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Autism Book:
In the Eye of the Hurricane
Finding Peace Within the Storm of Autism
Your child is diagnosed with autism...after the shock wears off, now what? High powered diagnostic studies? High priced specialists? What do you do when the professionals all tell you there is simply not much to be done and what little can be done is almost out of reach geographically and financially?
Gordon and Juli Liske lived in central Kentucky where they both worked just to make ends meet for their family. The latest research and expensive specialists were simply out of reach for this average Appalachian couple. This is the wrenching account of what happens when the tears stop and faith and love go to work. Not satisfied with the medical community's opinion of their son Benjamin's condition, or the treatment they offered, these two parents set out on a course to educate themselves and rescue Ben from the storm he lived in daily. Their accomplishments have set the doctors back on their heels and have given hope to other parents facing this growing problem in America.
The Liske's story is now available. All proceeds from this book go toward Ben's education fund. Your support through the purchase of this book is greatly appreciated. Buy your copy today for only $19.95.
As a Licensed Psychotherapist and Behavioral Management Consultant in private practice, I give my strong and enthusiastic applause to the message of this book. Too often, parents bring their challenging children to us "experts" to "fix", and display no motivation to become an integral part of a therapeutic team. My work with children in the autistism spectrum is, and always has been, much more about parent training than "children fixing". The Liskes refused to conform to the limited resources and therapeutic strategies available through conventional avenues. Instead, they educated themselves about behavioral principles, and developed their own home-based, intensive, therapeutic behavioral strategies that brought Ben, their autistic son, back to them. Their "never-give-up" love for Ben transformed his world and theirs from a hurricane of behavioral destruction to a post-storm world of daily wonder as Ben's true intellectual abilities continue to emerge and develop. This book is inspirational, authentic, down to earth in its honesty and style, and should serve as a model for other parents who encounter frustration and ineffectiveness in the professional therapeutic community. I highly recommend "In The Eye Of The Hurricane", and personally look forward to the sequel. (posted May 2008)
B. Kerry Brown, LCSW, MSW, CBA
Licensed Psychotherapist
Behavioral Management Consultant
Certified Family Law Mediator
Certified Parenting Coordinator
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The Eye of the Hurricane is an enlightening and refreshing story of how a family in need can rise above adversity and develop their own solutions to the difficulties they face. Rather than be inhibited by the lack of available services when their young son was diagnosed with autism, Juli and Gordon designed a structured curriculum incorporating direct instruction and best practices. The resulting changes have been amazing. Ben was transformed from a child who was out of control to an exceptional accelerated learner. I fully endorse the manuscript and think it will provide other parents who have children with disabilities with hope and inspiration.
Dr. Mark T. Harvey, BCBA, PhD
Dept. of Special Education, Vanderbilt University
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I just finished your book In the Eye of the Hurricane, purchased at the Florida College Lectures a couple of weeks ago. I was so moved that I felt compelled to thank you for taking the time to write about your experiences with Ben. It's a beautiful story, and I rejoice with you and your family in the successes the Lord has brought through this process.
I am a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Tampa, and also a Certified Behavior Analyst for many years. I also have the opportunity to lecture and hold trainings/workshops for teachers/parents on occasion. Before graduate school, I worked in a behaviorally based language acquisition program for autistic children, doing some of the very things you wrote about. It was generally based on Lovaas' work, and we enjoyed a great deal of success shaping language in 2-5 y.o. children. I hated to leave the program to attend graduate school b/c I loved those kids so much!
I started my career working in a VERY behaviorally structured juvenile offender program for mentally challenged 12-19 year old felons, and learned while working on my B.A. in psychology the value of behavior analysis in the modification of behavior. I've never forgotten my "behavioral roots" as I've moved into other fields of specialty. And so, as I read your book, I could only applaud you and your husband's courage, tenacity, and creativity in learning ABA therapeutic techniques and developing your own program. You were right on, and God has obviously blessed your efforts to find a way to reach Ben.
I'm impressed, touched, and rejoicing with you. You're in my prayers. Keep up the great work!
