A Real Boy: A True Story of Autism, Early Intervention, and Recovery by Christina Adams

From the Publisher

Jonah Adams was diagnosed as autistic at two years and eight months. Just a few years later, a doctor refused to believe such a diagnosis could ever have been given to this healthy, happy boy. This is the true story of how Jonah's mother, Christina, seized his limited window of opportunity for recovery. Detailing how she utilized a combination of a special diet and one-on-one tutoring with speech therapists and behavioral psychologists, Christina shares the entire journey she undertook to give her child a second chance at a full life.

Stephen Shore

Clearly reveals how parental determination can enable a child to grow and prosper.

CA) Press-Telegram (Long Beach

Adams's writing is exceptional...But it's the personal touches that set this book apart. Adams lets us into her intimate world, giving us true-life glimpses of her early struggles with Jonah's autism.

Publishers Weekly

Adams's son, Jonah, was two years and eight months old when he was diagnosed as autistic. Eighteen months later, child development specialists evaluating Jonah couldn't believe he'd had a history of autism. What made the difference? Adams-with the help of her lawyer husband-devoted herself completely to Jonah's treatment, starting immediately with a rigorous gluten and casein-free diet. They enrolled the young boy in a 40-hour a week, one-on-one ABA ("applied behavioral analysis") program for autistic children, supplemented with individual speech therapy and physical therapy. Jonah also took various drugs to reduce perseverative behavior and overall anxiety. Adams, a self-described "Autism Mommy," worked full-time on the intervention process, advocating for Jonah's needs with the school system so they'd cover his high bills, cooking Jonah's special foods and interfacing with each therapist privately and then collectively to help Jonah integrate the lessons into real-world situations. It's pleasing to see Jonah make such a dramatic improvement, although some readers may feel uneasy at how quickly this two-year-old was labeled autistic, or feel disturbed by the intensity of his treatment plan. With the number of children on the autism spectrum growing, Adams's upbeat, inspirational account has a ready-made market-at least with other autism "super parents." Agent, Marcy Posner. (May 3) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Adams, a commentator for NPR's Day to Day, offers an affecting personal narrative about her son Jonah's diagnosis with autism at age two. She conveys the impact of this diagnosis on herself and her family, especially in the months immediately following, providing excellent accounts of how she responded to teachers' and family members' suggestions that Jonah had autism. She also candidly discusses issues that have put pressure on her marriage, e.g., guilt and blame (she took the controversial drug Pitocin during delivery). Adams is not as strong in recounting the treatments used with Jonah-which include Applied Behavioral Analysis and a casein-free, gluten-free diet-failing to provide details on these treatments or listing which treatments did not work. Still, this book clearly illustrates autism's impact on a family and is recommended for academic and public libraries with autism collections.-Corey Seeman, Univ. of Toledo Libs. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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