Total Load Theory - by Patricia S Lemer (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

About one in six children and many adults are diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders. What causes autism, attention, learning disabilities, and anxiety?

Patricia Lemer answers that question with a new paradigm: "Total Load Theory." This etiology fingers not a single cause, but rather a complex combination of biological, environmental, immunological, neurological, psychological, and toxicological load factors.

Lemer provides an in-depth description of underlying stressors and how they accumulate, causing sensory, motor, language, social-emotional, and other symptoms, leading to a diagnosis. By applying this roadmap, families and practitioners can learn how to maximize function in their loved ones and patients.

Reversing poor lifestyle choices around diet, sleep, exercise, along with returning traumatized nervous systems to feeling safe are all crucial. Next steps include enhancing digestion, and immune and endocrine function. Lemer addresses the role of the sensory processing, with an emphasis on vision. She also looks at improving problematic dental structure and function.

The book moves into enhancing language and social-emotional areas at all ages. How these higher-level areas depend on neurological, biological, and sensory integrity are described in detail. The exciting new use of letterboards for communication can be life-changing.

Several chapters on future planning include options for education, supervised living, employment, and finances. The book ends with a chapter for prospective parents on reducing load factors from preconception.

The future is calling. We must act now, and this book is the perfect guide.

Review Quotes

Praise for Total Load Theory

From the Medical Community

"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."

--Christian Bogner, MD, FACOG, CFMNP, and cofounder, Researched Elements LLC & Autism is Biomedical, Inc.

"A well-organized and passionately written book offering a multidimensional exploration of the potential and multifactorial causes of neurodevelopmental disorders. Patricia S. Lemer presents a comprehensive synthesis of both Eastern and Western healing modalities, equipping families and caregivers with practical tools and informed perspectives. With deep compassion and clarity, she helps readers navigate the complexities of our increasingly toxic, fast-paced, and electromagnetic world, empowering them to make informed choices for healing and prevention."

--Dr. Rob Brown, diagnostic radiologist and fellow of the American College of Radiology, vice president for Scientific Research and Clinical Affairs, the Environmental Health Trust

"Total Load Theory brings together her decades of dedication to supporting individuals and families. It offers a wide-ranging look at how genetics, environment, nutrition, sensory development, communication, and life skills all play a role in health and learning. This comprehensive resource provides practical strategies and fresh perspectives for those seeking to better understand and support neurodiverse individuals."

--Emily Gutierrez, DNP, CPNP, APRN, PMHS, CCN, IFMCP

"Children with autism often face more than developmental challenges--they carry a silent weight of environmental toxins. This book explores the total body burden of heavy metals, chemicals, pollutants and other toxins, revealing how they impact the brain, immune system, and behavior. With clear explanations and actionable strategies, Patty offers parents hope for reducing exposures and supporting healthier outcomes for people struggling with neurodevelopmental issues. This is a must-read for any parent looking to help their child thrive."

--Darin Ingels, ND, FAAEM, FMAPS

"Patty has been on this journey with me for over 25 years working with patients with special needs. The ideas and strategies that Patty outlines for identifying and addressing our toxic load are the very basis for helping individuals with ADD/HD, autism, anxiety/OCD, and neurodevelopmental delays because this population is particularly vulnerable. This book is a must-read for parents who are trying to raise healthy children in this toxic world."

--Anju Usman Singh, MD, FAAFP, FMAPS, medical director and owner of True Health Medical Center and Pure Compounding Pharmacy

From Organizations

"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."

--Enrique Basurto, Founder Autism Research Coalition

"An insightful book that expands the scope of Total Load Theory beyond autism to address a wide range of neurodevelopmental and mental health challenges. Clearly written and informative, it offers practical strategies to identify and reduce stressors. It provides a compelling case for clinicians, educators, families, and individuals to approach complex conditions through the lens of total load management. Important reading for anyone seeking a holistic, transformative approach to improving quality of life for those affected by neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health concerns."

