Editorial Review
In the midst of a worldwide epidemic of autism, ADD, and ADHD, this book is a message of hope to parents embarking on the challenging journey of finding proper medical care for their Autism Spectrum Disorder children. Genetic susceptibility activated by "triggers" such as pesticides and heavy metals in vaccines can lead to immune system impairment, gut dysfunction, and pathogen invasion such as yeast and viruses in many children.
This is the first book written by an experienced clinician that gives a step-by-step treatment guide for parents and doctors based on the understanding that ASD is a complex biomedical illness resulting in significant brain malnutrition. Dr. McCandless, whose grandchild with autism has inspired her "broad spectrum approach," describes important diagnostic tools needed to select appropriate treatment programs. Her book explains major therapies newly available and identifies safe and effective options for parents and physicians working together to improve the health of these special children.
Now in a second edition, the book has new material and includes an index.
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Customer Reviews
Clear science, clear explanation for parents or anyone who cares for an Autistic/ASD child 
2008-03-19
Anyone who cares for an autistic child should read this book. Pediatricians, parents, anyone. (PERIOD)
Along with the "Changing the Course of Autism: A Scientific Approach for Parents and Physicians" by Bryan Jepson, this is the best scientific grounding a parent can find for understanding and treating autistic children -- they are both designed to be scientifically justifiable, suitable for pediatricians and other professionals who need to understand the current diagnoses and current treatment options.
There is NO "hype" here; no easy answers; just strong science and experience in treating autism spetrum disorders (ASD, e.g., Autism, Asperger, ADD/ADHD, PDD).
According to the author: Some children can and will lose their diagnoses and recover. Many will improve a great deal. Most will get some help. And she is honest enough to say -- and you need to know -- a few will see little or no improvement with the current knowledge and methods.
She understands that medical testing can be stressful to both the child and the budget so recommends as many tests as the PATIENT history and the budget and insurance will support, but always with an eye towards reducing the stress on the child and doing only tests that indicate a good "cost/benefit" ratio.
Genetics almost certainly play a role but most researchers and treating physicians are working from a "genetic predisposition" and environmental triggers being the commonality that sets off the condition. These triggers my include infections or other environmental insults to infants and children.
Gut disorders are present in most of the ASD patients (until treated) but no one (including the author) knows if these are the cause or the result -- still they almost certainly aggrevate the conditions and at best lead to discomfort for a child who may have trouble communicating the pain of stomach and intestinal distress.
Mercury MAY play a role whether introduced from vaccines (controversial as a cause but clearly recommended prior to 2001 in excess of any proven "safety" level ), or in other ways such as maternal dental fillings, maternal innoculations, paint (prior to 1991 INDOOR house paint contained Mercury), fish, and other introductions into the environment.
Other heavy metals likewise -- anitmony is used in flame retardent clothing and who doesn't dress a baby and decorate the nursery with that?
Auto-immune and immune/allergic responses may contribute or be the triggers that allow toxins to be ingested.
She describes her diagnostic and treatment strategies in serious detail.
Rather than continue with some of the ideas, let me end by saying this book is extremely READABLE and FACTUAL.
Buy it; read it; use it to make sure you are getting the best possible advice and treatment.
A MUST READ for parents with autism in their lives 2008-01-15
A MUST read for any parent of an austic child, no matter how high functioning or low functioning - this book can help you. This book started us on the road to recovery- already the changes in my little boy are awesome and keep getting better. The austism epidemic is skyrocketing. There is a reason for it. This book explains it and tells you how to treat it..best of all it will give you hope that you really can help your child! PLEASE read this book. It is easy to read, non judgemental and has given us hope for the first time in 2 years that our child can come out of this. Heck, read it even if you don't have an ASD (autism spectrum disorder) child in your life...it's that important!
Children with Starving Brains - book 2008-01-07
"Children with Starving Brains" is an excellent book for anyone looking for alternate ways to help their special child. It is very thorough and easy to read and understand. I know I will be refering to it often.
I am an adult who is HFA 
2007-12-12
High Functioning Autistic, for those who aren't yet familiar with the terminology. I have an adult diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, despite the fact that echolalia was my primary form of communication until I was 8, and I couldn't form a sentence on my own until that age.
I enjoy being who I am, and I view autism as an essential part of my personality. I do not want to be "cured". That does not mean I do not want any of my symptoms to go away. I should add that this is more a review of the treatment approach recommended by the book than of the book itself.
I started experimenting with the biomedical approach to treating myself 5 years ago. I began with what is basically the Feingold Diet - removing all artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. I stopped having seizures (except for one time, when I accidentally had some Yellow #5 and began seizing about half an hour later, I went through everything I ate and drank that day two days later after staying in bed before finding the trigger). It helped me a lot with issues of emotional lability (sudden changes in mood). I also started to sleep a little bit better, and lost 15 pounds of the extra weight I had gained (I weighed 185 when I first started with biomedical approaches).
