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Title: Let Me Hear Your Voice : A Family's Triumph over Autism by Catherine Maurice ISBN: 0-449-90664-7 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 19 July, 1994 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.38 (61 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Autism is not a "fate worse than death"
Comment: This is a well-written and interesting book. Catherine Maurice's devastating criticisms of the fraudulent therapies which attempt to make mothers feel guilty for their children's autism would alone make the book worth reading.
However, I have three very major concerns about the book.
The first is that Maurice presents Lovaas's version of ABA as the only possible option, ignoring the fact that there are other educational methods (such as TEACCH, Greenspan, or the various other techniques within the behavioural field such as the Koegels' modifications of ABA), which also have solid scientific evidence backing them.
Secondly, she also ignores the experts who have raised doubts about Lovaas's claim to have effected complete "recoveries" from autism, and who have pointed out that greatly improving a child's level of functioning, while vitally important, is not the same as a "cure". I've seen too many parents who read Maurice's book and immediately start to plan on the basis that after a few years of Lovaas treatment, their child will be completely normal. The overwhelming balance of evidence is that as a rule autistic children grow up to be autistic adults. We (I have high-functioning autism) may grow up to be independent, happy and successful adults, such as Dr. Temple Grandin, but we remain "different", and often experience great stress from the constant pressure placed on us by families and society to be more "normal".
Thirdly, I was worried by the way in which she constantly treats autism as a tragedy and a fate worse than death, and speaks of dragging her children kicking and screaming out of autism, forcing them to be "normal". Autism certainly doesn't make life easy (and I work with kids with severe autism combined with severe mental retardation, so I know just how difficult it can be), but nonetheless it's also part of who I am, not a "shell" in which there is a normal person hidden away. How would you feel if you found out that your parents viewed who you are as a tragedy to be cured at all costs?
ABA can be a very useful way of teaching, but I'm worried about people who use it not to teach children but to try to "force" them to be normal. There's a big difference between trying to help someone learn and function better and trying to "fix" them by turning them into someone else completely.
I'd recommend that people who read this should not make it their only book on autism - they should also read a more general account of autism giving information on the condition itself and on various methods of educating autistic children, and also a first-person account such as those written by Dr. Grandin.
Rating: 5
Summary: Engaging and Inspiring
Comment: 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.
Rating: 3
Summary: Offers hope
Comment: 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.
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Title: Behavioral Intervention for Young Children With Autism: A Manual for Parents and Professionals by Catherine Maurice, Gina Green, Stephen C. Luce ISBN: 0890796831 Publisher: Pro Ed Pub. Date: December, 1996 List Price(USD): $64.29 |
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Title: Facing Autism : Giving Parents Reasons for Hope and Guidance for Help by Lynn M. Hamilton ISBN: 1578562627 Publisher: WaterBrook Press Pub. Date: 14 March, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
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Title: Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism and Related Disorders by Maria Wheeler ISBN: 1885477457 Publisher: Future Horizons Pub. Date: 01 April, 1998 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder : A Mother's Story of Research & Recovery by Karyn Seroussi ISBN: 0767907981 Publisher: Broadway Pub. Date: 08 January, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Thinking In Pictures : and Other Reports from My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin ISBN: 0679772898 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 29 October, 1996 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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