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.

This book taught me so much about ASD; specifically about the toll the diagnosis could take on a mother, especially at the time. More than anything, it was an incredibly honest story. Her ability to share such personal experiences, and reflect on her own shortcomings really stuck with me. She takes the reader on her journey with her; looking for help and not knowing which, if any, treatment options are right, and the mental toll an autism diagnoses can take on a mother. I have so much empathy for her, I read this years ago for a seminar in college and I still think about it often. it offers a unique perspective from a time before ABA became the primary support children with autism received; a time that’s hard for me to even imagine.

The story of how this mother dealt with her two autistic children and helped them recover was inspiring. There have been disagreements about whether the children were “truly” autistic or had something like pervasive developmental disorder instead. That doesn’t matter to me. Diagnostic labels are not important in my mind. Not as much as the behavior and level of intervention needed for improvement/recovery. And this mother did a lot of work with both children to help them improve. Although I’m not autistic I feel I have some autistic traits. I can have difficulty with social skills. Picking up on social cues can be almost impossible at times. Other times ok. I need clear direct communication or I don’t understand it. I hate to say it but it’s true. Worse, I tend to agonize about what may or may not have been said and lately it’s gotten to the point where I feel terrified all the time. Have I made other people angry and if so then how and what should I do about it. I was like this in grade school too and when my late husband was sick. Times of stress bring it on and I’m now ending with a therapist I’ve seen for over 23 years. Like other people with autistic traits I don’t tend to grasp more subtle forms of social communication. Such as conversations that require accurate inference of the speaker’s mood or thoughts to understand. Sophisticated social skills tend to elude me. I can also be extremely blunt. I’m not going to elaborate because I’m making this my life story. However I was raised by a parent whom I and my therapist (who met him several times) believe was high functioning autistic. I may have acquired some traits by environment. I would like to emphasize the cliché that when you’ve met one person on the spectrum, you’ve met one person on the spectrum. Also that for me a diagnostic label doesn’t matter. I’ve been told by one professional I am autistic (after a 5-minute evaluation) and by several others I’m not. However labels don’t matter. Fear of social situations is paralyzing. The feeling of panic when you realize you can’t understand what people are saying to you and why cannot be overestimated. For me I tend to do one of three things: explain myself but often I see I’m digging myself in deeper. That failing I withdraw and hide in bed and then try to put as much distance between myself and the potentially scary situation as possible. As for offending people I can discover that after the fact unfortunately There are traits I don’t have. Many people with autism love routine. I can tolerate it in work etc but don’t like it and prefer a flexible environment in my free time. But autism in girls and women wasn’t recognized when I was growing up. Times are different now Well back to the book. One of the children is a girl. Her autism was recognized because she lost her speech. Then or now that’s impossible to ignore. Her mother did many therapies with her. Everyone was overjoyed when after ABA and other therapies she started speaking again. The first word she regained was the same as the last one she lost “ouseau” (sp) the French word for bird. Her autism was impossible to ignore. Her life would not have been like mine because she would have been considered low-functioning without speech or self-care skills Their autistic son was much angrier than their daughter as I said everyone differs. The panicked mother thought two recovered children was too much to hope for but with much work it happened. Parents of disabled children often have a hard road, with everyone differing on whether they find “Welcome to Holland” comforting or offensive. At any rate in this family the two potentially severe disabilities appear to have been temporary. Early intervention can do a lot. But I suppose it’s never too late. I’m glad there were positive outcomes in this family.

I read this book for my autism studies class. This book was definitely an emotional roller-coaster, but was very thoughtful. I loved reading about different experiences different then what I've seen or heard of. This book is a great representation of what families go through when it comes to an autism diagnosis. This book is also a reminder of how far we've come.

Wonderful book for families with an autistic child. I have a child with Down syndrome and wanted to learn more about ABA. This book was recommended by a field professional. As mothers of children with special needs we can all relate to the experience of navigating the field to find proper treatment and therapy in our desire to do the best for our munchkins (regardless of the diagnosis). Our experiences often include opening our homes to the help of strangers and trusting that they know what they're doing. This book sheds light on that very real experience and was a great introduction for me to ABA.

I read this book in the year 1999 when my son was three years old and had just been correctly diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), which means he was in the autistic spectrum. I did the therapy following the curriculum found in this book and also used another book the author wrote (Behavioral Intervention ...). My son's response to the treatment I myself implemented guided by this book was immediate. Going foward 12 years, I am proud to say that my 15 year old son is a totally typical student in one of the most prestigious high schools in the city (that high school is the dream of every kid in my city, but only 1 in 5 is accepted to it). He has no symptoms of autism. He plays 2 musical instruments, has friends and does not know that he ever had a problem. HE WAS SAVED BY CATHERINE'S BOOKS. CATHERINE, IF YOU READ THIS, PLEASE KNOW THAT I HAVE AN ENORMOUS GRATITUTE TO YOU. WITHOUT YOUR BOOKS I WOULD HAVE LOST MY SON. THANK YOU!

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. 😊

アメリカでベストセラーになった本です(英語版)。希望を失い、将来への不安ばかりが募る毎日の子育てに悩む、自閉症や高汎性発達障害児を持つ親には、一筋の光を放ってくれる本です。 3児の母であり、その内2児が自閉症と診断された作者は、ありとあらゆる医療機関、療育センター等を渡り歩き、そこで体験し経験した間違った医者や専門家の選び方、また最後にたどり着いたＡＢＡ方式(応用行動分析学)による徹底した作者なりの育児方法が、アメリカ全土を揺るがし、自閉症児等の障害を持つ親へ、「負けるな!」「あきらめないで!」そうすれば願いは必ずかなうのよと言わんばかりの強いメッセージが、この本をつうじて感じ取れるはずです。そして作者は遂に願いを叶えたのです、自分を信じ、自分のこの手で・・・。

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

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.

Was a gift