Fast forward two years. I was happy with what I had gained from Feingold, and read Lisa Lewis' book on GFCF diet and found myself. As a child, I had consumed a gallon or more of milk per day, and as an adult, still ate cheese or yoghurt on a daily basis. Giving up all milk products allowed me to start looking people in the eyes for the first time in my life, notice facial expressions (though not process what they mean), and removed a lot of the haziness I had always experienced.
Almost two years ago, I went gluten free as well. I didn't notice any major improvements... although I did start reading body language a little better. What I did notice is that about 3 months after I went gluten free I broke out all over my body, a good sign of toxin release in me... and that attempted reintroduction and later accidental exposure to gluten made me feel extremely ill. The last time I accidentally had some gluten, I broke out in open sores all over my body. The other thing is that all the vitamins I had been taking finally started to do me some good, probably because I was absorbing them for the first time ever. Due to my symptomology, I highly suspect I have had undiagnosed Celiac disease for my entire life...
About a year ago, I removed soy. I didn't notice any improvements from it, but when I tried to reintroduce any soy, found it caused severe intestinal problems. Accidental consumption of soy tends to lead to me spending the rest of the day in the bathroom. Incidentally, I dropped 15 pounds more.
I "accidentally" ended up removing eggs, then found out that they made me feel sick when I reintroduced them, and also caused some intestinal issues.
Another "accidental" removal - nuts. I just didn't feel like eating anything with nuts for a while, and when I had a product containing nuts a couple months later, I had some absence seizures the following day. Tried repeating it with a different nut several months ago, had the same side effect. I also lost 15 pounds.
I'm still working on getting the mercury amalgam out of my mouth, so I can't say too much about it.
However, I had SEVERE lead poisoning - to the point where I had to have my cataracts removed when I was 30. I underwent oral chelation with DMSA (supplemented with potassium, zinc, calcium, and magnesium, to help offset any possible negative effects), and had some definite increases in attention span and ability to sleep. These were temporary, but helpful at the time. I plan do another couple rounds of DMSA after I finish getting the amalgam fillings out of my mouth.
If I forget to take my EFAs I tend to stutter and ticque more. I take about 1500 mcgs of B12 every day, and have a hard time even getting out of bed without it. I take megadoses of several other vitamins, some mineral supplements, and etc., but those are the most obviously helpful.
My current weight is a relatively healthy 133 pounds, from a starting high of 185. Not a bad side-effect, though not one I was intending.
So, for those of you who discount the biomedical treatments, give them a truly serious try with your child before you blow it off. If nothing else, it can't hurt and might help, which is a lot better than what I can say about the psychiatric medications that are available. I admit to being fanatic enough that I even read the ingredient lists of my shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, lotion, and other "external" use products, but have found that gluten, soy, and artificial ingredients in these negatively affect my health. Good luck, and I sincerely hope your children don't have as many sensitivities as I do.
Too technical/medical, not a practical one 
2007-11-25
This is probably good for medical student. For parent, the whole book can be reduced to 10-20 pages.
Children with starving brains 2007-10-24
In the midst of a worldwide epidemic of autism, ADD, and ADHD, this book is a message of hope to parents embarking on the challenging journey of finding proper medical care for their Autism Spectrum Disorder children. Genetic susceptibility activated by "triggers" such as pesticides and heavy metals in vaccines can lead to immune system impairment, gut dysfunction, and pathogen invasion such as yeast and viruses in many children.
This is the first book written by an experienced clinician that gives a step-by-step treatment guide for parents and doctors based on the understanding that ASD is a complex biomedical illness resulting in significant brain malnutrition. Dr. McCandless, whose grandchild with autism has inspired her "broad spectrum approach," describes important diagnostic tools needed to select appropriate treatment programs. Her book explains major therapies newly available and identifies safe and effective options for parents and physicians working together to improve the health of these special children.
Now in a second edition, the book has new material and includes an index.
a true must have 2007-07-10
We began intensive bio med treatment a year ago. Reading this book brought a easy understanding to the path we were about to go down. Aside from all the black and white information there was the human side. I did not feel as if someone that wrote this didn't get our world. They lived it and their need to help their grandchild made me see how my parents must look at my son.
The information I read was a driving force behind my decision to move forward with chelation, B12, and all the other pieces to my son's treatment. I needed this guide to get eveyone else on board as well. it helps family and friends understand what we live every day.
My bible for biomedical treatment of ASD 2007-03-10
This book is utterly invaluable in determining how your child became damaged and more importantly how to undo the damage. I have recommended this book to dozens of parents of children on the spectrum and it is always top of my book list in how to help/cure your child with autism.
NEW 3rd EDITION NOW AVAILABLE 2007-03-04
This second edition of Children With Starving Brains is now out of print. The NEW 3rd Edition is now available.
Great reference book 2006-11-10
This book is great for anyone treating autism with biomedical interventions. Dr. McCandless explains the various treatments in a clear and concise manner. Whenever our doctor prescribes a treatment for our children with autism, I refer to this book for details.
