Bock Kenneth - Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders

CONTENTS

PART ONE
NEW PROBLEMS, NEW SOLUTIONS

PART TWO
THE FOUR NEW CHILDHOOD EPIDEMICS AND THEIR CONNECTIONS

1. AUTISM
CHAPTER FOUR MYSTERIES AND MIRACLES

2. ADHD
CHAPTER SEVEN BRAT GIRLS AND BAD BOYS

3. ASTHMA
CHAPTER TEN LITTLE ANGEL

4. ALLERGIES
CHAPTER THIRTEEN LIFE AND DEATH

PART THREE
THE HEALING PROGRAM

For Marjorie Harvey,
a wonderful mother, wife, sister, and aunt,
with love.

C AMERON S TAUTH

For Bernard Rimland, Ph.D.,
the father of the biomedical approach to autism,
who paved the way for the recoveries of thousands of children.

For Elizabeth Liz Birt
who dedicated her life to recovering her child from autism,
and to uncovering the truth behind the autism epidemic.

and

For my children, Alicia and Jordan,
and for all children and parents,
and the love between them,
which is the ultimate healing force.

K ENNETH B OCK, M.D.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

THE AUTHORS GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE HELP OF THE MANY people who played critically important roles in the creation of this book.

Caroline Sutton, Senior Editor of Ballantine Books, was the perfect editor for this project. She was completely in tune with all that we wished to accomplish, and made our highest hopes for this book into reality. Thanks also to her able assistant, Christina Duffy.

Agent Matthew Guma conceived this project, and brought every element of it together. His vision, commitment, and effort lie at the heart of the book.

Richard Pine, of Inkwell Management, was incredibly supportive, as he has been for so many years. Thanks also to Inkwells David Forrer.

Korri Fink, our director of research, was vitally important in the interviewing and document evaluation process of the book, and her work, under difficult circumstances, added a depth and dimension to the book it would otherwise have lacked.

Sandra Stahl, once again, was extraordinarily valuable as the word and information processor of the book. As usual, she worked with the ethic of excellence that has enabled her to excel in so many areas.

Gabriel Stauth helped a great deal with research and was the lead technical and computer advisor in the production of the manuscript. His assistance was invaluable, and deeply appreciated.

Bonnie Sgarro was extremely helpful in literature research, and her assistance and timeliness were much appreciated.

Melissa Starnes was exceptionally helpful in bringing together the many diverse elements that result in a finished book, and the authors are grateful for her acumen and good cheer.

A large number of patients, parents, other family members, doctors, and therapists offered their insights and personal accounts, with remarkable candor and perception. Without their help, this book would not exist. More than that, the work and courage of these kids and families inspired not just a book, but a new way of saving childrens lives.

DR. BOCKS PERSONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In addition to the terrific help that we received from the people who were most intimately involved with the creation of this book, most notably Caroline Sutton and Matthew Guma, I wish also to thank those who have been vitally important in the development of the biomedical approach to autism and the other 4-A disorders.

The knowledge I have gained evolved out of years of meetings with researchers, clinicians, and many dedicated parents, all of whom were looking for answers to the puzzle of autism. Many of these encounters came in the form of think tanks and conferences that were organized by the Defeat Autism Now organization, which is sponsored by the Autism Research Institute. I am deeply grateful to DAN, ARI, and to the parents, patients, and colleagues with whom I have worked.

Although I generally refer to my individualized rendition of the DAN protocol as my own approach, or as the Healing Program, I believe that many other DAN physicians could have written this book, based upon their own similar clinical approaches, experiences, and ideas. These physicians include dedicated, caring, experienced DAN doctors such as Sid Baker, Stephanie Cave, Jane El-Dahr, Anju Usman, Jeff Bradstreet, John Green, Jaquelyn McCandless, Liz Mumper, Nancy OHara, Andrew Levinson, Stuart Freedenfeld, James Neubrander, Cindy Schneider, Paul Hardy, Mary Megson, Jerry Kartzinel, Derrick Lonsdale, Bryan Jepson, and Marvin Boris.

Jaquelyn McCandless has already written a very helpful book about autism, Children with Starving Brains, and Sid Baker, in concert with the brilliant nutritional biochemist, Jon Pangborn, has written a comprehensive treatment manual entitled Autism: Effective Biomedical Treatments, a book that I recommend if you are looking for additional details. Although biochemically complex, many parts of the book are written in that incredible, reader-friendly Sid Baker style.

I particularly wish to thank Sid Baker for being my mentor in the early 1980s, after I finished my residency. He and I were part of a group of approximately twenty-five physicians in the Northeast who met regularly to advance our own knowledge, and to help further the approaches of nutritional biochemistry, clinical nutrition, and integrative medicine. Sids approach to caring for patients contributed strongly to my becoming what we both now refer to as a medical detective. Sid taught me to never cease investigating the complex issues that comprise medical problems. When I reunited with him in the late 1990s, as part of the DAN movement, it was intellectually rewarding and emotionally satisfying.

I must also acknowledge the researchers who have provided us with the scientific backbone that is the basis of our clinical work. These incredible people include Jill James, who is one of the smartest and loveliest people one might ever meet, as well as my estimable colleagues Richard Deth, Martha Herbert, Tim Buie, Arthur Krigsman, and Andrew Wakefield. Thanks also to Paul Shattock, who is so dedicated to helping spread the message that autism is treatable, and is one of the funniest and most likable people I have ever met.

Special thanks go to Lauren Underwood for her work in our early collaboration on healing autism. She was also instrumental in bringing together the group of people who brought this book to fruition.

With great admiration, I also thank Bernie Rimland, the father of the biomedical approach to the treatment of autism, who initially stood up alone for what he knew to be true. I am also grateful to his assistant, Steve Edelson, whose continued support of Bernie has helped this movement grow.

Maureen McDonnell, of Wellness Associates, has produced some of the most amazing conferences that I have ever had the good fortune to be part of, and was extremely supportive of me early on, as I became part of the DAN family, and I wish to thank her for that.

Many thanks also go to my partner and brother, Steven Bock, as well as to our associate, Michael Compain, for supporting our medical practice while I was away so frequently. Thanks, too, to my cousin, neurologist Jay Lombard, for teaching me so much about the clinical use of neurobehavioral medications.

I am also appreciative of my colleagues in the American College for Advancement in Medicine, which is my other medical home. I have been honored to serve as president of ACAM over the past year, as I have long been keenly aware of the value that the physicians in this group do to advance education and research in the field of integrative medicine.

Most important, I give my thanks and my love to my family, who too often have had to bear the effects of my absence. My medical practice, my lecturing, clinical research, think-tank activities, responsibilities for ACAM, and my work on this book have often left me with too little time for those I wish most to be with. Marian, Alicia, and Jordan, I love you all, and I thank you for your understanding and support. I know its not easy.