This was the first book I ever read about Biomedical Treatments for Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Developmental Delay. It blew my mind, and now I'm quite used to reading biomedical books - but a couple of years ago I had to read it twice.
First, it gave me hope. Hope which was justified having tried some of the treatments with my dear one with autism. Hope is a wonderful thing, it dispels fear. Fear is a paralyser, the worst thing for a parent with a child with autism - you have to ACT. From being told I could do nothing for my boy, I could actually do something. That spearheaded me into other areas.
Mainstream medicine are not "into" these biomedical treatments on the whole. Odds on your GP has not heard of Jacqueline McCandless. However, on testing, and trying some of the approaches suggested in the book, I found many of them to be of immeasurable value to my son.
The book does, as one reviewer has noted here, have an "American" feel, quite naturally, but nevertheless is reasonably straightforward, and Jacqueline takes trouble to explain the science, also discussing her own granddaughter whom she candidly admits has been a hard nut to treat, and she is very sad that she has found much of her information in retrospect so Chelsey has not been able to benefit totally from her knowledge.
Well worth buying in my opinion - but not the Daddy of them all!
The one I wish I'd bought first - cost would have paid for itself - "Effective Biomedical Treatments" - Baker and Pangborn. This book would be on the bookshelf with it along with "Healing the 4A's" by Dr. Kenneth Bock.
If starting out on this journey, look at joining the ABE Yahoo! list, go to the "Treating Autism" and Generation Rescue sites for further information. There are many parents and friends of families doing well out there.
Good luck!