(CBS) The number of children diagnosed with autism, ADHD, asthma or allergies has been skyrocketing in recent years, and they may all be connected, according to Dr. Kenneth Bock.

He and writer Cameron Stauth contend that environmental factors and nutritional deficiencies trigger the conditions in kids who are genetically predisposed to them, and intervention can be effective in treating those youngsters, intervention involving "detoxifying" them and changing their diets, among other things.

They've penned a book called "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders," in which they describe Bock's approach, and the results he's been getting at a facility he heads, results some consider quite impressive.

Bock is co-founder and co-director of the Rhinebeck Health Center and the Center for Progressive Medicine, and a clinical instructor in family medicine at the Albany Medical College.

Bock notes that he may be the first doctor to put the four conditions together.

On The Early Show Monday, Bock and co-anchor Harry Smith focused on Bock's work with autistic kids.

To see the segment, click here.

To read an excerpt of "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics,"click here.

There's a 36-minute documentary on Bock's work with autistic children, and it is available by clicking here. The documentary was done by an independent party.

For much more on autism, go to the Web site of the Autism Society of America, by clicking here.

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