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Autism Book: In the Eye of the Hurricane
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 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.
Comments: As the parent of a child with DS, Juli Liske's In the Eye of the Hurricane was recommended to me. The book was not what I expected it to be, but everything that a book can be. Juli's sincere writing style drew me into her experience and to Ben's story, to the extent that it was hard to set the book down. Her honest portrayal of a parent of a child with special needs, was so realistic that I relived feelings and heard my thoughts mimicked more than once in her written word. The tenacity and strenght of character that led her down the path to unlocking the door of her autistic son's capabilites is admirable. The fact that she did not give up on her son, even when experienced professionals were not so positive in supporting her plan was inspirational. *************** 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) *************** 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 *************** 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 ************* 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 *************** 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,
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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?
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.
