Book: Changing the Course of Autism by Bryan Jepson, M.D. with Jane Johnson Price: $18.95 A once rare disease, autism is now a worldwide epidemic affecting 1.8 million American children, making it the most common developmental disability—more common than Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation combined. Autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade. The Center for Disease Control just released studies showing that at present, 1 in 150 children in the U. S. have been diagnosed with the disease. Changing the Course of Autism has the potential to revolutionize the way autism is perceived and managed. Most books on this subject describe educational and behavioral therapies, but autism is a medical disease, not a psychological disorder. This groundbreaking books shows that the disease can be treated by reducing the neurological inflammation that is part of the disease process, rather than simply masking the symptoms with drugs like Ritalin and Prozac. The authors have seen autistic behaviors improve dramatically or disappear completely with appropriate medical treatment. The book reviews the medical literature regarding the biological nature of the disease, including the potential connection between vaccines and autism. This book builds a bridge between the medical profession and parents who are angry at the rise in this disease and the way it is treated. It is the only book on this subject written by an M.D. who is also the parent of an autistic child. In 2001, the second son of BRYAN JEPSON, M.D. was diagnosed with autism. Over the course of that year, he and his wife Laurie began exploring treatment options and found that the medical community knew very little about the cause, the treatment, or the prognosis of this disease. After a year of research, the couple established the non-profit Children’s Biomedical Center of Utah. There autistic children could receive the most up-to-date care available. From 2002-2005, Dr. Jepson treated hundreds of children on the autism spectrum and the clinic raised awareness throughout the intermountain West concerning issues related to autism and other childhood developmental disorders.