The Bottom Line
Pros
- A celebrity perspective on autism
- Quick and easy to read
- Book ranges from funny to sad to intense
- Includes clear, useful advice for parents
Cons
- Certain parts may be too crass for some readers
- Some treatments suggested are controversial
Description
- Memoir by actress/model about her son's struggle with autism
- Includes details of McCarthy's treatment methods
- An eye-opening account of the limits of celebrity
Guide Review - Book Review: Louder Than Words by Jenny McCarthy
I had no idea what to expect when I opened this book. It turns out that Jenny McCarthy is just as brash, funny and emotionally out there in print as she is in person. It's terrific to read a book about autism that can laugh at itself from time to time. At the same time, it's tough to read about the frightening experiences of a worried mom whose son is truly sick.McCarthy is a celebrity, so I was amazed to learn that she, like everyone else, went through all the frustrations of 10-month waiting lists... difficult therapists... unsupportive relatives... and lived to tell the tale. Of course, she did so in typical fashion, with in-your-face sincerity that some folks may find refreshing -- and others may find offensive. Her response to Mormon missionaries at the door is laugh aloud funny -- though I'm guessing not quite so humorous if you happen to be a Mormon missionary!
At the end of the book, McCarthy offers specific suggestions based on her own experience with her son, Evan. She even provides the email addresses of her doctors. It's important to remember that in addition to the core symptoms of autism, Evan had (and has) quite a few other physical symptoms. So the approaches that she uses may or may not work for your child. It's also important to note that while Evan's symptoms are greatly improved, he is not "cured."
