Customer Reviews

Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family's Triumph over Autism

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When my fourth child was diagnosed with "PDD", I was happy. That was how ignorant I was--I thought it meant he wasn't autistic! Six years and one more autistic child later, I still credit this book with giving me a foothold and a way of grasping how to deal with the educational interventions that I feel continue to remain most viable for so many autistic children. I had nothing but my own gut feelings, one other book called "Children with Autism", and this book to guide me in the beginning stages of what would prove to be the longest, most incredible journey I have ever made in my life. It's still evolving, and so are we, in my family.

Because of this book, I garnered the strength to look into educational intervention for my first autistic son in the way of a "home program". I didn't know anything about what a "home program" entailed until I read this book. I didn't know that the optimal time you must devote to a program such as this has been set at 40 hours a week! I didn't know that there wouldn't be any trained therapists available--I had to be trained myself, in fact! I found babysitters, one high school girl, you name it--at one point I was so desparate I dissolved in tears and said, "I CAN'T DO THIS! " But you have to. YOU JUST HAVE TO. And you will, too, because you must.

As my supervisor said to me when she "okayed" us for the program, "Look at it this way--two years of your life will make such a difference." And it did. Not the sucess story the author had, but at least a sense of control over things and an awareness of my son's potential.

This book gave me something to hang on to. I realize now, especially after having a second autistic son, that not all things go as planned, and not all "programs" turn out as ideally as Maurice's did. On the other hand, you must have hope when you are an autistic parent. This book gave me that. And it gave me an understanding of an invaluable way of teaching young autistic children that is still the primary way they are taught most sucessfully (it is called Applied Behavioral Analysis now)that I needed, just to get started in the right direction. Buy it and read it. Use your brain when you read it and accept the fact that all these kids are different and you are not this woman. But be thankful. She wrote THE GROUNDBREAKING BOOK on this type of intervention.

best wishes, Jean

As the mother of a daughter who was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder just after her second birthday, I felt especially raw when I read this book.

If I hadn't read this book, I may have delayed ABA therapy for my own daughter. My home-based, daycare-based program has shown better results than any other therapy that we had tried before I found out about ABA. Although I have not had heard the words "recovered" or "cured", I have seen a marked improvement in my child's language, behavior and social skills. Her pediatrician remarked that the outstanding progress that we've seen is typical in about 5% of children who are diagnosed with ASD.

Thank goodness for this book. It gave me hope and set me in motion. It showed me that I could use ABA in combination with other ongoing therapies. I didn't need to choose a single path.

I don't have the funds nor the lifestyle of the author. What I do have is a drive to find a way to bring my daughter back into the world of human contact.

For any parent who is struggling with concerns about (or a recent diagnosis of) a spectrum disorder, this book is like meeting a wise friend who has been through it, experienced the pain, worry and stress, and put it on paper in a way that not only makes you feel less alone, but also gives you hope. The book is about 15 years old, and therefore was written at a time when there was less awareness of autism and the options for treatment, but that doesn't make it any less valuable. Through her writing, Maurice gave me hope, inspiration to take action, and meaningful advice and tools to get me started. I highly, highly recommend for anyone who is feeling lost in the world of autism and who is struggling with the sense that nothing can be done.

This book makes me think of the Billy Gilman song, "One Voice." And every voice counts.

This was a very interesting account of how one woman traveled down a very bumpy Long & Winding Road with two children on the autism spectrum. Her children made great strides with ABA, Applied Behavioral Analysis. It was through the diligent efforts of the ABA therapist that the children were able to learn to identify words; identify sensory perceptions and verbalize the experience.

One thing that bothered me was the heavy handed use of the word "perseverate." That is a truly harmful and judgmental word that has hurt many; helped none and is best avoided. The terms "special interest," "repetitive verbalizations/behaviors" are far preferable and much more accurate. The overusage of this damning, negative and destructive word cost this book one star. It is a word best avoided. The deleterious affect this word has is addressed in Annabel Stehli's book, "The Sound of Falling Snow: Stories of Recovery From Autism & Related Conditions."

One thing that I tip my hat to Catherine Maurice for was exposing the fraudulent claims made in re holding therapy. The very name of this quack nostrum makes me want to run for cover! Maurice actually met with Margaret G. Welch, the founder of this nostrum and was initially a Welchian follower. Over time, she saw that holding therapy was questionable and harmful. Welch's book "Holding Time," as well as Bettelheim's "Empty Fortress" and Elisabeth & Nikolaas Tinbergen's atrocious works on autism are the worst books I have EVER read!

