Southbury, CT - Flourishing with Food Allergies is an empowering guide for those who are coping with food allergies in today's world - Roughly 1 in 13 children in the United States has a true food allergy today according to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. A staggering 11.4 million Americans have food allergies--a statistic that falls between cancer and diabetes rates. Scientists believe that ten years ago less than one percent of the population had food allergies. In the last decade, the number has increased to four percent. No one is sure why food allergies are on the rise most significantly for our children. Anderson writes, "Food allergies, especially in our youngest members of society, are becoming an epidemic. This epidemic is silently growing. Disbelief among parents, grandparents and much of society fuels the epidemic as we watch it happen." ...

Flourishing with Food Allergies: Social, Emotional and Practical Guidance for Families with Young Children is an empowering guide for those who are coping with a food allergy in today's world. By sharing her own personal experiences and successes as well as those of numerous families, doctors and teachers, author A. Anderson has provided an immense and invaluable compilation of practical experience. The book begins by showcasing fifteen case studies of families who have successfully handled food allergies in their young children. These case studies offer parents and caretakers an opportunity to learn about social, emotional and practical aspects of raising a child with food allergies. Seven additional interviews from a variety of doctors and teachers are provided for professional perspectives, advice and positive support. They describe different experiences, attitudes, and beliefs about the increase in food allergies in children and other disorders that might be affected by food allergies such as asthma and ADHD.

"This practical and positive guide is not just for parents," Anderson says. "Grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, caretakers, pediatricians, therapists, school cafeteria and restaurant workers will learn valuable information about how to handle food allergies and support these children," she explains. The book also provides a number of other tools--lists of food ingredients and additives to avoid, school and travel preparedness checklists, and discussions of myth versus fact relative to food allergies. Further, the pros and cons of a 504 Disability Plan are explored and compared with a less formal Action Plan for handling food allergies in children attending school. In addition, Anderson relies upon her personal experience in finding food-free activities and handling food-filled events to further empower families and children cope with food allergy-related issues. All of these tools seek to educate and prepare caretakers both in practical and emotional terms and avoid "scare tactics" sometimes found in other sources.

Flourishing with Food Allergies has been well received by a number of doctors, social workers, dieticians, counselors, mothers, grandmothers as well as two national food allergy organizations--the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (AAAAI), and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Dr. Pamela A. Georgeson, Allergist with Kenwood Allergy and Asthma Center, Chesterfield Twp., MI, and media spokesperson for the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (AAAAI), calls the book, "A comprehensive review of how food allergies affect children's lives, their families, and their school environments. Wonderful tools and resources provided to educate families. A must read for parents of food allergic children!" Flourishing with Food Allergies will be published and available in bookstores on August 25, 2008.

Flourishing with Food Allergies is available on Amazon.