--Stephen M. Edelson, PhD, chief science officer, Autism Research Institute

"Patricia Lemer, author of the best-selling book Outsmarting Autism, Updated and Expanded believes, 'We have to look at TOTAL LOAD!'--a term she coined. And yes, I think she is right. In this groundbreaking new book, Lemer dives deep into the root causes, offering a comprehensive roadmap for transforming health for those with learning and behavioral disorders. In 23 guided chapters, she covers everything: diagnosis, genetics, environmental factors (from pollution to water to vaccines), societal factors, detoxification, and provides prioritized therapies.

You'll need this one, and you'll probably want a few extra copies to share."

--Mary S. Holland, Esq., CEO of Children's Health Defense

"Patricia Lemer's Total Load Theory is the ultimate resource for parents and practitioners looking to understand not only why children are so sick today but also how these conditions can be fully reversed. This book gives tremendous hope!"

--Beth Lambert, founder of Documenting Hope and author of A Compromised Generation and Brain Under Attack

"This book is America's wake-up call that will drive you to action. A masterful synthesis of science and advocacy. It makes clear what so many try to obscure: we are poisoning our children--and we can stop. Read it. Share it. Demand the changes we must make to survive and thrive."

--James Lyons-Weiler, PhD, president, Institute for Pure and Applied Knowledge (IPAK), founder, IPAK-EDU.org, editor-in-chief, Science, Public Health Policy & the Law

"If Patricia Lemer's Outsmarting Autism is the bible of autism healing, then Total Load Theory is the encyclopedia. In this outstanding new book, Patty incorporates time-tested as well as new understandings of the universe of potential total-load factors that can lead to autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. By understanding these stressors, Patty teaches us how to remove them so that the body and brain can heal."

--Maria Rickert Hong, cofounder and education & media director, Documenting Hope

"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."

--Peter Sullivan, Clear Light Ventures

"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."

--Dr. Alex Zaharakis, cofounder, Researched Elements LLC & Autism is Biomedical, Inc.

From Practitioners

"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."

--Len Arcuri, cofounder of All In Parent Coaching, host of Autism Parenting Secrets Podcast

"Patricia Lemer coined the phrase 'autism spectrum' to describe the range of neurological and developmental impairment in children and was first to introduce the concept of 'total load' to assessment and treatment. Now she has produced the ultimate resource for parents, clinicians, and policymakers dedicated to recovery of compromised children affected by the most devastating epidemic of the modern age. Read it, learn it, share it!"

--Hannah Vance Bradford, MAc, MBA, health researcher, parent coach, and assistant professor of Integrative Medicine at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Medicine, 2000-2019

"After five decades of research in the field of health and wellness, Patty Lemer's new book, Total Load Theory is truly a phenomenon. Step-by-step, this remarkable navigational tool forensically uncovers, and unravels, the etiologies of so many chronic illnesses. Before you throw your hard-earned money at yet another 'therapy of the day, ' pick-up Patty's new book. Whether you're a healthcare professional, or just beginning your quest toward greater health, Total Load Theory will empower you to become an even more astute, and savvy, health and wellness consumer--for you and your family."

--Mary Coyle, DIHom

"Total Load Theory is an encyclopedic resource for parents and clinicians to understand how the overwhelming world around us influences the inner world. Patty Lemer breaks down how environmental, emotional, and nutritional inputs shape cellular responses, nervous system reactivity, and behavioral expression. Regardless of a particular diagnosis, we are all impacted by the physiological consequences of the world we live in."

--BG Mancini, AP, PCP, MSOM

"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."

--Svetlana Masgutova, PhD, founder of the MNRI(R) / Masgutova Method(R) and Indie Medal award-winning author of Autism: Maximizing Brain Potential with MNRI Reflex Integration

"Patricia Lemer's Total Load Theory is not only a remarkable book--it's a true paradigm shifter. In today's world of one-size-fits-all medicine, where the 'answers' from health practitioners are too often pharmaceuticals and other quick fixes, this book stands apart. I cannot recommend this book more highly. It will be one of my go-to resources, a book I consult often. And while Patricia is a well-known children's advocate, Total Load Theory is also a 'must read' for adults--even those with no children!"

