Outsmarting Autism, Updated and Expanded: Build Healthy Foundations for Communication, Socialization, and Behavior at All Ages

by Patricia S. Lemer

Overview

Nautilus Award Winner, 2019—Silver in Parenting & Family

A comprehensive resource for parents, therapists, caregivers, and educators, packed with lifelong strategies for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) management and support

Newly revised and updated, this user-friendly guide addresses autism identification, treatment, and prevention from pre-conception through adulthood. Outsmarting Autism describes more than 50 practical approaches with proven efficacy, including lifestyle modification, dietary considerations, and boosting the immune system. After health improves, focus turns to developing the sensory foundations for communication, social skills, and learning.

Patricia Lemer's approach is grounded in research on multifactorial causes, or "Total Load Theory," which explains that developmental delays are caused not by one single factor, but by an overload of environmental stressors on genetically vulnerable individuals.

Because every person with autism is unique, this book guides readers to the therapies that may be right for each individual, helping to make the difference between management and healing. New research on topics like stem cells, cannabis, and dentistry is now included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623173203
Publisher:	North Atlantic Books
Publication date:	03/19/2019
Edition description:	Expanded
Pages:	624
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.60(d)

About the Author

Patricia S. Lemer is a licensed professional counselor, holding a Masters of Education in counseling and learning disabilities from Boston College and a Masters in Business from Johns Hopkins University. She practiced as an educational diagnostician for over 40 years. She was a co-founder and served as Executive Director of the international non-profit organization Developmental Delay Resources. Lemer writes continually for her blog "After the Diagnosis, Then What?" about combining a biomedical approach to autism with sensory and movement-based therapies. She is the editor of EnVISIONing a Bright Future: Interventions that Work for Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (2008), and the author of Outsmarting Autism: The Ultimate Guide to Management, Healing, and Prevention (2014). The latter won First Prize from The Authors' Zone (TAZ) in 2015. From 2012-2014, Lemer consulted in Kuwait to establish a center for young adults with autism. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA and is both a mother and grandmother.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xvii

Preface xix

Chapter 1 Autism: An Epidemic 1

The Dawn of Autism 4

Disability Law 4

Autism Diagnosis 6

What Causes Autism? 11

How Is Autism Treated Today? 16

Where Can I Turn? Who Can Be Trusted? 23

Outsmarting Autism 26

Chapter 2 Total Load Theory: Why So Many Children Have Autism 33

Load Factors 40

Every Child Is Unique 50

Testing for Load Factors 51

Outsmart Autism by Removing Total Load Factors 55

Step 1 Take Away the Bad Stuff, and Add Back the Good Stuff

Chapter 3 Reducing Load Factors through Lifestyle Changes 63

Environmental and Chemical Stressors 63

Physical Stressors 70

Social Stressors 75

Educational Stressors 77

Emotional Stressors 81

Support Environmentally Healthy Practices 83

Take-Home Points 84

Chapter 4 Digestion: The Key to All Health 91

Digestion 101 91

Digestion and Autism 93

Innovative Therapies for improving Digestion 101

Take-Home Points 105

Chapter 5 Dietary Dos and Don'ts for Autism 111

Start by Cleaning Up the Existing Diet 112

Food Allergy Reactions and Testing 115

Special Diets 116

Picky Eating 133

What's for Breakfast? 135

Take-Home Points 137

Chapter 6 The immune System: What Goes Wrong 143

Immunology 101 143

The Immune System in Autism 152

Take-Home Points 166

Chapter 7 A Three-Pronged Approach to Healing the Physical Body 173

Strengthening Immunity 173

Eliminating Allergies and Infections 179

Taming Inflammation 185

Take-Home Points 190

Chapter 8 Hormones and Autism: The Endocrine System 195

Endocrine System 101 195

Endocrine and Hormone Disruption in Autism 198

Balancing Hormones 200

Endocrine and Hormone Testing 205

Take-Home Points 205

Chapter 9 Detoxification: Getting the Bad Stuff Out 209

Detoxification 101 210

Detoxification and Autism 213

Foods and Supplements for Detoxification 217

Homeopathy 225

Additional Methods of Detoxification 230

Detoxification and Psychological Issues 234

Take-Home Points 236

Step 2 Correct Foundational Issues

Chapter 10 Structural and Brain integration Therapies 243

Structural Therapies 244

Additional Bodywork Interventions 248

Educational Kinesiology and Brain Gym 259

Take-Home Points 265

Chapter 11 Reflexes: A Blueprint for Motor, Cognitive, and Social Development 269

