Transform Your Understanding of Autism, ADHD & Neurodevelopment

“In Total Load Theory, Patricia Lemer masterfully expands her groundbreaking framework to address not just autism but a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders—from ADHD and learning disabilities to sensory processing issues and mental health challenges. Lemer illuminates how an endless barrage of environmental insults can trigger genetic and epigenetic changes that undermine and overwhelm our bodies' capacity to methylate and detoxify the massive toxic load we face daily. For years, Patty has been an invaluable interviewer for my organization, the Autism Research Coalition. Her knowledge is deep and wide. She is a beacon of truth and sanity for desperate parents, and this book cements her legacy as a visionary guide to healing and prevention.”

“Patricia Lemer's Total Load Theory is an extraordinary resource for parents navigating autism, ADHD, learning challenges, and mental health struggles. Building on the brilliance of Outsmarting Autism, this new book goes deeper—shining light on the hidden stressors that contribute to a child's struggles and offering practical, holistic strategies to reduce the total load. It's insightful, thorough, and deeply rooted in decades of hands-on experience. I've purchased Outsmarting Autism for every single client I've ever worked with—because it's that essential. Parents tell me it's the most dog-eared, underlined, and trusted book on their shelf. And I'll be doing the same with Total Load Theory. Patty continues to set the gold standard—and this book is another generous gift to families everywhere.”

“Patricia Lemer's new book crucially expands on the concept of 'total load theory.' It represents the culmination of Patty's long and impressive career in counseling and advocacy for children who are labeled but not well understood. She makes very useful distinctions between genetics and environmental load factors as stressors and as opposed to societal load factors. Whereas the former includes susceptibility to toxic elements in food and in the air, the latter features stressors that can provide an unbearable load in the physical, educational, language, and emotional domains. This book is a wonderful addition to the library of any parent or professional looking to reduce load factors from prior conception and throughout the lifespan.”

“Patricia Lemer has done it again! In this, the fourth and latest of a series of well researched and comprehensive books, she gives actionable steps to remediate and care for those clearly overburdened in our society. Ms. Lemer has been committed to addressing vision concerns due to its importance for so many areas of life. She gives a clear overview of vision and the visual skills needed for moving, learning, thinking, and engaging with our world in such a way that parents and professionals can easily understand and appreciate the necessity of addressing deficits in visual skill development. She outlines the ways to identify vision difficulties and gives the resources to help, including the appropriate vision evaluation and treatment using the optometric power tools of lenses, prisms, colored light filters, and vision therapy.”

“Total Load Theory reveals a profound truth: It's not just one factor that overwhelms a child, but the cumulative burden of many stressors, that creates what Patricia Spear Lemer calls the 'Total Load.' In this groundbreaking book, Lemer brings clarity, compassion, and decades of expertise to one of today's most urgent challenges: understanding and supporting children with autism and other complex neurological conditions. Rather than viewing autism as a fixed label, she reframes it as the body and brain's response to an overload of stressors—an insight that opens new pathways to healing. Drawing on her extensive clinical experience, Lemer provides a roadmap for identifying root causes and relieving the total load. Her approaches empower parents and practitioners to move beyond symptom management toward integrative strategies that foster resilience and recovery. More than just a theory, Total Load Theory is a beacon of hope. With warmth, wisdom, and an unwavering belief in every child's potential, Lemer shows families that healing is not only possible—it's within reach.”

“This book offers a refreshing and empowering perspective on autism and other childhood developmental disorders. By introducing the Total Load Theory, it helps parents and professionals alike understand the complex interplay of genetics, environment, and lifestyle in shaping a child's health. I am in awe of Patricia Lemer. At 80 years old, she has poured her heart, her decades of wisdom, and her life's work into this incredible book. As a parent, I am so grateful for the way she asks the tough 'why' questions about childhood developmental disorders—and then goes further to offer clear, practical answers and treatment options. This book feels like a gift and a legacy of knowledge that will guide families for years to come. Patricia's dedication and passion shine through every page, and her work gives parents like me both hope and direction on how to truly help our children thrive.”

“In Total Load Theory, Patricia Lemer distills decades of clinical acumen, scholarly rigor, and human empathy into a work of rare scope and clarity. With a masterful command of both science and storytelling, she reframes the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, societal, and physiological stressors into a coherent and actionable framework that has the power to transform lives. Lemer's expansion of the Total Load model beyond autism to encompass the full spectrum of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric challenges is both visionary and urgently needed. Every chapter is meticulously constructed, moving seamlessly from foundational science, spanning polyvagal theory, immunology, toxicology, and the microbiome, to pragmatic, evidence-based interventions that restore function and resilience. What sets this book apart is its capacity to speak to both the clinician seeking depth and the caregiver seeking hope, bridging the gap between technical mastery and deep human healing. Total Load Theory is not just a book, it is a landmark contribution to the fields of developmental neuroscience and integrative health, and a guide for anyone committed to dismantling the barriers to optimal human potential.”

“Patricia Lemer has devoted her life to serving children with special needs, bringing not only deep expertise but also unwavering compassion. I have never met anyone with Patricia's breadth of knowledge, experience, and heart. For years, families have struggled to navigate the overwhelming maze of 'Total Load' factors affecting health. In Total Load Theory, Patty not only distills this complexity into clear, actionable guidance—she also offers an AI interface to answer your questions and gently guide you, step by step, toward healing and hope. This book is more than information—it's a lifeline for anyone on the journey to recovery.”

“If there was one book I would recommend to parents of children with autism, ADHD, or other developmental delays, it would be this one! Patricia painstakingly leaves no stone unturned, when researching to find the root cause of symptoms. After having applied many of the things I learned from reading Patricia Lemer's books, my son is now a thriving, happy, and confident highschooler, free of many of the symptoms he once had!”

“A magnificent read! Total Load Theory is the only book you need to understand the epidemic of our time. Patricia Lemer has put together the most comprehensive source in a beautiful blend of history and science touching on all the biomedical modalities providing the much needed healing and improvement in quality of life for our children. There is no better title that describes how toxicity affects ADHD, LD, SPD, and our overall health and mental states. Patricia is a fierce advocate known throughout the community for her unparalleled experience and counsel. I'm so very happy to know and learn from her.”

“Total Load Theory is both inspiring and empowering. Patricia Lemer uncovers the hidden stressors behind today's epidemic of childhood health and developmental challenges and offers a clear, actionable path to healing. This book is essential for professionals committed to whole-person care and for families seeking hope, answers, and lasting solutions for their children.”