Kerry Brown, LCSW, Psychotherapist
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Juli Liske's In the Eye of the Hurricane is a profoundly beautiful and moving book. To read it is to share in the journey of the Liske family, not just from rural Eastern Kentucky to Middle Tennessee, but also in their journey from brokenness to healing, from helplessness to empowerment, and from despair to hope. There is a very difficult struggle that parents of children on the autism spectrum come to know. That is, the struggle between the desire to do anything, everything that you possibly can for your child with autism to help ease his way and lessen his challenges, and on the other hand, the innate knowledge a parent has that despite what the world would have you believe, your child is perfect just as he is. Add in the challenges of keeping expectations as high as possible, and it's little wonder many families lose hope, give up the fight, and accept the status quo.
In the Eye of the Hurricane is the story of a family calling on their inner reserve of faith to embrace that struggle and use it as a path to a richer life for themselves, and particularly for their son, Ben. This story of how the Liske's crafted a program for Ben where no program existed, and are continuing to learn to challenge him in the ways he needs to bring out the unique, wonderful person that he will become, is a story that will inspire and challenge ALL of us to become better parents to our own children.
John Shouse, Parent
2nd Vice Chair, Autism Society of America
Past President, Autism Society of Middle Tennessee
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I have had the opportunity to review the Liske’s programming, see videos of their early sessions, and observe Juli doing therapy with Ben. It was difficult to believe she had no formal training in ABA or autism. The early videos documented Ben’s autism. He was nonverbal, had difficulty attending to and interacting with his parents, and engaged in self-stimulating behaviors. When I observed Ben in 2004, he enjoyed interaction with his parents, was able to speak in full sentences, and could read fluently. The Liske’s were able to achieve a miraculous outcome for their child!
Juli is an inspiration to parents everywhere. She is proof that parents can help their children make tremendous gains, even when professionals are unavailable. I have had the privilege of reading her book. I feel that parents of children with autism need a book like this to encourage them. They need to see that they can help their children by educating themselves. This book would also be beneficial to professionals. Parents are a child’s best resource. Professionals providing services to families with children with autism need to recognize the importance of the parent’s role in their child’s success. One day I hope to be able to recommend Juli’s book to all the families to whom I provide services.
Lisa Maurer Ellzy, BSSW, MA
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Book Review: The Eye of the Hurricane
A riveting read that plunges deep into one family’s world of autism. Author Juli Liske spins a real life but atypical autism tale of two rural, working-class parents who confront discouraging, deeply entrenched and disturbing manifestations of the disorder with sheer grit and admirably relentless determination. This is not a book about a wealthy family with a plethora of money, personnel, and resources. And, therein lies, in part, the inspiration and encouragement this book gifts the reader. Another gift for readers is learning how the Liske family burrowed in and created an innovative home-spun intervention team, which is also a lesson in creativity and ingenuity. What results is the culling of an extraordinary little boy and a mother’s journey from despair into the genuine realization of autism’s special blessings. A worthy addition to anyone’s library!
Leisa A. Hammett, mother, advocate, author of forthcoming book: The Journey with Grace: a mother’s reflections of raising a child with autism
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As I read this book, I was impacted on several levels. First, as a parent, my little boy was recently diagnosed with autism. Throughout the book, I found myself crying and smiling at the same time because of the realness to the experiences Juli shares. The similarities of our journeys are striking. From the frustration in dealing with medical professionals to the all consuming fear of facing such a difficult diagnosis, Juli has put words to the wide range of emotions experienced by myself and so many others.
On another level, as a professional in the field of developmental disabilities, I found Juli's writing to be reader friendly as well as responsible and written with integrity. She does not claim to have a cure for autism but is sharing a treatment method that has been effective with her son. She and her family demonstrate what commitment and hard work can achieve.
Lastly, as a Christian, I found myself relying on God and His Word for comfort and strength, specifically using many of the same passages Juli shares in her book.
In The Eye of the Hurricane is a useful resource for any parent at any stage of this journey and for any professional seeking a better understanding of a parent's perspective - Juli offers guidance and support for both parents and professionals.
Kimberly Dean, MA,
Director of Staff Development and Training, Division of Mental Retardation Services
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* All photos on this page by Jen Wood
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