Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism by Jenny McCarthy (2007, Hardcover)

Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism
The Entertainment Critic Book Review, By James Myers
LOUDER THAN WORDS: A MOTHER’S JOURNEY IN HEALING AUTISM
By Jenny McCarthy
Published by Dutton an imprint of the Penguin Group USA
Publication Date: September 24, 2007
Price: $23.95
Pages: 202
ISBN-13: 9780525950110
A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER
SPOKESWOMAN FOR TACA NOW - TALK ABOUT CURING AUTISM NOW
www.tacanow.org
Four Star Rating ****

“The door opened and a sweet, older-looking man walked in the door. He greeted all of us, and I immediately felt good about him. I started telling him about all the seizure activity that had taken place and what had been said so far. He listened closely but had his eyes on Evan the whole time. I could tell he was evaluating Evan’s bizarre behavior. He asked me a couple of questions and seemed very peaceful about the whole thing. I was starting to feel more and more relaxed as he played with Evan. Then he stood up and opened his office door and told his secretary to cancel his next appointment. I thought to myself, “Wow he must really like us. This is some big VIP treatment.” He closed the door and pulled his chair up close to mine and put his hand on my hand. He looked at me with sorrowful eyes and said, “I’m sorry, your son has autism.”



Jenny McCarthy is best known in American as a comedic actress and a beautiful, blonde haired model. She has a brash, outspoken quality in the tradition of Carole Lombard. Funny, and entertaining, she has written 3 other books that appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list, all of which are known for her typical candor and honesty. Louder than Words is by far and away her most interesting and compelling book. Jenny is the mother of a handsome baby boy, Evan. The first two years of his life are relatively uneventful. Suddenly, he begins to have horrible seizures. Jenny’s “mommy instinct” takes over. She realizes something is radically wrong, and begins what her publishers refer to as a “medical odyssey” to try and help her infant son. Jenny is basically alone on this quest. Her husband in not helpful, her doctors misdiagnosis the problem over and over again, and Evan’s has several life-threatening episodes. Jenny may be brash and crude, but she’s on a mission. Her dedication and persistence finally pay off. An enlightened doctor determines that Evan is autistic.

Jenny then makes a commitment to cure Evan of autism. Like a detective, she goggles up everything she can find. She talks to many doctors, parents, governmental agencies, and private foundations. With an intense, ongoing combination of behavioral therapy, diet and supplements she is able to put a serious dent in Evan’s autism.

Jenny’s book is significant because not only does she tell her story in a very candid and open way. (A word of caution here for the faint of reading, Jen uses very tough language in portions of this book. She does not use politically correct language. She is blunt, bold and profane. She gives us a complete, direct, unfettered description of her thought processes and events, right down to the Mormons that keep knocking on her door. The “F” word has a certain prominence in this book.)

Don’t let that bother you. Her honesty is just part of the charm of the book. It is her willingness to put herself out there that makes this book extra special. She gives us a blueprint and some very

We who have children with autism have been bombarded with books like McCarthy's "Louder than Words" and many others over time. Each of these books try to tell us what is THE cause of autism, what THE cure is, etc...and expects a bandwagon to come along.

I personally did not find this book as wonderful as most. Why? I have a child with autism who was born with it. It is not a vaccination thing. It is not a gf/cf diet thing. It is from multi-organ failure and a tramatic birth that left my child without oxygen for looooong periods of time (think weeks, not hours). I also have a step child on the autism spectrum with Asperger's Syndrome, and I myself have Asperger's Syndrome...both of us are not vaccine related--we have shown our symptoms from early early age.

Is there a cure? No. Can people on the autism spectrum learn to handle their sensory issues? Of course. Therapies, such as occupational, physical, speech, etc work wonders. So does one on one work, direct attention, etc. We on the spectrum simply sense things differently than the normal world...we process the world around us a little differently, but like most other folks, we can adapt to our surroundings. It doesn't take high dollar diets, experiemental therapies that are way out in left field...it just takes a loving parent who is willing to spend the time working with their child and stand up and fight for their needs. It takes patience and time. There's no miracle cure, no one treatment that will simply take it all away...but there is hope, there's a wonderful chance at a normal life.

Books such as McCarthy's do not go into all the details of autism....it only goes into her own world. It does not accurately go into the depths...it simply takes one theory and runs.

Before jumping on the McCarthy bandwagon, do research...look at sources with a good reputation. Don't accept each theory as the gospel. Use common sense in tending to the autism spectrum.

The book was very down to earth and easy to read. The information and websites given to follow up with, were great also. I actually read the whole book in one day because it captivated my interest being the fact that I experienced much of the same with my own son concerning the seizures, vaccines & autism.

The only negative I can say about the book, was that the author has a "Mouth" and uses foul/inappropriate language at least once every few pages. I had to keep my pen in hand to mark them all out, so that next time I read it, I don't have to see all that garbage a second time.

I don't have a child with autism nor do I know any. I bought the book simply because I have read her other 3 and have loved them. I am so glad I read this one though, it has taught me so much about autism - I had no clue. I think everyone should read Louder than Words - Jenny McCarthy has a way of writing that you become emotionally affected whether or not you have or know an autisic child. It is so moving and you really feel Jenny's love for Evan. She is such a strong and devoted mother. I have been a huge fan of her books and can't wait till her next one comes out.

I bought this book because my son was diagnosed as autistic this year and I love Jenny McCarthy from her Singled Out days. I laughed and cried reading this book. I think any parent would get something out of it regardless of whether or not their child has autism. I couldn't put it down. I read it in one evening. Jenny is funny, smart and cares for her son so deeply. It is truly touching and will hopefully be the first of many in the genre. Autism is so huge and growing by the day. The awareness Jenny is raising is priceless. So many are going to benefit from this book. She really puts herself on the line sharing her personal story. This subject isnt easy to talk about. I just love this book. I would especially recommend reading it if you are a family member of an autistic child. It will help you understand what parents go through better and foster more support for them. It is not the parents fault that autism exists. It is not the childs fault. They are not being naughty when they are tantruming, etc. They have chemicals reacting inside their little bodies beyond their control. The main thing I got out of reading this is hope for my son. I am doing everything I can for him. I dont know Jenny personally, but I feel like I have an ally now.