Preventing Autism: What You Can Do to Protect Your Children Before and After Birth

by Jay Gordon, Diane Reverand

A groundbreaking approach to preventing autism--from a renowned pediatrician. Something is happening to our children, and Dr. Jay Gordon is determined to stop it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in eighty-eight children in the United States is being diagnosed with developmental disorders on the autism spectrum (ASD). The accelerating ASD epidemic parallels industry's increased use of untested chemicals in manufacturing and our food supply. Preventing Autism identifies the toxic environmental triggers that can cause autism in susceptible children. Dr. Gordon presents a practical plan for safeguarding the neurological development of your children, from pre-pregnancy preparation through your baby's first twenty-four months.

When you are pregnant, everything you experience--the air you breathe, what you eat and drink, the chemicals to which you are exposed, your emotions--is shared with your baby. Your child's health depends on creating an optimal environment for growth before and after birth. Preventing Autism presents a comprehensive program that


The latest research on the causes of ASD and the relationship between genetic factors and toxins that trigger developmental delays.
How to reduce toxic exposure from your food, home, clothing, and cleaning and personal care products.
The male biological clock. Recent research shows that mutations in older sperm contribute significantly to the incidence of autism. The book includes advice on keeping sperm healthy.
Planning a nursery that is a healthy nest.
Dietary guidance for moms-to-be, babies, and nursing mothers.
Dr. Gordon's sensible approach to decisions about vaccinations.
Preventing Autism offers a plan for eliminating harmful chemicals from your everyday life that can disrupt the development of your baby. Dr. Gordon believes we can combat autism one family at a time.

Genres: Parenting

320 pages, Unknown Binding

First published March 19, 2013

About the author

In the middle of his residency training, pediatrician Jay Gordon took an unusual step. Deciding that he needed greater knowledge about nutrition, vitamins, and alternative medicine in order to practice medicine the way he wanted to, Dr. Gordon took a Senior Fellowship in Pediatric Nutrition at Sloan-Kettering Institute in New York City. After his residency at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Dr. Gordon joined the teaching attending faculty at UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Intensely interested in infant nutrition and breastfeeding, Dr. Gordon is the first male physician to sit for and pass the International Board of Lactation Certification Exam. He has served on the Professional Advisory Board of La Leche League for twenty years. Dr. Gordon treats patients at Santa Monica, California. In addition, he finds time to participate in the training of medical students and residents, lecture all over the world, write books, and contribute to AOL with the Ask The Pediatrician weekly chat. He writes a monthly column for "Fit Pregnancy" magazine and has recently contributed to "New York Parent," "Parenting" magazine and has been quoted in the L.A. Times, New York Times, London Times . . . and many other times.

Busy as he is, Dr. Gordon finds that his most challenging job is "being a good husband and the best possible parent to my 16-year-old daughter."

Reviews

[Liza · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only ways of completly preventing autism are eugenics, abstinence, and filicide. Don't want kids like us? Don't have sex 🥰

[Erin Lillemo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author is very informative and approaches autism as a multi-factorial disorder. Since the cause of autism is still unknown it makes sense to approach it considering all aspects of personal health and the environment. That being said, unless you are willing to rip out the carpet in your house and throw out your hand soap, this may not be the read for you. The author takes this to the extreme. He points out everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, in your lifestyle that contains toxic chemicals but fails to mention the amount needed in a product to actually cause harm to the human body.
He also uses a lot of "you" statements. "YOU need to do this" or "why would YOU knowingly harm YOUR baby?"
To me, this can be perceived as aggressive to the reader and potentially turn them off. Although one can gain mass amounts of information on how to live a healthier lifestyle, the author could tone it down a bit and be more realistic.

[Anne Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Good book. It is a stab in the right direction. The author/physician makes the same mistake that all physicians make concerning this disorder. He is speaking mostly to pregnant women. The truth is, the toxicity begins in childhood in a little girl. She grows toxic as she grows up. That toxicity in passed on to the unborn infant. This book should be addressed to mothers as they are raising their daughters.

[Kate]

Curious to see what he says