important book I have purchased in the last 10 years. It has fundamentally changed my perspective on childhood vaccinations and helped me determine which vaccinations my child WILL NOT RECEIVE. To date, I have purchased 70 copies of this book to give to pediatricians and other fellow physicians, nurses, new parents and parents of autistic children. Richard S. Swinney MD Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Autism IS Treatable...

This book is a hopeful, matter of fact primer on Autism. It's causes and treatments are presented in a balanced, non-confrontational, scientific manner and it is a useful tool for enlightening the skeptics. It is especially helpful for those eager to understand Autism and recover their children via biomedical means. I finally have a better understanding of the "big picture". I have a clearer idea of what is going on with my daughter and have a more focused approach on her treatment. The biggest AH-HA came when I learned just how interconnected the Gastrointestinal, Neurological, Immune and Toxicological Systems are, and how the various biomedical treatments work and why. This is not a how-to manual. You will not find dosage amounts, but you will understand why DAN! Doctors prescribe the various treatments they do, something I didn't `Get' in the beginning. There are a couple of chapters geared to those with medical backgrounds, however, do not let that dismay you. This is definitely a book for the average parent. It is a book that I have been referring back to when I need a `refresher' and is one that I constantly recommend both on-line and for our daughter's caregivers and teachers. It's a `Must Include' on your crowded bookshelf. There really is hope for our children..

Long over due! A must read!

"Changing the Course of Autism" brings readers up to date on autism as a whole body disorder. It reinforces that autism is treatable and makes reference to reputable research. It is well organized and well referenced. This book needs to reach every primary care physician and pediatrician, so our kids have the best chance to be the best they can be. I encourage parents to read this book and share it with their Doctors. Thank you Dr. Jepson. Laurie Mawlam, Executive Director, Autism Canada

A great book to give to a naysayer

Parents, family and friends of children affected by autism: This is an excellent book to buy several copies AND GIVE to the naysayers that you know. These are the folks that say Autism is not treatable. This is extremely well organized book with every study referenced in the back of the book. Every sentence is backed up with science. Parents need to know this is NOT a how to book. Even if it was a how to book - please work with a Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) Doctor to provide answers to your childs unique needs. Go to Autism Research Institute for that information on who is a doctor that treats autism and where to find them. By the time they finish the book - perhaps some minds will finally be changed. Instead of promoting NO HOPE or GOD FORBID FALSE HOPE - this book presents FACTS. Autism is treatable. Thanks team Thoughtful House. Well done.