Healing and Preventing Autism: A Complete Guide

by Jenny McCarthy, Jerry Kartzinel

The must-have New York Times bestseller that tells you what to do now for a child with autism, ADD, ADHD, OCD, and other disorders

For any child with challenges, early intervention is essential and parents need a plan that they can implement right away. Jenny McCarthy, one of the country's leading autism advocates, has teamed up with top autism specialist Jerry Kartzinel, M.D., to offer a prescriptive guide to the healing therapies and treatments that have turned the lives of so many children around. While autism cases have grown a whopping 6000 percent since the 1970s, the medical community is still waking up to the epidemic and parents need tools to begin healing their children and educating their doctors, instead of waiting six months to a year to get an appointment with a specialist. In this book, parents will learn about the

•The biomedical diet and supplement protocol

•Where to find alternative therapies and how to implement them

•A list of tests any doctor can perform

•Studies to show your doctor that will help make the case that they need to support your efforts

•Advice for preventing autism during pregnancy and the early years by looking at family history of allergies, depression, and autoimmune disorders as well as Mom's chemical exposure

Whether your child has autism, ADD, ADHD, OCD, or an autism spectrum disorder, Healing and Preventing Autism is the authoritative reference book with the tools to heal your child.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Health, Parenting, Brain, Psychology

416 pages, Hardcover

First published March 31, 2009

About the author

Jennifer McCarthy is an American model, comedian, actress and author. She first appeared in Playboy magazine in October 1993 and was named Playmate of the Year in its June 1994 issue. She later began a career in television and film and has recently started writing books dealing largely with her pregnancy and motherhood of a child with autism.

Reviews

[Alix Oates · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read just to see what it said. Couldn't finish it. You cannot cure Autism. Autism is not a disease.

[Marissa]

This woman knows nothing! You CAN NOT cure or prevent Autism! I have worked with children and teens with Autism for 8 years... What a family needs is a good team of therapists who can help teach a child with ASD how to function to the best of their ability in the world outside of their own. Consult a professional if you think your child may have Autism... Someone with a degree who knows more than a mother that thinks she has "cured" her son.

[LilyCat]

Wait a second... isn't this lady, like, a former model who thinks she's somehow an expert on autism and thinks that vaccines cause it? Seriously, WTF. Read a great book debunking "anti vaxxer" thinking and a lot of other conspiracy theories, How to Fake a Moon Landing.

Plus, why does everyone think that autistic people need to be "cured" of their autism? Autism isn't just one kind of syndrome, it's a spectrum with lots of different people. Many people on the spectrum that I've met are some of the smartest, most creative people, and don't need any hogwash "cure" for just thinking differently than other people. Treatment of autism as a disease that needs to be "fixed" is outdated.

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was more in depth than the Conquering Autism book, and although I found more things in it that made me stop and think, I also have reservations about it. The give-and-take interview style, and the sometimes condescending tone of the interviews did not work for me. And if you want to convince me scientifically, don't bring God or religious terminology into the text. I think there may be something here, but portions did not work for me at all.

[Amanda Himes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible, unscientific. This woman has no business advising other parents on autism treatments.

[Zack · Rating 1 out of 5]

i am an autistic man in my 30s and a father with an autistic daughter i am also dyslexic. this is the useful stuff in this book summed up in a streamlined and more realistic fashion. diet and environment are important, vaccines do need to be used responsibly. i have read many books on autism, education, ecalogy, parenting, vaccines and neurology. i have also had autism my whole life but it was shamed and ignored. i recently decided to go to a psychologist to get a diagnosis. this is one of the worst books i have ever read and the worst one about autism. if you alleviate the symptoms of celiac disease you did just that. you did not cure autism. if some one with autism has a comorbidity and you alleviate that symptoms of the comorbidity that will obviously help the person with autism. it will not cure autism. autism has been around long before vaccines. people with autism do not want to be cured; we just want a chance to thrive like everyone else. if society would focus on building people up and accepting them instead of trying to ''cure us'' then people with autism would suffer less depression and anxiety. my autism and my daughters autism will not be fixed by a diet.  if it could i would not want to any way. we might have a harder time with somethings than some people. but everyone has struggles and that is ok. we can try to make a little space for each other. i am not saying if your child has trouble with carbohydrates, give them carbohydrates anyway. i am saying  autism is just different, not defective. read anything else this book is terrible on many levels   

[BxerMom · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hate Jenny McCarthy...hate her writing even more! Didn't finish.

[Isabelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

We are not a disease. We can not be cured nor do we need to be. We can not be prevented. Thinking otherwise is ableist. There is nothing wrong with being autistic

[Lauren Hughes · Rating 1 out of 5]

God, please do not feed into this garbage. Seek the autistic adult community if you really want to learn how to best serve them. #actuallyautistic is a great hashtag to follow. Keep your mind open- they know what they need.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Alternative" view of how to deal with autism. You can tell there is an agenda in parts, but I think it brings up great points that many parents wouldn't think to question (after all, shouldn't your doctor know what is best for your child?). It makes a great point that while we may not understand a disorder, if we treat other issues (eg bowel disorders, which are common in people with autism) then the symptoms may be reduced also. Information/resources is well organized and I could see this being a great resource for parents with a child with autism. Not going to lie, it did make me a little paranoid about all the toxins in the environment (I didn't know some vaccines still had mercury).

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reviewing to lower the star rating. Dangerous misinformation.

[Amy Duane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Completely irresponsible and unfounded. Gah.

[Emily Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not at all respectful of neurodiversity.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 2009, many findings would now be considered "incomplete" and "inaccurate." I read this book when a student in my class had Autism and his mother requested a read sections, and/or, this book. I now give it 3/5 stars not because I stand with or against any of Jenny's beliefs, but because I remain neutral. Every parent will fight to their last breath for what is best for their child; that is what I believe.

[Darin Ingels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Jerry Kartzinel is a board-certified pediatrician who has a son with autism and has great, practical solutions for helping families deal with autism and get their children on the road to recovery. A great primer for any parent with an autistic child.

[Emma Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not an easy read but had some very insightful and interesting points.

[Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

Obviously a problematic title. Near the end of the book, she writes that the media too often incorrectly says "cure autism" while the science is more "recovery of non-autistic traits"... So I'm not sure why the title was "healing" in it when "healing autism" sounds just like "curing autism" when what she seems to say she "really" means is "reducing autistic traits" and "giving autistic kids what they biologically need to fit in in society".

Starts off "strong" with personal stories of her autistic child... A child who experienced seizures and "turned blue" from lack of oxygen, yet the atypical neurological development is blamed on vaccines, not, you know, brain damage from temporary lack of oxygen. Although the underlying theme is that there are toxins in vaccines and carpeting and plastics etc., and the thought is that neurological atypicallity is due to a build up of too many toxins from many sources (like mercury from the fish she says she ate while pregnant), not *only* vaccines.

I don't love the interview style of the writing. I suspect it's probably done to lend credence to what's being said because a MD is saying it. I agree with some other comments that it felt condescending at points.

In terms of the content, sure, try an elimination diet to remove dyes or gluten or dairy or sugar or whatever and see if it helps your child. Sure, try to find appropriate supplements and see if they help your child. Sure, try to avoid whatever toxins you can identify (I think this book was published before microplastics became known, or I'm sure there would have been mention of those, too). Overall, this isn't an area I'd say I know much about, but I don't feel like I gained a lot of new information.
I'm glad there were several statements/recommendations to run ideas and questions by your child's pediatrician.

I understand why but don't love that there were recommendations on where to buy products from "trustworthy" companies, one of which is owned by the MD being interviewed.

I think it's important to consume media from points of view that are not your own. For that reason, I'm glad I finished this book.
Also, the audiobook narrator is great; definitely going to be looking up other books Tavia Gilbert has narrated.

[Mari Jack · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugggghhhh! This woman is nothing more than a dumb, stupid airhead! This book is filled with most unbelievable crap about how to "prevent" autism. Like, she thinks "smelly diarrhoea", "infrequent bowel motions" and "ear infections" cause autism. Not to mention the anti-vax trash. Autism is from BIRTH, you lousy dipstick!
God, I feel sorry for her son, his mother making money off him like this. While I'm glad to see so many other one-star ratings on this book, I can't believe most people gave it five-stars. What planet are they on? They deserve to be lied to and deceived if they like this book. It only goes to show how toxic misinformation is allowing ableism to spread like wildfire. It's a huge, huge problem in society. If I had my way, it should be banned all over the world.
And shame on the so-called doctor who contributed. He's nothing more than an overprivileged neurotypical know-it-all. I feel sorry for his kid too.
In fact, some stupid people commenting here claim people criticising it haven't even read the book. Well, I have and I hate it as much as I hate the authors. Someone even claimed we aren't considering the fact a doctor co-wrote it. Well, some doctors are dodgy and I'd say Dr Jerry is one of them.
Please consider the feelings of autistic people before you praise this book or say it's filled with useful information or say it's a "must-read". Autistic people are human beings who deserve respect, not exploitation like what's in this book.

[Bianca Scharff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great book it took me a while to read and get through because it is a very touchy subject for me personally and some of the information although broken down in an understandable way felt overwhelming at times. I took my time to finish reading it a few chapters at a time and am sad that I only heard about it because some people online were saying that this book was shunned. Either way the information was very helpful and gives you strength to pursue biomedical treatment. I recommend this for anyone feeling open minded who has a loved one, sibling or child with autism.

