Louder Than Words A Mothers Journey in Healing Autism
Louder Than Words A Mothers Journey in Healing Autism
The New York Times bestseller that is an inspiring “story of hope” (People) for parents of autistic children
One morning Jenny McCarthy was having a cup of coffee when she sensed something was wrong. She ran into her two-year-old son Evan’s room and found him having a seizure. Doctor after doctor misdiagnosed Evan until—after many harrowing, life-threatening episodes—one good doctor discovered that Evan is autistic.
With a foreword from Dr. David Feinberg, medical director of the Resnick Neuro-psychiatric Hospital at UCLA, and an introduction by Jerry J. Kartzinel, a top pediatric autism specialist, Louder Than Words follows Jenny as she discovered an intense combination of behavioral therapy, diet, and supplements that became the key to saving Evan from autism. Her story sheds much-needed light on autism through her own heartbreak, struggle, and ultimately hopeful example of how a parent can shape a child’s life and happiness.
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star Not good
As a therapist, and a woman wanting to have children, this book was very disappointing. Speaking as a therapist, we are not all out there to steer you in the wrong directions, rip you off, or give misinformation. This book makes it sound like the medical world is trying to prevent parents from getting answers or help and that is simply not true. Autism is tough, no doubt about that, it’s tough for everyone involved, and we should be in this fight together instead againist each other which is what the book infers. Speaking as a woman trying to conceive, I did not appreciate the authors comments about being “very afraid” if you are wanting children. After I read that, I immediately stopped reading and almost threw the book away. As a woman trying to conceive, that was a really disturbing line to read. Shame on the author for trying to promoe fear instead of understanding. My advice, there are many other books out there that are much better.
2 Stars Does the boy’s father have Aspergers?
Jenny’s ex-husband’s reaction in the book points to a man who might have Asperger’s Syndrome. He was very inappropriate in the way he handled his son’s medical problems. He was inappropriate in his inability to support his wife through their harrowing experience. His reaction left me wanting to hear more about his demeanor and hear also what his parent’s experience was with their son as he was growing up. The husband’s diagnosis would support the genetic theory of autism. As a mother of a boy who has Aspergers, I would like to see money go into the school systems to educate the educators about how to best teach these incredible children. Also money should not be wasted on theories that have been scientifically disproved.
2 Stars Cute book, but not a true look into autism.
I liked the book but as a mother of an autistic son the things she does to “cure” her son, wouldn’t work for us. My son has had all the tests there are but all come up negative. My son doesn’t have seizures as her son does. She is only an expert when it comes to her own son, and that is how it should be read. Not as a book of facts for everyone. It’s the story of her journey not yours. Every mother and/or father wants to do what is best for their child and that is what she did. You need to figure out what is best for YOUR child because every child on the spectrum is different. I’m not sure she understood that, though.
5 Stars Inspiring!
I have spent many many hours in the UofG (University of Google) and could relate to this book 100% I could not put it down and finished it in a few hours. My son does not have any diagnosis at this point and may or may not have autism, but it gives so much hope for the future. Alternative medicines have been overlooked by the medical community for so long, I love that this book opens people’s eyes to more possibilities than just what they’ve been told by Drs. I have 2 autistic nephews and my SIL is doing some of the treatments with her children that Jenny did with her son. Sometimes knowing that other people are in your same position is all it takes to keep chugging along. I read another review that pretty much said google and mothers instinct is not as good as what Drs will tell you. Well, doctors don’t know everything. That is why it’s called “practicing medicine”. Mother’s instinct is right most of the time, even if the scientific evidence isn’t there to support that. I feel rejuvinated having read this. Definitely recommended to anyone with a special needs child, or anyone who loves a special needs child.
1 Star Don’t waste your time
Jenny has NO idea on what it is like to be an average person with a child on the spectrum. Nannies, intensive intervention–we don’t live in that world. We live in the world of waitlists, minimal services and fighting with public schools.
I really do not want our children represented by a former playmate who believes she found a cure for autism.
Filed under: Parenting Books