The Autism Puzzle (Paperback)

Belli moves beyond the distractions of the vaccine debate and presents compelling evidence that exposure to heavy metals and other chemicals, when paired with genetic susceptibilities, impacts the brain development of children.

The alarming spike in autism in recent years has sent doctors and parents on a search for answers. And while many controversies have erupted, none have brought us any closer to a definitive explanation. The Autism Puzzle is the first book to address the compelling evidence that it is the pairing of environmental exposures with genetic susceptibilities that may be driving these rising rates. Journalist Brita Belli brings us into the lives of three families with autistic children, each with different ideas about autism, as she explores the possible causes. She calls for an end to the use of hazardous materials like toxic flame retardants used in electronics and furniture that have been banned elsewhere, insisting that we cannot afford to experiment with our children. The Autism Puzzle puts a human face on the families caught between the debates and offers a refreshingly balanced environmentalist perspective.

BRITA BELLI is the editor of E - The Environmental Magazine--the largest independent magazine dedicated to green issues. She is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home and editor of EarthTalk: Expert Answers to Everyday Questions About the Environment. Her articles have appeared in Plenty Magazine, MSN.com, Treehugger.com, Fairfield Magazine, Colorado Springs Independent, Black & White City Paper, Illinois Times, and Monterey County Weekly. She maintains a blog on sports and the environment at www.PlayItGreen.com.