[Stephen Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is the word. Avoid sugar and thereby yeast production in body. Eat healthier. Add supplements into diet. Avoid toxic exposures. And the results should be a healthier life. There was so much good information in this book. Not only for kids, but about how to eat healthier and to live better as adults. In fact, there was so much information in this book that to do it justice, I will write an entire blog about it. Please look for my blog.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only got about halfway through this book. It seems to have excellent and detailed information. I do not have a child with autism and this was much more in depth than I was absorbing without actual application. Also I was listening while driving and I think this may be a better book to actually read.

[Stephie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the people reviewing this clearly haven't read the book. 🙈
As for the book itself, lots of good information, but still surprisingly mainstream and allopathic minded. Not what a holistic person, such as myself, would seek out.
More for a "scrunchy" mom.

[Lauren Shealy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t finish. Started weirding me out + then they started trying to sell me stuff so i bailed.

[James Sivers · Rating 1 out of 5]

🖕🏻 You can't erase us.

[Jostalady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am glad to have this information condensed in one place. I am still getting familiar with approaches for Autism and the ideas around this diagnosis. I am glad this book lays them out so clearly. The supplements section is going to be worth revisiting, and may make owning the book worthwhile.

I agree with other critisms that they take an overly aggressive stance against doctors. I am sure it is stemming from the personal experiences and one should not expect to find incompetence in every doctor they turn to regarding Autism. There is plenty of humor to combat that negative edge.

When I first read some of the ideas presented in this book, I thought there was no way anyone was really going to these lengths and for sure no one can scientifically back these desperate attempts to improve a child with Autism. I have since seen a lot of support for the gfcf diet, and supplements. I have since listened to an unrelated lecture that went even further off the traditional grid and encouraged using telepathy to reach these children. I am not a skeptic out of the box, but if you are going to lump things together that repel people with things they would have otherwise been open to, who are you helping? I am glad Jenny decided to draw the line where she did, although I am still highly unlikely to go the outer edge meaures until I have really exhausted everything.

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the complete encyclopedia of autism and what you can do to take back your child's health. As a healthcare provider myself, I am incredibly impressed with the quality of imformation in this book, as well as the exceptional manner in which Jenny and Dr. Jerry broke it down and made it easy for the non-medical person to understand.

This book is a beacon of light for parents who are frustrated by the medical establishment, and feel that they are not getting the answers they need or the help their child deserves. You can truly take your child's health into your own, capable hands when you arm yourself with this knowledge.

I began reading it while Lysander was being tested for autism, but it turns out he does not have it, simply speech and social development delays. However, I can imagine this book being a God-send for anyone struggling through autism with their beloved child. Highly recommend!

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must-read for ANY parent. I will warn you that the Q&A style is a bit annoying and Jenny McCarthy gets off track/annoying in some of her comments however, the Dr. gives sound advice backed by research. I believe there are diet and lifestyle guidelines in this book that would help any child get or stay healthy. This book made me feel very confident in some of my decisions and added to the regret I feel for some- however it gave real plans and ways to make up for past health mistakes. I believe the information in this book is a little mini-miracle for my daughter. I strongly recommend that any parent, particularly those of children with autism, ADD/HD, behavior problems, Turrets, OCD, or depression read this book- it may just change your life.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with information. Most of it I had heard or read about in other Autism books. The book reads like an interview and that part was a bit annoying. Most of the interventions the Doctor and Jenny wrote about are good ideas that parents should consider when treating autism. The book only talked about supplements and biomedical treatments. They mentioned in passing some other interventions and I think it is important to keep in mind that there are many behavioral therapies available to children with Autism that can help.
The book has a lot of information to get your pencil out and be ready to take notes. I would recommend this book to parents of children who are newly diagnosed with autism.

[Tracy Collier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good info, but there were points where I was listening to an infomercial about what products and supplements I needed to buy. I might have found more benefit if my son had more definitive symptoms. He's on the Spectrum but so high functioning that his symptoms aren't as evident as those discussed in this book. The biggest positive? If diet can alleviate symptoms, there is hope, and, your child will not need to remain on a restrictive diet forever to achieve these results (according to the authors).
As an audio-book, I don't recommend it. There are several parts that are in conversation form with the author and her doctor. Sort of confusing, and would read much better than it plays.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Prevention piece of this book begins on page 262 and is only 13 pages long, but many of the recommendations were not new to me for general healthy living and limiting toxins to your unborn baby. Although the writing style of the book (question and answer, with lots of jokes and comments) was not my ideal, it covered numerous biomedical treatments for children with autism. It reinforced the lengths and trials parents will go to help their children improve their health.

I wouldn't recommend it for anyone also reading it for information on Prevention.