* Test for allergies, metal poisoning and other toxins such as pesticides, except in cases of autism. (The effects of autism are due to toxicity of foods, rather than allergies per se, and the tests won’t pick up any reaction.)

* Test for nutritional deficiencies such as in EFAs, zinc, iron and certain amino acids. (Biolab in London performs such tests; tel: 020 7636 5959).

* Consider putting your child on a gluten- and dairy-free diet. Work with a nutritionist to ensure that the diet is nutritionally balanced.

* Remove refined sugar from his diet. Sugar can cause hypoglycaemia and raise adrenaline levels in children, which can worsen hyperactivity, irritable moods and poor concentration.

* Keep a food diary to see when behaviour worsens. Experiment with withdrawing certain foods to see if behaviour improves (bearing in mind that things may initially get worse before they get better).

* Feed your child an organic wholefood diet that is free of pesticides, phenol and amine additives, and salicylates.

* Remove as many chemicals as you can from the home environment, including perfume, cleaning products and toiletries.

* Supplement the diet with essential fatty acids (fish or flaxseed oil) and a good additive-free multivitamin/mineral. You may also want to add specific supplements such as: vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium and manganese for autism; zinc, iron and amino acids for ADHD; and zinc, lecithin and amino acids such as L-glutamine for dyslexia.

* Consider homoeopathic remedies. High-potency Thuja and Natrum muriaticum can help minimise vaccine damage and also improve dyslexia. (Consult a trained homoeopath; see our practitioner database at www.wddty.co.uk).

* Consider chelation therapy if heavy-metal poisoning is a factor in your child’s illness. Chelation binds metals in the bloodstream to allow their removal from the body, using various chemical binders such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) via an intravenous drip, oral DMSO (dimethyl sulphoxide), MSM (methyl-sulphonyl-methane) and Chlorella (a type of algae).

* Consider desensitisation if your child has lots of allergies, including inhalant ones, using the intradermal neutralisation technique (INT), which tests for potential allergens and then uses a weakened dose to neutralise reactions. The parent administers this ‘vaccine’ to the child until he is eventually ‘immune’ to the substance (Allergy, 1977; 38: 3). Alternatively, try enzyme-potentiated desensitisation (EPD), which uses beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme released during an allergic reaction, combined with a minute amount of allergen to create an extremely low-dose vaccine to build up the body’s defences gradually. Eight injections every two to three months is recommended.

The injection given depends on the allergens. A food mix may include a wide range of common foods and drinks, gut microorganisms and commonly used chemical food additives. As the vaccine supposedly strengthens immunity in general, reactions to substances not included in the injection may also improve (see www.wddty.co.uk for our practitioner database for clinical ecologists, who will do INT or EPD).

* Consider home-schooling or special-education programmes if biochemical measures don't improve things. Not all children learn at the same rate, and many who don't get on in a structured learning situation may thrive at home. For more information, contact Roland Meighan (Educational Heretics, 113 Arundel Drive, Bramcote, Nottingham NG9 3FQ; tel/fax 0115 925 7261).