--Julia Schopick, patient advocate and author of Honest Medicine and The Power of Honest Medicine

From Optometry

"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."

--Leonard J. Press, OD, FAAO, FOVDR

"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."

--Randy Schulman, MS, OD, FCOVD

From Parents

"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."

--Judy Ryder Duffy, founder of the "Power Moms: Autism" Facebook groups

"Patricia Lemer is the most caring, knowledgeable, and well-researched person I know on the subject of diagnosing and prioritizing therapies for those with learning and behavioral disorders. Her third book sits prominently at eye level on my shelf for easy and frequent reference. It is the only book that I consistently recommend to families seeking treatment alternatives. Now, adding to her literary accomplishments comes Total Load Theory targeting a broader audience with the latest steps for maximizing function. She did ALL the legwork so you can focus on parenting. This is the only book you need to read. Period."

--Filomena LaForgia, founder of Filanthropists.com

"Patty Lemer is beyond a maverick in the autism and special needs communities. Soon after my daughter was born and diagnosed with hypotonia (a useless label), and a neurologist claimed she would never speak, I attended a talk featuring Patty. She blew my mind and changed the course of my daughter's life and mine. Today, Isabella never stops talking and leads a fulfilling life at a gluten-free cafe and pottery studio and as an equestrian. Patty also impacted the direction of my career, guiding me as registered dietitian nutritionist to return to my original passion about the impact of food on mood."

--Laura Lagano, functional nutritionist

"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!"

--Dr. Carrie Fick, optometrist

"At just four years old, my twin son was diagnosed with autism. I was fortunate to discover the work of Patricia Lemer, whose intelligent and holistic approach to uncovering the root causes of autism proved nothing short of transformative. Through her guidance, my son has made remarkable progress--he now engages positively at school and in social settings, free from the anxiety and dysregulation that once held him back. Lemer's work has been a true blessing to our family, and I am deeply grateful for her wisdom and dedication."

--Aleta St. James, bestselling author and spiritual energy healer

International Praise

"Patricia Lemer has spent her career helping children and people with disabilities through the most comprehensive possible methods. She is THE EXPERT who I totally trust for my work with autistic children and families in Vietnam. We loved her book Outsmarting Autism so much that we translated it into Vietnamese. Total Load Theory has been my main guidance for working on the core challenges of children with autism and ADHD. I have no doubt that this new book will transform many more lives."

--Hoa Le, director of GANH XIEC NHA JU, Vietnam

"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."

--Ilana Gerschlowitz, author of Saving My Sons: A Journey with Autism, director of The Star Academy (Center for Autism), South Africa

"Patricia Lemer has done it again. Her books are eloquently written, covering a wide gamut of treatments and therapies for autism and related disorders. What is unique is the manner in which she chronicles the sequence in which to introduce the various therapies. Never content to rest on her laurels, Patricia is constantly updating her resources every few years as new research and new treatments come available. If you are a parent or a practitioner who desires to learn more about autism treatments, this is the one book you should buy. I highly recommend her books to all my patients, friends and colleagues."

--Sandra Morton Weizman, DMH, DHHP, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

About the Author

Patricia S. Lemer is a pioneer and an internationally recognized authority on applying a holistic model of care to autism, ADHD, learning and mental health conditions. For over fifty years she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to identifying and ameliorating root causes rather than treat symptoms.

Ms. Lemer was the first to apply the "Total Load Theory" to neurodevelopmental disorders. This engineering concept postulates that each unique individual, like a bridge, accumulates an overload of stressors that eventually causes dysfunction.

Ms. Lemer co-founded one of the first organizations offering information online. She helped establish the first center for young adults with disabilities in Kuwait. She is the author of four books, including the award-winning Outsmarting Autism (2019) and the moderator of the podcast "The Autism Detective." Patricia's ability to weave complex concepts with practical solutions for empowering individuals of all ages has earned her the admiration of families and professionals alike.