KIRKUS REVIEW
Reasonable suggestions from the orthomolecular school on nutritional measures that could be of aid to children with the range of behavioral and cognitive disorders called learning disabilities. Cott, an orthomolecular psychiatrist, regards such learning disabilities as catastrophic: if they are not corrected in childhood, many sufferers ""will go on to a career of crime. . . Their anti-social or withdrawn behavior will make them prone to job dismissals, social rejection, and accidents."" This hyperbole done with, Cott adopts a more measured tone in presenting his program. Initially, there may be need for traditional medical treatment of, for instance, hyperactive disorders (in the form of tranquilizers). But lasting improvement, says Cott, can only come with elimination of sugar from the diet, along with artificial colors and flavors, and treatment with vitamin and mineral combinations. Cott explains the basis for such a regimen in simple terms, and offers several success stories by way of example. This is not meant, however, as a self-help guide (""The child must have tests and a personal consultation before a program can be tailored to his specific needs""); treatment resources are included, in an area in which traditional medical treatment has not had much to offer, Cott's program does raise possibilities: whatever the results, no harm will come of looking into it.