Sears' book is one among several "complete" guides to autism for parents new to the disorder. It includes sections on diagnosis, causes and treatments and, like other books in the same genre, it includes information about the importance of early diagnosis, intensive treatment, speech therapy and other generally agreed-upon recommendations. He describes a variety of well-known treatments including Applied Behavior Analysis, Floortime, Relationship Development Intervention and TEACCH. He recommends that parents seek out sensory integration therapy, as well as social skills training, for their children with autism.
Unlike most books about autism written by credentialed pediatricians, however, Sears' book is really about so-called "biomedical" interventions. Through a variety of nutritional and pharmaceutical treatments, some benign and some risky, he believes that parents can not only treat but cure autism. What's more, contrary to mainstream medical opinion and existing scientific research, he suggests that it is possible to prevent autism by engaging in or avoiding certain prenatal activities (taking plenty of vitamin D, avoiding mercury in fish, etc.) and being sure your baby or toddler eats certain types of foods, takes certain supplements, and avoids certain vaccines and other presumed toxins.
Sears, to give him credit, is perfectly straightforward about the fact that biomedical approaches to autism treatment are based not on research but on individual trial and error based on guesses about the possible causes of autism. "The world of biomedical treatments for autism...," he says, "theorizes about the causes and jumps right into treatment." What that means, of course, is that he - and those who espouse the biomedical approach to autism treatment - take a guess about what might have caused your child's autism, and then devise treatments that, in theory, will alleviate the presumed issue. In some cases, the treatment may be harmless to your child; in other cases there are risks involved. In all cases, of course, time, money, energy and hope are spent on treatments that are unlikely to be - but COULD be - appropriate for your child.
What makes this approach particularly difficult for parents to evaluate is the the reality that almost any child with autism, given time, education, love and support, will gain new skills. So, like the patient with a cold who is treated inappropriately with antibiotic, your child will get better - but the treatment may be - or may NOT be - relevant to the positive change. Meanwhile, your child (and you) will be experimenting with special diets, supplements, chelation (removal of metals from the body through the use of drugs or lotions) - and your child will not be receiving vaccines which COULD be problematic but are far more likely to be protective.
In his section describing prevention, Sears is once again straightforward in explaining that few doctors feel comfortable discussing the subject - since the causes of autism are not understood. He goes on the explain that he believes, nevertheless, that autism CAN be prevented: "I believe that prevention is possible by minimizing or eliminating as many biomedical factors as we can, from preconception through the first several years of life."
Since there are no studies which back Sears' personal belief in prevention through biomedical means, he cites none; he simply states his belief and then goes on to describe an entire regimen for mothers to be and for infants and toddlers which, he says, will prevent autism. Sears says the regimen is "definitely worth it," but cites no evidence to support his point of view. Again, some of his recommendations are good common sense (prenatal vitamins, a healthy diet, avoiding mercury and potential toxins). Others, such as avoidance of vaccines, are potentially risky indeed.
As is probably evident from what I've written above, I can't recommend this book as a blueprint for autism treatment, cure or prevention. In fact, so far as I am aware, there is no effective treatment for autism cure or prevention. Despite this reality, many children DO improve dramatically, sometimes losing their autism spectrum diagnosis. Some such children appear to "outgrow" their autism; others build skills using behavioral or developmental therapies. Still others, at least according to anecdotal evidence, are "recovered" as a result of special diets.
Should you follow the advice in Sears' book? There are many sections that I'd heartily endorse, particularly those that focus on behavioral and developmental treatments, educational options and play therapy. Overall, however, as Sears himself makes clear, this book is a collection of opinions supported by anecdotal evidence - or, at times, on no evidence at all. As a result, I can't recommend The Autism Book as a good choice for parents new to autism.
