Reviews of Autism, Brain and Environment, by Richard Lathe. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London and Philadelphia, 2006. Publisher's website: Link
2007 BMA Medical Book Competition: "Commended".
Source	Review or fair extract	Link
ARC Cambridge; SBC.	"Richard Lathe has written a remarkable synthesis of the biomedical evidence relevant to understanding the causes of autism spectrum conditions. As an excellent scientist, he is concerned with achieving an objectivity in his review of a very large number of studies. .... There are few individuals with his grasp of the basic science who could have pulled off such a masterly review. .... His book will be of great value to researchers, as well as to parents or people with an autism spectrum condition, who are interested in a serious summary of the science of autism."
Autism is Treatable; No author listed.	"Lathe argues that many cases of autism could be caused by a genetically determined frailty in the body's biochemistry that makes it less able to deal with particular pollutants. So when the individual is exposed to toxins (even at levels that have no ill-effect on most of the population) their bodies cannot cope. If exposure is at a vulnerable stage of development (foetal, neonatal or at significant points in brain development) the toxins may cause damage to key areas of the brain."
Autism US; No author listed.	"Author Richard Lathe argues that environmental toxicity, when combined with genetic disposition, is one of the key factors in the ten-fold rise in incidence of autism in the last decade."
Brit. J. Neurosci. Nurs; S. Podmore	"It would be possible to pick up this book knowing nothing about autism or autistic spectrum disorders and come away with a good understanding of the features of the conditions and the diagnostic criteria. It is also possible to readily gain an appreciation of the genetic contribution - and likely environmental contribution - to the rise in the prevalence of these conditions." ... "This book would be likely to appeal to any professionals working with clients with autism or autistic spectrum disorders, as well as to the families and clients themselves. It raises new and interesting theories about the potential causes of autistic spectrum disorders, and is an informative resource."	Link
Brit. Inst. Learning Disabil; No author listed.	"A book which presents the controversial suggestion that increases in the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders over the past ten years is due to increasing levels of heavy metals in the environment."	Link
Current Awareness Service (BILD); No author listed.	"Full of powerful arguments in relation to the growth in diagnosis of autism, and proposing ini particular that autism is a disorder of the limbic brain and arises from increased exposure to environmental toxicity combined with genetic predisposition. This is an important book and one that deserves to promote wide debate."
Electronic Journal of Applied Psychology; Antony Underwood	"Richard Lathe's book provides a broad-ranging critique of research into autism and its possible causes. It spans the diagnosis, prevalence and incidence of autism before examining the possible causes of this intriguingly complex condition.... I particularly liked the format of the book and the depth of the reference material and I know it will be a useful addition to the libraries of those involved in this challenging area of autism research and treatment."	Link
Environmental Health Perspectives; G.C. Windham	"Thus the book provides a wealth of material to new researchers in the field and is bound to provide something of interest to experienced investigators because of the breadth covered."	Link
Food Matters; No author listed	"JKP continue to produce a regular stream of excellent books on or around the autistic spectrum. From their 2006 catalogue we chose: Autism, Brain and Environment, in which Richard Lathe argues that autism is a disorder of the limbic brain (involving the hippocampus and amygdala) which is damaged by environmental toxins, especialy heavy metals. Limbic brain damage may lead to physiological symptoms (gastrointestinal among others) which are intimately linked to the so-called psychiatric aspect of autism. A ground-breaking, inspiring and fascinating book for anyone involved in ASD."
Galton Institute Newsletter; P. James	"This densely informative book is a comfort to read. One can browse or follow through. The index is enormous and useful."	Link
Handicaps Info; No author listed.	"Dans ce livre novateur, l'auteur entend que cet accroissement de cas d'autism provient d'une exposition plus importante a la toxicite environnementale combinee a une predisposition genetique… Ce livre, precurseur dans le domaine, procure les arguments scientifiques en faveur de l'amelioration des facteurs environnementaux et physiologiques de l'autism."
Hum. Givens J; A. Austin	"His book is a 'must read' for anyone working in the field of human health and/or the specific areas mentioned above: he has brought together a vast body of international research, with clear implications for the understanding not only of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) but also Alzheimer's disease and many other disorders which adversely affect human emotions and the mental capacity of human beings. Such problems are all increasing in prevalence." ... "This book has really made me sit up"	Link
Independent; J. Laurence.	"Richard Lathe, author of Autism, Brain and Environment, argues many cases of autism may be caused by a genetically determined vulnerability of the brain to particular pollutants. When exposed to these toxins (even at levels that would have no effect on most people) during a vulnerable stage of development in the womb they may damage key areas of the brain."	Link
J.Biosocial.Sci; No author listed	"Autism, Brain and Environment engages with the wider scientific debate and is comprehensively researched... He makes a timely statement in calling for a wider examination of the profile of autism symptoms and for examining an environmental context."	Link
J.Intell.Disabil.Res; M. Roy	"This is an important book that brings together all the current issues in the aetiology of autistic disorders... This is a must-read book for trainees in psychiatry and paediatrics and for practitioners in the field."	Link
J.Norweg. Med. Assoc; K.R.Reichelt	"In conclusion this is a very readable book and is widely accessible to non-specialists. This is a excellent work of reference. It is down-to-earth in style and thesis and I am pleased to recommend it."
Lancet Neurol; M. Geier	"This book should be recommended reading by health-care providers and parents alike so as to encourage an expanded view of ASD beyond the idea that ASD is only a psychiatric disorder with unknown genetic causes to encompass other possibilities."	Link
Nature; F. Happé	"The claim that cases of ASD are on the increase is the first step in Richard Lathe ’s argument in Autism, Brain, and Environment. This is a story that many readers will find plausible, and which Lathe supports with some good synthesis of established autism research. But this is, overall, a scholarly book providing a possible explanation of autism. It will be of interest to parents as well as professionals."	Link
Psychology Teaching Review; S. Fletcher-Watson	"Lathe is clearly a trailblazer in the field of autism research. His attention to medical correlates of the disorder and focus on a biological account is a valuable contribution to the field."
(Source not known); B. Walley, Consultant Clinical Psychologist	"I would recommend this book to psychlogists working in the field of ASD who want a clear and well-argued introduction to a subject which although undoubtably controversial deserves serious attention."
J. Roy. Soc. Promotion of Health;D. Lane	"The argument is concisely presented, extensively referenced and made easy to follow to its conclusion.... Overall this is an important book, well argued and referenced. It should be read by all concerned with ASD".	Link
Times; J. Rix	"Lathe argues that many cases of autism could be caused by a genetically determined frailty in the body's biochemistry that makes it less able to deal with particular pollutants. So when the individual is exposed to toxins (even at levels that have no ill-effect on most of the population) their bodies cannot cope. If exposure is at a vulnerable stage of development (foetal, neonatal or at significant points in brain development) the toxins may cause damage to key areas of the brain."	Link
Trends Cogn. Sci; E. Hill.	"This attempt to link environmental and biological factors is an important endeavour and one advocated by the causal modelling approach to understanding neurodevelopmental disorders, proposed initially by Morton and Frith.... Lathe's focus on the limbic system and genetic factors fits into the biological level of description within Morton's causal modelling approach."	Link
University of Kentucky; B. Haley.	"This book should be required reading for any practitioner who is involved in treating children with autism spectrum disorders.."