A Historical Overview 270

What Are Reflexes? 271

Reflexes and Stress 275

Reflexes and Autism 278

Reflexes and Sensory Processing 291

Assessment of Reflexes 292

Rhythmic Movement Training 293

Resources on Reflexes 293

Take-Home Points 294

Chapter 12 Dental Decisions 299

The Mouth 299

Conventional Dentistry 301

Biological Dentistry 302

Early Dental Stressors 306

Mercury 307

Fluoride 311

Dental Sealants 313

Root Canals 314

Cavitations 315

Special Considerations for Treating Dental Patients with Autism 315

Anesthesia and Autism 318

Jaw and Bite Issues 320

Chinese Tooth Chart 322

Resources 322

Take-Home Points 322

Step 3 Address Sensory Problems

Chapter 13 Sensory Processing and Motor issues 329

Sensory Processing 330

Sensory Processing in Autism 335

Sensory Evaluations 341

Interventions for Sensory Processing Issues 345

Music 356

Sensory Connections to Other Problems in Autism 357

Flower Essences and Essential Oils 359

Take-Home Points 360

Chapter 14 Focusing on Vision: The Dominant Sense 367

What Is Vision? 368

Vision and Autism 373

Vision Exams 379

Vision Therapy for Individuals with Autism 382

The Vision-Vestibular Connection 388

Vision's Role in Language Development and Social Skills 388

Vision in the Schools 389

Visual Thinking: Our Goal 391

Take-Home Points 392

Step 4 Focus on Communicating, Interacting, and Learning, and Learning

Chapter 15 Improving Communication and Social-Emotional Skills through Play 399

Foundations for Language and Social Skills 400

Autism and Relationship Building 402

Greenspan's DIR and Floortime 404

Profectum and FCD 409

The Affect-Based Language Curriculum 411

Solving the Relationship Puzzle: Relationship Development Intervention 411

The Son-Rise Program 415

Social Stories 417

Social Thinking and The Zones of Regulation 419

The SCERTS Model 420

Porges's Polyvagal Theory 421

Building Socialization and Language through Animals 423

Robots as Therapists 424

Take-Home Points 425

Chapter 16 Behavioral Therapies and Neurofeedback 429

Behavioral Therapies 430

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies 439

Rapid Prompting Method 441

Eeg Neurofeedback 442

Take-Home Points 450

Chapter 17 Assistive Technology 453

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices 454

Computer Programs and Video Modeling 456

The iPad, Android, and Windows Tablets 456

Two-Dimensional versus Three-Dimensional Learning 458

Tobii Dynavox 458

Communication (AAC) Apps 459

Cause and Effect Apps 462

Touch and Drag Apps 464

Scrolling Apps 464

Determining Which Device and Apps Are Best 465

Take-Home Points 466

Chapter 18 Academics: Finally Learning to Read, Write, Spell, and Calculate 467

Preparation for Academics 468

Programs for Enhancing Academic Readiness 470

Academic Skills 476

Other Considerations 487

Take-Home Points 488

Step 5 Plan for the Future

Chapter 19 Transitioning out of School into a Life 493

A Universal Problem 495

Preparing for Transition 496

Transition Services 498

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 501

Finances 502

Self-Advocacy 505

Additional Resources 506

Take-Home Points 507

Chapter 20 Living, Employment, and Beyond 509

More on Self-Advocacy 509

Continued Treatment 510

Postsecondary Education and Living Arrangements 511

Careers and Employment 516

Relationships 520

Neurodiversity or Self-Advocacy? 524

Take-Home Points 530

Chapter 21 Preventing Autism 535

Preconception 537

Pregnancy 543

Labor and Delivery 549

Newborn and First Months of Life 549

Take-Home Points 558

Index 563

About The Author 601

Editorial Reviews

"This updated second edition of educational diagnostician Lemer’s work attempts a broad overview of current findings and treatments, not hesitating to cover hot-button topics such as vaccines and hyperbaric oxygen, stem cell, and chelation therapies. Extensively researched, with citations and further reading in every chapter and a compendious index, this comprehensive resource is designed as an easy-to-use reference. New to this edition is a discussion of the “microbiome” and recent investigations involving digestive and dental connections to overall physical health, the neurodiversity movement, and more.
VERDICT This all-in-one guide should be on every pediatrician’s, teacher’s, and service provider’s radar, and on the shelf of essential resources for parents of children with autism."
—Library Journal (starred review)

“One reason the updated version of Outsmarting Autism is so powerful is that it is totally infused by the Total Load Model: a pile-on of countless thousands of stressors chipping away at how our bodies, brains, and minds work. I use Lemer’s model every day in treating my patients. This is a book to keep close by so that you can consult it often.”
—Martha Herbert, MD, author of The Autism Revolution

“The most complete and updated guide to autism. If you read only one book, this should be it.”
—Peter Sullivan, founder of Clear Light Ventures

“Extremely well written in Patricia Lemer’s down-to-earth, no-nonsense style, Outsmarting Autism is encyclopedic in its scope—clear, free of professional jargon, and accessible to all without being the least bit dumbed down.”
—Mary Rentschler, MEd, MNRI (Masgutova Method) core specialist and instructor

“Outsmarting Autism is a much-needed practical and comprehensive guide that every parent and clinician who treats patients with autism should read. Lemer outlines extremely complicated issues and puts them into bite-size explanations that can be easily understood. She provides an array of possible options that may not have been considered by mainstream approaches. This book is a must-have in your tool box!”
—Anju Usman, MD
 
“Patricia Lemer has been a pioneer in finding ways to outsmart autism behaviors. She delivers a great variety of approaches to the reversal of autism with integrative therapies in proper sequencing. Parents and practitioners will learn volumes from how the environmental concerns need to be handled to reduce their influence on our kids.”
—David Dornfeld, DO, Family Wellness Center, Middletown New Jersey
 
