Late-Talking Children

Rating:
Summary: Reassurance at what cost?
Review: This book, like Mr. Sowell's past columns and current book on this subject have very little to do with child development and a great deal to do with destructive and wholly wrong stereotypes and myths.

We have more than 30 years of clinical evidence that autism, and other PDD spectral disorders are neurologically based and have no connection to "refridgerator moms" or other hideous long standing myths. Further, we have decades of clinical evidence that shows, clearly, that although delayed in social and communication skills, even the most severely autistic child is typically loving and affectionate. In fact, affect, in the form of a warm patient/therapist relationship, is central to the only autism early interventions with significant clinical evidence to support their theraputic value.

Special bonds with a particular adult, child, or sibling are so common that the DSM diagnostic guidelines were revised to emphasis age appropriate peer to peer behavior when analyzing social development. Yet still, for more than a decade, Mr. Sowell has recited the myth of autistics being unable to build relationships to justify his division of a logical, broad spectrum of symptoms into distinct and unrelated groups.

I understand the need for emotional crutches. I see it not in parents "traumatized" by the stigma of an autism label, but in parents living with its reality. Or in the reality of nuturing children with Down syndrome, CP, or other severe disabilities. It is a tremendous burden, and it takes its toll on many. But what I do not understand is the need to create crutches by dehumanizing some of society's weakest members.

A low functioning autistic child often lives in a world where sounds are painful and terrifying, touch feels like acid on the skin, and words come with only agonizing difficulty. These children have to overcome tremendous fear and anxiety to perform even simple tasks, yet they learn, love, and try. Parents who need to pound them into inhuman crutches to cope with their own fears and anxieties should feel, I think, less reassured and more ashamed.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing but Praise!
Review: As a parent with a late talking child I found this book inspiring, hopeful and useful. My child meets all of the criteria listed and has indeed developed as outlined in this book. An excellent read for parent who have children who fit the "Sowell profile".

Rating:
Summary: Dissappointed and Offended
Review: I gave this book one star only because zero stars was not an option!
While this book provided some interesting observations and insight, I found the author to be patronizing, arrogant and offensive. My son's speech pathologist was not even able to finish the book because it frustrated her so much. Thomas Sowell seems to be rationalizing his own child's experience and using this book to reassure himself. The tone of the book implies that children with "other problems" are lost causes and not capable of contributing to society in a worthwhile way.
The fact is that all children have needs to varying degrees and in various ways. Just because a child's needs may be more demanding than the 'average' child - it does not mean that they are unworthy of love and attention. (One parent's account in the book actually states that she had given up on her child when he had been diagnosed as autistic. After the family was told by other providers that the child was not autistic - the mother confessed to her sleeping child that she would never stop loving him again!!!) I need books that inspire me to provide the best for my child. While, Thomas Sowell actually discourages early intervention. This type of wait-and-see approach can only allow the gap of the delay to grow larger, as apposed to nipping the problem in the bud or hopefully finding out that intervention is not necessary.
If you are just trying to reassure yourself that your child is just a late-talker than this book may satisfy your need. However, if you are trying to get some quality information regarding speech delays...I suggest you look elsewhere. Specifically, I recommend "The Late Talker: What to Do If Your Child Isn't Talking Yet." by Agin, Geng and Nicholl.

Rating:
Summary: First Book to Address NON-AUTISTIC Late speakers
Review: When a child is late to speak, the big red 'A' of autism is quickly branded on the child's forehead. Autism has no cure. You can't outgrow autism, yet mysteriously many children who don't speak are branded as autistic, yet experience a miraculous recovery.

This book started from an off-hand comment made by economist Thomas Sowell, in his regular column about his own son. He made a comment about his child doing quite well in upper education in a highly technical, math intensive field, after being branded as an imbecile as a child, for speech delays. Mail poured in from all over the country, most letters saying, "That's my boy!". This inspired Mr. Sowell to start researching this odd phenomenon. It seemed there was little data on late speech in children of normal or higher intelligence.

This first book is mostly anecdotal evidence, but as it so accurately described my husband, his father, and our children, I knew that we were on the right track. As a mother of 3 late speakers that fit the profile described in this book, I am thrilled to see that this book sparked some debate, and some research in the area of non autistic late speakers.

Rating:
Summary: reassurance
Review: This book was a godsend for me. After my 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with severe verbal apraxia but the intellect of a 6 year old, I went searching for information and help. Speech therapists, other books, web sites all put a dismal outlook on her future. BUT,I knew in my heart that things were not as bad as they seemed. I knew my child and was struggling to make sense of this. I ordered both of the authors books on speech delay and went right to work. My daughter and the study group in the book were exactly the same. This book opened windows of hope and new thinking for us. Not all doctors and "authorities" are right. Trust your gut instinct do what you think is right for your child. I did with the help and guidance of this book. Thank You Thomas Sowell.

Rating:
Summary: The Search for Answers was Over!
Review: My son was 3 years old and still not talking when I happened upon this book at a used book store. I felt like I'd been handed a gift from God. I read the book, then re-read it, highlighting the areas that described my son perfectly. I cried as I did so because, for the first time, I didn't feel alone. This book give invaluable insight into children, like my son, who are obviously bright, just not verbal. The text is clearly written, easy to understand, and gives practical advice for seeking help with your non-verbal child. I highly recommend this book to anyone who's child is not talking by age 2.

Rating:
Summary: Obsoleted by sequel
Review: Almost all of the content in "Late-Talking Children" is repeated in the sequel, "The Einstein Syndrome: Bright Children Who Talk Late". In reading these books back to back, I feel that the latter is really just a 2nd edition of the former despite the title change. I strongly recommend instead the "The Einstein Syndrome" published by the same author a few years later.

Rating:
Summary: Late Talking Children
Review: This is a great book for parents of late talking children who do not know where to turn when all the experts tell you things you know are not true about your child.
You will find several examples of different late talkers and what became of them as adults. With this information you will see that there is light at the end of the tunnel and a very bright light it is.
This book also gives you examples of different programs that parents have put their children in and how it effected them.
This book is a wonderful book for parents of late talkers and it will open new doors for you. It's a must read!

Rating:
Summary: Litmus test
Review: This book is a must read for parents of late-talkers. It encourages parents to seek out professional advice. I suggest bringing this book up even if you KNOW your child has a learning disability. It is a litmus test to see if your therapist is receptive to questions and concerns you may have about their techniques and diagnosis, factors that can greatly effect your child's success. Sowell's positive experience with a speech therapist came only AFTER he found one who was willing to consider a father's observations. This book doesn't give false hope, it empowers a parent to find someone focused on working with them as well as their child. "Normal" late-talkers exist. Even if they are an extreme minority, they deserve the same attention as children with long term disabilities, wich can benefit ALL late-talking children.

Rating:
Summary: False Hope.
Review: This book gives false hope to parents whose children are nonverbal due to PDD,Tourete Syndrome, SI dysfunction, Asperger systromes or children with undiagnosed Oral motor Problem. So Readers beware.