Welch had her view films of "holdings," wherein the children filmed were either a) not autistic or b) displaying the adverse response to being restrained. I also didn't like the way Dr. Welch would tell parents to yell at their children; level accusations at them and then follow up with hugs. Welch actually advocates that people LICK their children, much as dogs do their pups. That made me queasy. To date, I have never heard of anybody with autism licking anybody!

For people with autism, particularly severe autism, decoding expressions is difficult and trying to interpret conflicting behaviors had to be confusing. Many of these young clients were non-verbal preschoolers! I was queasy when I read of how Welch had people hollering at their children and blaming the parents for "not resolving issues" with the children and that forcing the children to endure hugs would "cure" them. Horse feathers!

Donna Williams, an illustrious author with autism says of Welch's method that it "teaches people to give the desired response" so as to be freed from something dreadful. Lise Pyle wrote of her son John in "Hitchhiking Through Asperger's Syndrome" that "hugs are to be endured, not enjoyed by John." John is given the respect he deserves instead of being subjected to this ignominious treatment.

I was thoroughly disgusted with Dr. Welch for saying to Maurice's daughter, "lonely Anne-Marie," "sad/angry Anne-Marie," and trying to plant anger in Maurice's mind towards her then pre-school, nonverbal daughter. I cringed when I read of how Maurice practiced this "holding" at the home; I was ready to run like a deer at the thought of the child being forced to endure this. Anne-Marie naturally did not like it and I was delighted when Maurice jumped Welch's ship and resumed ABA, which worked quite well with her children. In time, they were moved off the a/A spectrum and Welch had NOTHING to do with their progress. It was upsetting to think of the number of good people who were snowed by Welch's methods and claims.

Autism, as has been pointed out IS a spectrum condition. It is a neurobiological condition that affects sensory processing and communciation to varying degrees. It has nothing to do with resolution of any kind; it is simply neurobiological. It is also EXTREMELY counterproductive to blame parents. Nobody would make their child autistic! There is NO scientific data or proof to back Welch's claims. To add further insult to further injury, Welch cites Nikolaas Tinbergen, who was an ornithologist. Tinbergen's execrable works in re autism is just a rehashing of Welch, although his work predates hers. The bottom line is they say enforced hugging is a panacea for autism; blame mothers; claim autism is psychological, which is a fallacy. If enforced hugging was a cure, then everybody would be doing it and nobody would have autism! It is just an emotional elixir that satisfies the hugger at the expense of the autistic population. Tinbergen was an ornithologist, not an expert on autism! His work, together with Bettelheim, a notorious fraud and Welch's fallacious claims are among the worst and most misleading in autism literature.

As a survivor of enforced hugging, which I abhor, I can tell you all it did was sour me on hugs. I think it is so cruel to take what is purportedly a loving act and convert it into a self serving punishment. I knew a boy who was put through the Welchian method; hated it and it backfired big time. The boy would cry piteously, "no more hug! Hate hug!" and beg not to be sent there "to be yelled at when you aren't bad." Now nearly an adult, he will say, "I'm still autistic. I still like WWII jeeps and planes and I still hate hugs." Prior to the Welchian method, the boy stoically endured hugs. To this day, he will flee them. That was very unfortunate, but not surprising.

ABA on the other hand, recognizes autism for what it is - a neurological condition that affects behavior. ABA focuses on teaching cause-effect and linkage, e.g. linking words to a feeling or an object. ABA also teaches clients to focus directly on the issue at hand, e.g. someone talking to them and to tune out extraneous stimuli.

Since a/A is a spectrum, there will be overlapping behaviors and sensory issues. Not all people with autism think in pictures; are adverse to being touched; are nonverbal or suffer from the more extreme form, Kanner's Autism.

I recommend that ALL parents of children with autism as well as adults with autism to give ABA a try. Floor time is another good method that encourages direct contact and fun as well as focusing on relevant stimuli. "The Boy Who Loved Windows" is an excellent book about how a child was eased off the a/A spectrum by use of floor time.

I found this book gave me much hope for what would otherwise have been a very devastating diagnosis for my 3 yr old son. I only wish the drills were described in more detail and that there was less religion and preaching. A good first read, but very sentimental and at times condescending.