“I cannot say enough great things about this book. As a therapist and ASD parent it has been the ultimate resource for recovering my child from ASD in the quickest, most effective way. Buy it, read it, use it as your guidebook for healing autism in a way that maximizes your sanity, your spending, and your child’s neurological functioning. It has truly been a lifesaver for my child and my family.”
—Amber Cleveland Lewter, LPC therapist and coach, Relationship Solutions
 
“Outsmarting Autism is the one book in my house that has never been, nor will ever be shelved, because I reference it often. It is a valuable resource, as well as a thoughtful presentation by Lemer, who carefully prioritizes modalities for you to amplify healing and hope. From the important brain-gut connection, to integrating reflexes, to vision therapy and more (cannabis, stem cells, etc.), Lemer guides you step by step, helping you to build critical healing foundations. This book is essential for those who want to know which interventions are relevant and vital at different ages and times.”
—Filomena LaForgia, a parent
 
“We at Epidemic Answers call Outsmarting Autism the bible of autism recovery. This book is the soup-to-nuts guide to everything you need to know about recovering your child from autism. Stress is the crux of Lemer’s Total Load Theory, and it comes under six major categories: biological, environmental, behavioral, educational, physical, and emotional. Removing these individual stressors allows a child’s body to heal from autism. I highly recommend it.”
—Maria Rickert Hong, certified holistic health counselor, AADP, author of Almost Autism
 
“Lemer has given the greatest gift to parents with children on the autism spectrum with her newly revised, updated, and expanded version of Outsmarting Autism. Find out how phytocannabinoids (cannabis) and the endocannabinoid system are dramatically changing the fight-or-flight sympathetic dominant nervous system of ASD children. Get the latest on the importance of good bacteria in the gut and how this affects the brain. The updates also take dentistry to a whole new level by focusing on the child’s whole-body functioning, not just the teeth. Find out what is out there and how you can help your young adult be successful and maximize their utmost potential.”
—Teresa Badillo, board member of Epidemic Answers and researcher for The Autism Exchange
 
“Continuing an excellent track record of providing unparalleled and timely resources, Lemer has assembled a wealth of up-to-date information about autism in one centralized source. Merging cutting-edge approaches with a keen eye for what works, Outsmarting Autism is a book that you will find yourself reaching for frequently.”
—Leonard Press, OD, developmental optometrist
 
“Lemer has a gift for making complex information readable and understandable. As a full-time university professor in the special education field, I rate Lemer’s book Outsmarting Autism five stars without reservation.” 
—Andrew McCabe, PsyD, professor of special education, New Jersey City University
 
“Patricia Lemer knows autism and what to do about it. She believes and has witnessed how autism can be reversed. Uniquely, she understands the profound role of vision and vision development on a child’s behavior and success, and how visual considerations are often masked or overlooked. She is an authentic soldier in this epidemic scourge of autism, and, at her core, she is a great advocate for kids’ health.”
—Hans F. Lessmann, OD, developmental optometrist
 
“Patty Lemer’s book is an encyclopedia on autism, covering a comprehensive array of interventions, describing the functional medicine approach with an emphasis on the interconnectedness of different body systems and how to bring them back to balance. Her book is a must-read for all mental health professionals, behavior therapists, and anyone working with ASD children and their families.”
—Marina Livis, MSW, INHC, child and family therapist and health coach
 
“Outsmarting Autism offers parents, professionals, and individuals with ASD an informative and intriguing compilation of well-researched content and practical strategies to help understand, manage, and respond to the effects of ASD. Topics addressed include stem cell treatment, cannabis, autism and the gut, and the transition to adulthood.”
—Heidi Hess Buckley, director, Autism Caring Center
 
“Patty Lemer is a treasure to the autism community. She has dedicated her life to supporting families of children with special needs. Outsmarting Autism is the exclamation point of her service to this community. Patty does a superb job referencing information and provides easy-to-understand discussion on advanced topics.”
 —John Leon, founder of The Autism Exchange
 
“Lemer continues her long tradition of providing relevant and up-to-date information as well as making sense of rather complicated issues. Much is known about helping individuals on the autism spectrum, and this book is an excellent resource for those on the spectrum, family members, and professionals.”
—Stephen M. Edelson, PhD, director, Autism Research Institute
 
“Patricia Lemer’s Outsmarting Autism brings a deep understanding of the myriad ins and outs of autism in a matter-of-fact presentation that is both hopeful and fair-minded. Highly recommended for parents, practitioners, and caregivers.” 
—Christie Dames, CEO, TechTalk / Studio, advocate and voice for autism families and parental rights
 
“This book is the product of a lifetime of knowledge and dot-connecting. It provides a practical guide for parents and clinicians alike: an eagle’s-eye view of all things autism through the years with a focus on what is currently known and what can be done to improve the lives of those with the condition. This is a must-read for anyone impacted by autism, which, based on the statistics, is at least one child in every classroom in America.”
—Kristi Wees, MS, chief advocacy officer, Empowered Medical Advocacy

From the Publisher