Customer Reviews

Kevin and Me: Tourette Syndrome and the Magic Power of Music Therapy

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The topic of Music Therapy is not new to me as I am a Registered Music Therapist myself. The book Kevin and ME is a very sensitive and compassionate story about how the natural gift of music can offer so much hope and relief, and change a young man afflicted with Tourette Syndrome and other horrific disorders, into a special, loving one, with a future to look forward too! I have Tourette Syndrome and know how the tics associated with this disorder can be so painful and completely devastate the lives of so many children and adults. Kevin and ME shows just how much Music Therapy can do for so many that are afflicted with various disorders.
This book should become a part of the reading curriculum in the public school system! BRAVO! TO KEVIN!
Thank you to Patricia Heenan for sharing this book with the world and for being "A VERY SPECIAL MOTHER!"

Author: Raymond Vacchino M.Mus.(MT) A.Mus. L.R.S.M. Licentiate (hon.)

"Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast..." this oft-quoted line is startlingly a propos in Kevin Heenan's case.

This book serves the dual purpose of describing people with Tourette Syndrome who are severely affected and the benefits of music therapy. I have had the good fortune to know two music therapists and have watched them work.

Kevin developed normally for the first nearly 3 years of his life. He suffered from earaches as a toddler and his language was severely delayed. His social difficulties were first noticed in his aggression with peers as a pre-schooler. His younger sister Megan was the only child with whom he had a mostly good relationship.

Kevin was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome when he was six. Facial twitching; grimaces; involuntary swearing and bizarre comments and generally poor language skills were behaviors that were present. Kevin's parents divorced when he was a young child. He became more violent, erratic and out of control. At 10, he was hospitalized for three years. Still in need of a secure facility, Kevin spent several more years in state facilities. His father resumes custody of Kevin when the boy was 15.

By that point, Kevin, medicated since the age of six to control violent behavior and Tourette-related outbursts had started running away. The boy's mother then resumed custody, but Kevin's problems continued. He was enrolled in special programs in high schools in his district; he rebelled as he chafed at the stigma of these educational placements. After years of fearing Kevin's violence and history of running away, the boy's mother has him placed in group homes.

Once in the group homes, Kevin literally steps up his running away. An inveterate soda addict, he goes on soda binges, even taking soda from other residents. Since the sugar jolt has adverse effects on his behavior, he is gradually weaned off of soda. That was the first of many giant steps he takes.

Luckily for Kevin, music therapy was included in the group home program. He responded immediately and everyone was soon singing the praises of the music therapists and music therapy in general. Kevin also became involved in his community, taking on several part-time jobs and even received an award for volunteering at an animal shelter.

From the telling, Kevin will continue to need care and supervision. Hope abounds as he makes progress in socializing with the other residents and by making music his forte. This book makes me think of Stevie Wonder's words "...music is a language we all understand..."

Kevin was in facilities that were part of MHMR (Mental Health, Mental Retardation) which is a Texas agency. Many readers will undoubtedly pick up on that.

I noticed that the word "eradicate," which means "obliterate" was used instead of "erratic," in "Kevin's eradicate [sic] behavior." The word "perseverate" is a damning and extremely harmful word. It has hurt many and is best avoided. The terms "special interests," (if interests apply), "repetitive verbalizations/behaviors," or just plain "repetition" are much more accurate and demonstrate tolerance whereas that other word does not.

Still, this is a good book about life with a person who has an especially severe case of Tourette's in addition to other challenges.