Deseret News | 'A Child's Journey Out of Autism' is a must-read

Reader comments
Lee Benson: 'A Child's Journey Out of Autism' is a must-read

Anonymous | 3:07 p.m. March 8, 2009

I have to say I am very disappointed in this article.

NO details at all.

No details about the form autism these peole had to deal with,

nor any details about what they did.

But Benson is a very good shill for a book.

Anonymous | 4:00 p.m. March 8, 2009

I praise Leeanne for her fight against autism. She has done wonders for the autism community. But just because certain things worked for Clay does not mean they will work for all children with Autism. I have a son with Autism and I know about the fight.

I am happy that Clay was able to recover. I wish the best for them.

Anonymous | 8:35 p.m. March 8, 2009

Science and modern-medicine (not so-called) have done anything but turn a blind eye. Vast amounts of money and time have been spent researching the cause and best treatments for autism. Genetics do play a very strong roll in the development of autism. Vaccines do not.

Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that there is no link between vaccines and autism. Our scientific tools are more than sufficient to determine a link, if it existed. Well designed studies, on multiple continents, involving millions of children, have been negative.

It is sad when a child is diagnosed with autism. It is also sad when we waste time and resources trying fight something that isn't the cause.

Comments continue below

thanks | 9:02 p.m. March 8, 2009

i will read it!

Pat | 9:33 p.m. March 8, 2009

I'm a Dad of kid on the Autism Spectrum, here in Utah. I got my book from Amazon last week and finished it before the end of that day. I was really surprised at how well it was written. I know about Clay's Law, and the good that Leeann is trying to do. It's great to read their actual story - very different from my own, but so affirming to read and know that other people share similar feelings. It was validating to my feelings in many ways and was refreshing to hear that other people have these same worries, fears, feelings of guilt and confusion, etc, etc. I've shared it around with some family members so they can get a glimpse into what we go through, and they've really had their eyes opened.

I agree with Lee Benson that it's a really important book. She doesn't say all kids will be like hers, and she definitely does not say vaccines were the cause. Like the rest of us, she has no idea - but we all hope to learn someday. Here's to hope and offering support to each other!

James | 9:20 a.m. March 9, 2009

I have a son with autism, and i have to say it's pretty offensive to see his condition talked about as a "plague," and autistic people as being "imprisoned" by their condition.

My son is a happy kid who has a lot of challenges because he happens to have been born with a developmental disability. He is not a tragedy or a casualty; he is every bit as human as the rest of us.

This issue of "cure" and "recovery" is much more complicated than you realize, as is the whole idea of an autism "epidemic." (You may not know, for example, that the diagnostic criteria for the condition have been greatly broadened over the past couple of decades, meaning people who never would have been considered autistic before now fall under the autism spectrum.)

I'm glad this family has met such success in treating their child; i just don't think such overwrought descriptions of autism are necessary or helpful, no matter how much you like the book.

Thanks ...

Lin | 10:00 a.m. March 9, 2009

I, too, am the mother of a child with autism. Like Leeann, I too, love my child as much, if not more, than life itself!! I love him regardless of his ability and/or disability; but never, ever would I hold him back from reaching his very fullest potential! Like Leeann, I will continue our family's fight to help our son, no matter how long the road; no matter how difficult the battle. Thank you Leeann for your gift of HOPE!!

to James | 11:14 a.m. March 9, 2009

You really need to read the book in order to understand those "snippets". Otherwise, your frame of reference and comments are out of context. Her son wasn't born with autism - he progressed "normally", hitting all of the developmental milestones, and then lost his language, eye contact, etc. To her, the boy did become imprisoned - losing his character. Very different than your situation.

Also, diagnostic criteria really hasn't changed much - and if it really did, we wouldn't see the increase of those admitted to permanent facilities as we do today (they would be able to still live at home, since they weren't as "severe"). There have been a lot of presentations/studies on this from the CDC (who has called this a National Public Health Crisis) and other medical organizations. It's well established that the increase is real, and so too are treatment options like some of those used by this family. If you read the defintions of the words recover, cure and epidemic, you'll find that the references made are actually spot on.

To me, anything that raises awareness - helping to find causes and treatments - is very welcome. Read it.

Pat

annonymous | 6:52 p.m. March 10, 2009

Who diagnosed the autism?

jayna | 6:53 p.m. March 10, 2009

How was the diagnosis made and by whom?

Pat | 10:27 p.m. March 10, 2009

It's in the book - read it and you will know which doctor in Utah diagnosed her child with ASD, and which doctor evaluated him and removed the diagnosis a few years later. It's standard DSM-IV table criteria, like is used for every other child. It's kind of pointless to try and discuss the issues without people reading the book to know the facts/story - and it would be hard to discuss in the 200 word limit of these message boards.

jayna | 9:48 a.m. March 11, 2009

I should have been more clear. I am not really interested in a specific name. What type of facility? If I had access to a bookstore I would go and browse the book before purchasing (recession, you know) but I don't and am interested the facility used for diagnosis. I am not trying to cause a stir--just want to know who/where and what their title is that made the original diagnosis.

jayna | 10:32 a.m. March 11, 2009

I should have been more clear. I just wondered the type of facility, not really an individual's name. If I had access to a bookstore I would browse the book before buying it (recession, you know) but I just wondered where/who by title and type she/one goes to.

jayna | 7:47 p.m. March 26, 2009

OK I read the book, didn't see a diagnosis of autism (just characteristics of POD NOS) There must be more. Surely she did not consider a KOTM diagnosis valid. I no two kiddos whose mom's took them there and while KOTM was incredible the children left them considered "autistic" but entered regular kindergartens with no special help. The book is well written, the author certainly has a flair for writing. But I would not call it a "must read" by any stretch of the imagination.

Jackie | 4:40 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009

Read the book; loved it! Have no children with autism, but found the book inspirational. Thanks for sharing the review.

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