Louder Than Words 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