When it comes to neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities (LD), and sensory processing disorder (SPD), there’s rarely a single cause. Instead, the cumulative effect of multiple stressors, biological, environmental, psychological, and neurological—can overwhelm a developing brain. This concept is the foundation of Patricia Lemer’s Total Load Theory, a powerful framework gaining traction across integrative and developmental health fields.
What Is Total Load Theory?
Total Load Theory is not about one root cause. It’s about the sum total of stressors, inflammatory, toxic, psychological, dietary, and environmental—that contribute to chronic health conditions. According to Patricia Lemer, author and licensed professional counselor, the accumulation of these factors increases a child’s “load,” and once that threshold is surpassed, symptoms begin to manifest.
Conditions linked to high total load include:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
- Learning disabilities
- Mood and behavioral disorders
- Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions like allergies and asthma
Lemer’s Total Load Theory – Transforming Lives in Autism, ADHD, LD, SPD, and Mental Health invites parents and professionals alike to rethink how they understand, and treat, these diagnoses.
Common Root Stressors That Increase Total Load
In her free webinar hosted by Documenting Hope, Patricia Lemer outlined more than 20 contributing factors that can raise a child’s neurological load:
- Blood sugar dysregulation
- Chronic inflammation
- Sleep and circadian rhythm disruption
- Gut dysbiosis and poor diet
- Blue light and screen time exposure
- EMFs (electromagnetic fields)
- Mold exposure and toxicity
- Lack of movement, sunlight, or time in nature
- Prenatal or birth trauma
- Chronic stress and unresolved emotional trauma
The more of these factors are present, the heavier the load, and the more likely a child is to show symptoms. Reducing the total load, rather than simply managing symptoms, is what Patricia Lemer argues offers a true path to healing.
Webinar Recap: Hope for Healing Through Total Load Reduction
The November 2025 webinar with Patricia Lemer was more than a lecture—it was a call to action for parents, caregivers, and clinicians. She shared how families can begin identifying and addressing contributing stressors with accessible strategies, including:
- Implementing cleaner nutrition
- Reducing screen time
- Improving sleep hygiene
- Addressing gut health
- Using therapeutic movement and sensory integration
She also emphasized the importance of individualized, integrative therapies rather than a one-size-fits-all medical model.
Attendees walked away with clarity, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose in helping children reach their full potential. And if you missed the live session, don’t worry, the replay is still available to stream.
Dr. Schulman’s Take: A Visionary Book Review Worth Reading
In a thoughtful review published in Vision Development & Rehabilitation, Dr. Randy L. Schulman, MS, OD, FOVDR, FCSO, praised Lemer’s work as “essential reading for clinicians.” She commends the book for weaving decades of experience in education, therapy, and integrative care into a model that is both deeply human and clinically actionable.
Dr. Schulman highlights how Lemer’s model shifts attention away from “treating diagnoses” and toward understanding underlying stressors—a paradigm that resonates with practitioners offering vision therapy, neuro-optometric rehab, and integrative approaches.
“Total Load Theory reminds us that when we reduce what burdens a child’s system, we create space for healing,” she writes.
You can access the full review in Vision Development & Rehabilitation, Volume 11, Issue 3.
Why This Matters: Public Talks for Parents & Professionals
Though this particular webinar has passed, EyeCare Associates regularly offers public talks designed to inform and empower families navigating developmental and behavioral health challenges. These webinars spotlight leading voices like Patricia Lemer, and they provide practical, holistic tools you can use right away.
We encourage you to follow EyeCare Associates’ website for future events, where you can submit your own questions, hear from integrative leaders, and access replays of past webinars.
Looking Ahead: Integrating Total Load Theory Into Everyday Practice
If you're a parent, educator, or practitioner supporting children with complex needs, Total Load Theory offers a compassionate and science-rooted roadmap. It’s not about managing symptoms, it’s about lifting the invisible weights that burden children and giving them a clearer path forward.
Stay Informed. Stay Involved.
Visit ctnyeyecare.com to follow upcoming webinars, read more expert reviews like Dr. Schulman’s, or schedule an appointment at one of EyeCare Associates’ Connecticut or New York locations.
Let’s continue transforming lives—one load at a time.