The Sound of a Miracle: A Child's Triumph over Autism

In the first personal story about autism that offers a successful new treatment, a mother tells how her daughter's condition affected the whole family, as stress and guilt gave way to hope and love

YA-- Stehli relates the details of living and coping with her unresponsive, autistic child. Doctors and psychiatrists led her to believe that she was an inadequate mother and wanted her to institutionalize her daughter, Georgie, but she insisted on keeping the child at home, sending her out only for schooling. When Georgie began auditory training in Switzerland, she became a different person as her hearing changed. High school students interested in working with exceptional children or planning medical careers would be most interested in this book. Written in a lively, readable style, with much emphasis on Stehli's conflicting emotions, it would also be good for those interested in psychology. --Dorothy Addison, Woodlawn School, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Stehli's daughter Georgiana, born in 1965, was attached to inanimate objects and completely indifferent to any human contact. She was diagnosed as autistic, and the effort to find a cure began. She met professionals who advised, "Just love her!" and others who, citing Bettelheim, blamed the mother for creating a hostile environment. The book takes readers through hospitalizations, school problems, divorce and remarriage, and death of Georgiana's sister from leukemia--a story of grief that is almost overwhelming until their trip to Europe for auditory training to cure Georgiana's sensitivity to noise. After ten days her symptoms went away, her senses reacted more normally, and her behavior improved so much that family and friends hardly recognized her. Stehli's is a powerful story of courage, hope, and determination. Highly recommended.
- Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, Pa.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.