Understanding Controversial Therapies for Children With Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Other Learning Disabilities: A Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Kurtz, a pediatric occupational therapist gives parents reasons to consider complementary and alternative medicine approaches in the treatment of special needs children, then describe such alternative medical systems as acupuncture and acupressure, ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy and osteopathy. She lists and describes mind-body interventions such as aromatherapy and animal-assisted therapy, commercially-available therapies, sign language and video modeling, then describes biologically based interventions, manipulative and body-based methods such as massage and reflexology. With each entry she details how the therapy or intervention relates to learning disabilities and concludes with lists of resources, including recommended reading. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Lisa A. Kurtz is a pediatric occupational therapist and reading specialist, and has worked with children with special needs for over 33 years. She currently works at the Jameson Elementary School in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and was formerly Director of Occupational Therapy for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Children's Seashore House. For her contributions to training others about children with disabilities, Lisa has been placed on the Roster of Fellows and was awarded the Recognition of Achievement Award by the American Occupational Therapy Association. She is the author of Visual Perception Problems in Children with AD/HD, Autism, and Other Learning Disabilities, and Understanding Motor Skills in Children with Dyspraxia, ADHD, Autism, and Other Learning Disabilities, both published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.