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Tina Calabro,
September 11, 2008, Pittsburg Post Gazette
For more than 30 years, education counselor Patricia Lemer has
been helping parents of children with developmental delays
understand conventional and holistic treatments and determine
which are the best fit for each child.
A new book she edited, "EnVISIONing a Bright Future:
Interventions that Work for Children and Adults with Autism
Spectrum Disorders" (Optometric Extension Program), brings her
distinctive brand of guidance to a wider audience.
Ms. Lemer, is co-founder and executive director of Developmental
Delay Resources, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the
integration of conventional and holistic therapies for children
with developmental delays and disabilities.
Ms. Lemer has a master's of education in counseling and learning
disabilities from Boston College and a master's in business from
Johns Hopkins University. The Squirrel Hill native is a
nationally certified counselor and lecturer who has worked in
Washington, D.C.
Ms. Lemer's book focuses on the needs of children with autism
spectrum disorders and related diagnoses, such as attention
deficit and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
It provides an overview of these conditions, theories about
causes and information on nearly 50 conventional and holistic
treatments, ranging from traditional therapy to newer offerings
such as Brain Gym, behavioral optometry and neurofeedback.
"Prioritizing is a big part of what parents need to do," Ms.
Lemer said. "Parents are a market. Everyone can justify why the
particular therapy they offer is needed."
Descriptions of these treatments were "meticulously compiled,"
she added. "I'm not pro or con anything. I just want to educate
families so they can choose and prioritize appropriate
interventions."
But after three-plus decades of working with children with
learning problems, Ms. Lemer said she has arrived at core
understandings that guide her work. She believes that
environment plays an important role in the vast number of
children who are diagnosed with autism and related disorders.
One chapter of the book is devoted to an explanation of the
Total Load theory, which proposes that an accumulation of
toxins, stress and other factors may trigger autism. The
relationship between vaccines and autism are discussed.
Studies have shown that toxins are passed from mother to unborn
child, Ms. Lemer said. Prevention, therefore, is an important
part of her message. She urges men and women of childbearing age
to understand that their world is more toxic than ever.
"Clean up your life," she said. "Every product you use, up it a
notch. Go to green or natural, buy local, buy in season."
On the treatment side, Ms. Lemer is a strong proponent of
interventions that address underlying causes rather than
symptoms. Several chapters are devoted to biomedical, sensory
and other approaches, including therapies that address how the
brain processes visual information -- an area she has been
involved with for several years.
For information about "EnVISIONing a Bright Future," contact the
Optometric Extension Program Foundation at oep.store.
excerpo.com or 949-250-8070. For more on developmental delay
resources: devdelay.org or call 412-422-3373.
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