Friday, July 23, 2010

Autism in Reverse

I gave a presentation many months ago at an annual teacher's convention (out-of-state) and wanted them more than anything to walk away recognizing that kids with autism can improve, that it is worth their time and effort to work with them and their families to try and make a difference. I've had a lot of requests for it, so I recently had the PowerPoint converted into one video that any parent could then show to others to help convey the same message. I hope you will find it helpful!

17 comments:

Bowman's Beach said...

I love this!

Tennille said...

Leann- thank you for your book. I feel as though I am reading my own current life story word for word. I am barely half way through but already it has changed me. I was well into my fight against my sons autism when I began reading but it giving me fuel to continue my vast and soul wrenching efforts to retract my son from his kidnapper.
Thank you- Tennille Hammer Tennillehammer@yahoo.com

Michele said...

Leeann, I started reading your book three hours ago, and just read the last word. I was riveted. I bawled my eyes out and, at times, laughed my head off! You are an inspiration. Thank you, thank you, thank you for allowing yourself to be so transparent. Your honesty brings hope. I fell in love with your family and will keep you in my prayers. Please give Clay a hug from a fan!!! God's blessings always.

Leeann said...

Tennille - My main purpose in writing the book was to provide hope and, if you will, a friend. It's so fulfilling to know that it has done that for you. Thanks for sharing...

Michele - I hope they were helpful tears :) And no, thank YOU for contacting me and for sharing your very sweet comments! Giving Clay hugs right now...Best to you.

Elder Quinn Kay Longhurst said...

I haven't been good at keeping up with all my favorite blogs and friends. This is such a wonderful message LeeAnn. I was getting very uncomfortable at the beginning. I thought, "What the heck! That's NOT true!" Thank you so much for all that you do. You are a voice for those who can't speak for themselves. I'm so lucky to have you as a friend!

Anonymous said...

Ms Whiffen, i found your book by chance. I was hanging on to every word i read. i missed my train stop a few times. I sometimes feel like im losing the battle. I worry about the future for my little girl. After reading your book I am more motivated. I want my little girl to greet me at the door and say How was your day mommy. My husband and i celebrate everything thing she does. I have so many question and wish to be able to write to you. Please advise if there is such an email address. Thank you and God bless you and your family.

Leeann said...

Anonymous - I'm so glad my book has helped you! Thanks for taking the time to write. Please feel free to email me at leeannwhiffen at gmail dot com.

hellotheretracy said...

Leann, The Washington Post recently had an article that Mercury has been found in more than 50% of High Fructose Corn Syrup - which is in about everything. Do you know about this article and if so can you spread the word? I have ideas for gluten-free casin-free lunches at www.youtube.com/tracytalks2u so that people can help their kids recover from Autism. My daughter is now 13 with Autism and it is a daily struggle. I need God's help every day. I am looking forward to reading your book.

Mette said...

WOW! Thank you SO much for both the book and this video. You are really gifted! I am writing you from Stockholm, Sweden. My son, then 2½, was diagnosed with autism in May this year. We started ABA in october :o) We are strating to see much progress and are felling SO happy about it. Thank you for sharing your ups and downs with the world!
All my love to you and your beautiful family!

Leeann said...

Hi Mette from Stockholm! I'm so happy you're seeing such great results. Thanks so much for taking the time to get in touch with me. I hope you continue to see excellent progress. Best to you and your family!

Coconut Milk Yogurt vs Autism said...

Thank you for your continued efforts! It was your book that got us started down the path that has been so beneficial to our son with autism. I'm grateful for your continued support to families struggling to help their children with autism.

Leeann said...

Coconut Milk Yogurt vs Autism - thank YOU for letting me know it helped you. It means a lot to me and is so fulfilling to know it's helping families. Best of luck!

Sonja said...

Hallo Leeann, my name is Sonja and I have a son with autism. We live in South Africa.I have just read your book on autism and I can honestly say(after reading piles of other autistic books) that yours is the best I've ever read. You give an honest look on what it's like to be the mom of a child with autism and above that you give so much information that is truly usefull. Thank you! You inspired me all over again! Please will you visit my blog too.I have started a new blog just now just about autism where I am going to raise funds for the many children in our country that can't afford the help they need.

Leeann said...

Sonja - wow, that really means a lot - thank you for letting me know! Good for you to get involved. It sounds like you're doing great work. I'm anxious to visit your blog and see what you're up to. Best of luck!

Jeanne McDaniel said...

Dear Leeann,
Thank you. I knew something was wrong with Allison, but didn't know exactly what. Even when we got the diagnosis, I was lost. Your book has given me a roadmap to follow. It has also given me hope, weapons and armor. My daughter was diagnosed with autism 3 months ago. She was 2 and 1/2. As soon as I read your book I went on the attack with ABA, gfcf, biomedical intervention, therapy, and anything I could get my hands on to go get her. I did this because of you. Our efforts are paying off as my ABA team tell me of their astonishment at her remarkable progress. They cannot believe how fast we are coming along. I know I am playing a giant game of beat the clock, though, and haven't a moment to waste. She was at 12 mos developmental age when we started this attack and in two months, we gained six months. She was not speaking when we started and now has a vocabulary of over 100 words. She has no issues with eye contact and her stimming is all but gone. She is starting to pretend play and display a sense of humor. She looked at me the other day and with her eyes she told me "thank you for coming to get me, mama." I think you know what kind of communication I am talking about. I thank you and Allison thanks you. Although I may never meet you (I hope I do) You have been so very important to my life. It has been exhausting and we have a long way to go, but I just think of you when I get discouraged. Every little battle we win goes toward winning the war. God bless you and your family. Dr. Jeanne McDaniel chandlerchiro@bellsouth.net

ashlee kent said...

Hi Leann, I just got finished reading your awesome book and it left me feeling hopeful, but also super overwhelmed!!! I have an almost 3 year old GIRL, that's right, girl that was 2 months ago diagnosed with autisim.. I have tried navigating all this on my own and I keep hearing everyone tell me to relax, and calm down but I want early intervention!!! The hardest part of all this is I have 4 other kids, one being a baby!!!!! Let's not mention my oldest is ADD, anyway, if there is any suggestions you could give to me that would be so awesome. I know you are busy but incase you get a moment my email is michaelkent19@hotmail.com
thank you,
Ashlee

LCoakley3186 said...

Leeann, I'm in total agreement with all the other wonderful comments on here. I just finished your book. My son is only 16 months old and was diagnosed with autism. I cried for a week straight, non-stop, all day it seemed like. I'd be sitting at work and start crying, eating dinner...crying. I felt so hopeless.

Thank you for writing your story and giving parents like me such hope that anything is possible. It's nice to read about someone that has been through exactly what I am going through right now and knows how it feels.

Thank you, thank you so much. My son was only diagnosed recently, so we have just started early intervention services etc. After I read your book I was thinking of starting the GFCF diet to see if I see any changes. My early intervention woman has discouraged it telling me it's "very expensive" and "doesn't work." I asked her if she had children. She told me, "No." I said, "If you did you would know that you would do anything, ANYTHING, if even you had the slighest percentage of a chance that it would help."

Your book touched me in so many ways that I cannot begin to describe to you. I was personally moved by the fact that you had an older child (as so I, a daughter who is 2 1/20) and I believe you said you were 26 when this happened with your family. That's the same age as I am now. Seeing how strong you were at my age is really empowering.

I am hoping to see big improvements in my son soon and your book helped me realize that I can't sit around and be sad and crying. I have to be strong for him. Thank you, Leeann!

I would love to hear from you if you're not too busy. I will add my email like everyone else has done as well, lauren.coakley@hotmail.com.