I Am in Here: The Journey of a Child with Autism Who Cannot Speak but Finds Her Voice [Hardcover]

Elizabeth is a thirteen year old girl who lives with the daily challenges of autism. Her family and teachers struggle to learn about autism and try various treatments to help her manage as normally as possible. She goes to a mainstream school and excels, with her educational assistant beside her every day. Even though Elizabeth can't speak, her poems, sprinkled generously throughout this book, speak eloquently and profoundly, shedding light on what is going on in an autistic mind.

Working with an autistic boy myself, I found this story inspiring and helpful in offering a deeper understanding of autism. Elizabeth's mother does an excellent job of telling how her family cope with two of their three children suffering from autism. Sometimes I wanted to cry with this family as their patience and faith are put the ultimate test, but most often I rejoiced with them as Elizabeth communicates her deepest feelings in a precise and beautiful poetic way. It's especially touching to see how this family's faith gives them strength and courage as they walk this difficult road. Anybody and especially those who have an autistic child in their life will find this well written book enlightening and enjoyable.

Those that know me can attest that I am a sensitive person...if a child is hurting, my heart hurts too. So reading a book with a subtitle like: The Journey of a Child with Autism Who Cannot Speak but Finds Her Voice...hmmm...

You see, we all are touched by autism, it is all around us. I was intrigued to enter the world of autism through the eyes of a parent of two children that have been diagnosed with autism. One of the authors children loves to express themselves vocally...the other has not spoken audibly but has found her voice in written poetry. Through years of hard work, and trial and error they have found the ability to unlock the door of communication through 'written' language. I was amazed and moved by the beautifully articulate poetry expressed by Elizabeth. I found great insight on how one person with autism feels when they are experiencing an emotional outburst, and how this might help if you should find yourself in the presence of such an outburst, how we can be gracious and understanding and how she employs different techniques that she has shared, so that this can be a help to teachers and friends of someone dealing with autism.

The poetry is insightful and beautiful, and the love expressed by the mother of Elizabeth is extraordinary. This would be a very good resource for parents with children diagnosed with autism, and also for friends and family members touched by this diagnosis.

Wonderful book!

Book has been provided courtesy of Revell and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group

I Am in Here: The Journey of a Child with Autism Who Cannot Speak but Finds Her Voice
Elizabeth M. Bonker and Virginia G. Breen
Number of pages: 256

I first heard about autism when Peter Gzowski interviewed Donna Williams on CBC Morningside in the early 1990s. Since that time I have been fascinated by autism, its causes, its occasional cures, the determination of many parents to bring their child into the world of spoken language. I Am in Here is a unique telling of one of these stories. Elizabeth is autistic, she does not speak. However Elizabeth writes poetry using a letter board. Her poetry is short, simple, to the point. Elizabeth's poetry is her voice, her language, her way of making words serve the purpose of communication.

Elizabeth's mother Virginia writes the day to day story of their life in prose woven around the poetry. Virginia tells of the hours of dedication lived by teachers and aids. She tells of medical attempts to fix body that so far has failed to let Elizabeth speak her words out loud. You won't believe some of the things these parents try.

This book is not easy reading in some ways. I have had to take it in small doses. Very few words carry such a lot of things to think about. Elizabeth has written a little prose blurb to go with each poem. Although Elizabeth is very young, and considered learning disabled, she is thinking and expressing herself in very grown up ways. She is thinking in terms of global need and pain when most girls her age are more concerned with their own complexion.

There are pictures interspersed through out the book and a section of photos at the end. Elizabeth is a lovely, even beautiful young woman. She is still locked inside herself as far as speaking in a physical voice and this isolation pains her and her mother. The frustration causes out bursts and poor social behaviour. But if you have the patience to sit and talk with Elizabeth on her letter board, if you take the time to communicate with Elizabeth as Elizabeth has learned to make use of language in the only way that works for her right now, you will meet a surprising young woman, a young woman well worth knowing, one you will not forget.