I found this book heart-rending, inspiring and informative. Maurice describes vividly the pain, terror, hope and confusion that a diagnosis of autism precipitates. She also presents in a clear-eyed way the difficulties of dealing with doctors, the seduction of fake miracle cures, and the continuing difficulties of parenting an autistic child when everyone's suddenly an expert on your kid and how to raise him or her. Maurice is a devout Catholic and described beautifully how religion affected her journey: I found these sections gutsy and inspiring. She does an excellent job providing an introduction to the best-documented treatment for autism, applied behavioral analysis. She also provides resources at the back for setting up programs, getting them paid for etc. Maurice does not make herself out to be perfect in this book: at times she is hot-headed, impatient and a bit of a know-it-all who has to bite back sharp comments. However, this is real life and I am glad she showed her strengths and weaknesses. If the book has any negative, it is that in one chapter Maurice spends a chunk preaching about how people today are not disciplining their kids. Since her oldest kid is only 7 when this book ends, it seems a bit premature to give others advice on the best way to raise children who will lead productive, responsible lives. However, she may be right. In any case, I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

I am a mother of an autistic daughter who was diagnosed a few months ago. This book really inspired me not to give up hope! While reading this book, I would be in tears as to how realistic it truely is. How you preceive your own child. How you go through all the stages of defeat, over and over again! and to reading about the most uplifting little spirits who overcome HUGE obsticals over and over again! This book both breaks your heart and heals it. Great book to give as a gift to those who are an important part in a little persons autistic life who just "don't get it" or want to know hands on what you are going through as a parent. I would recommend to anyone who has autism in their life. Be prepared with a tissue box.

I can not begin to express the amount of appreciation I have towards Catherine Maurice. Many people who have autistic children may read her book and wonder why this woman was deemed lucky enough to save not one, but two of her children from autism. I believe that she was successful not only for completely dedicating herself to her children, but also because of the book she would write for others as well. After finding out that our daughter has PDD our lives changed. If it weren't for Catherine's book, I don't know where I would have found the strength to help our daughter. Although we are greatful that her diagnosis was on the mild end of the spectrum we still had no idea how to help her. She was already in a special ed play group and receiving tons of speech OT and PT. I had never heard of ABA therapy. It was friend of mine who put me in touch with someone who runs an ABA program that I got my first real education in ABA. By some miracle I connected with a two fantastic ABA therapists who was trained by a top professional. My daughter had an immediate connection with her, and in the short six months that have past we have seen a dramatic difference in her behaviors. No two people have the same experiences in life and no two parents will have the same reaction when their child is diagnosed with PDD. What I have learned from this book is that we owe it to our child to pull ourselves together as quick as possible so that we can perhaps foster our own "miracle." Throughout this process I have encountered countless kindred spirits who have intentionally or coincidentally came to our rescue. I do count Catherine Maurice as one of those spirits.

I am entereing a Masters of Occupational Therapy program this fall. I read this book over the summer in hopes of having a better picture of Autism and of ABA therapy. This book gave me just that. ABA jobs are common here and I know that they can help a student. Intervention (especially early on) can change the life of any child with disabilities. This book shows how much it can change the life of a child with Autism.

I have just finished reading this book and it moved me to tears so many times. My nephew has autistic tendencies and I want to learn how to hear his voice as is often difficult to sustain any interaction with him. He is currently taking part in the Lovaas programme and I have seen some significant progress - he is much happier and settled and seems much more content in his world. He is still in his own world but slowly seems to be interacting more, sustaining eye contact and engaging in play and games with others, even if for very short periods. This book helped me to understand autism more and the Lovaas programme. This is the path my sister has taken and I want to support her as much as I can by using some of the techniques with my nephew when I am with him.

I understand some of the criticisms of this book about it being very one sided about Lovaas and about having to have funds. However, Catherine Maurice has written a book about her own experience and if everyone did this as powerfully as she has done we would all have access to a lot more information. Yes, it is only one experience and that will not reflect other experiences. It is not a book written by an "objective" scientist but by a mother who wanted to share a painful and emotional experience in case it could help others. I applaud her and whatever life throws me, I hope I find at least some of Catherine's strength to face those obstacles.

I found the critique from someone with autism interesting. I hadn't thought of the children feeling betrayed by their parent's reaction to autism. However the person writing this critique seems to have the power to articulate, read and interpret which if Catherine had left her daughter as she was, were qualities she may have never had. It is all very well the professionals and others saying just accept children as they are but if they are completely disconnected from the world and miserable, then they have little quality of life. And as a parent of a small child, I think I can speak for most of us, when I say all we want is for them to be happy.

I found Catherine's advice on moulding children's behaviour interesting and useful. As a single parent, I am constantly agonising over what methods to use for discipline and I picked up some useful tips. I also agree with her that the world has gone "psychology mad" and links everything to the mother or emotional damage.

My sister has also used the gluton free, caseine free diet and we have seen a marked improvement in my nephew's behaviour.