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

I've read some of the other reviews of this book and overall agree with some of the issues raised (hours of very strict ABA to make an autistic child 'normal' at all costs, dismissing special interests as 'perseverations', etc.) but I want to point out that this book was first written years ago. First published in 1993, and at that point the author is looking back in time by several years, so the actual events probably took place in the mid to late eighties. At that point in time there weren't the online support groups, the various autism organizations, the plethora of well-known therapies from Floortime to Affective Based Language to RDI, or in general much awareness of what autism was at all. Parents were left to their own devices to do the best they could and, even if I disagree on some points, who out there could start from square one like that and still manage to come up with every answer, something we still haven't managed today?I will say that, having worked with dozens of autistic children, I find the recovery aspect of the story highly unusual. I've seen children that make tremendous progress in functioning, however, I've never witnessed a child going from totally autistic to totally not-autistic in the span of about two or three years. I'm not saying the diagnosis wasn't correct (although there do seem to be a subset of children who do some really classically autistic things as toddlers and yet do not end up being autistic,) just that I don't think this is typical, even with the best therapy programs.Overall, I applaud this book as a touching story of a family's strength and as a breakthrough in people's thinking on autism treatment. Stories like this one helped more people to see that there are ways to work with and teach autistic children. We may have refined our approach since then, but this realization was an important moment in treatment history.

I began my journey into the world of autism when my 3-year-old son was diagnosed with PDD. At the time, you could have fit my knowledge of autism onto the head of a pin. LET ME HEAR YOUR VOICE was one of several books I purchased on Amazon and the first one I read once they arrived.My son's diagnosis left me utterly devastated. By the time I finished reading this book, I felt someone had turned on the light so I could begin to find my way. I was buoyed by the simple fact that recovery IS possible and this book served as a roadmap for me. I had also purchased Making a Difference: Behavioral Intervention for Autism - also by Catherine Maurice and began my own ABA program at home while awaiting my son's admission into a Special Ed preschool program. By the time my son began school 2 months later, the teachers and therapists were wondering why he'd been diagnosed with PDD as he was markedly different from other PDD kids. Now, less than 2 years later, his score on the CARS is in the non-autistic range.ABA is not the only treatment or cure and it is not for every child, but I believe it can bring about improvements that otherwise would not occur spontaneously. While the book is a strong advocate of ABA, it is a wonderful book to read for those who are new to the world of Autism. Giving this book as a gift would be one of the most thoughtful things you could ever do. If I had not read this book, it is doubtful I would have acquired the knowledge of autism I now have - this book was a primer for the sort of education I hope NO parent needs, but if they do, LET ME HEAR YOUR VOICE is the place to start.

Two and half years ago, my daughter was diagnosed with autism. Terror, loneliness, and a lack of knowledge wreaked havoc on our family life. We read a lot of books, joined online communities, and finally got her into a very limited ABA program that is part of a university research lab (only once a week during semesters). Through it all our extended family at first denied and then accepted the diagnosis, but other than expressing sympathy, they were at a loss as to how to empathize with us. "Let Me Hear Your Voice" expresses all that we went through. Additionally, it reinforced what we have been learning, that ABA works for some children and that it needs to be done intensively. Ms Maurice also is honest that her children made remarkably "quick" progress and that this is not necessarily the case for all children with autism because each child has varying degrees of the three main categories of symptoms: language (expressive and receptive) delays and disorders; social skills delays and disorders, and obsessively habitual body movements that are unusual."Let Me Hear Your Voice" brings readers into the Maurices' world and shows us the fears, the lack of knowledge, the loneliness, and how it can be overcome by taking control of the situation through research, a supportive family, and through the application of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Although she clearly states that their therapy was successful, she cannot promise it will work for all; but she demonstrates that taking initiative and using the science behind the therapy progress can be made.Most importantly, she eloquently communicates what it is like to be in a family afflicted with autism, which is something that most of us cannot adequately communicate; therefore, this book should be read by everyone who is affected: within the nuclear family, extended family, and even friends of the family.After reading this story, readers will have learned what autism really is and how everyone needs to work together to help the child and the family make progress against autism.

Decepcionada com a qualidade do material. Muito frágil. Chegou com amassados e um pequeno rasgo na capa. Sei que é a versão simples do livro, mas o preço não justifica isso. Ele não deveria ser tão frágil assim, semelhante a um jornal antigo. Esperava mais da qualidade do material de um livro que custa R$ 87,00.

Feels like reading our own journey. We are in the early stage of treatment and this book was highly recommended by our doctor. Now, I know..why. I hope to write about the success story as hers in forthcoming year. 😊

Ein „Muss „ für Eltern von einem autistischen Kind!

Was a gift

My son who is autistic is now 8, in mainstream school and doing very well. when I read this book some years ago I found it to be both comforting and very reasuring with lots of practical help. My son was lucky enough to be in a program very similar to the one in the book and the results are aparent if not achieved with a lot of hard work. This book enables parents to start to help their children if the support is not available for whatever reason. Looking back some years on I would say this was the most important book I read on the subject, and only now apreciate who much is changed all of our lives