Customer Reviews

Mother Warriors: A Nation of Parents Healing Autism Against All Odds

5 star:		(92)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

As I began reading Mother Warriors, the beginning of the book was initially harrowing and inspiring - it was moving to see her talk more extensively about parents' personal experiences with seeing their children regress in their developmental milestones after immunization and slip away into the autism spectrum. However, as I read on, it became apparent that it is a thinly disguised infomercial and that she has now carved out a new lucrative career as an autism spokesperson.

Jenny McCarthy does not disclose in her book that she is a paid spokesperson for Kirkman Laboratories, a supplement manufacturer, that has financial ties to the autism organization Defeat Autism Now (DAN). She was quoted on Kirkman's web site as saying the Kirkman products are the best supplements for autism. She frequently mentions Kirkman products and exclusively promotes Defeat Autism Now organization. She flat out says that every parent with an autistic child must go to a DAN conference. There was also a public announcement in September that she is launching a celebrity brand of autism products.

McCarthy, who has brought Hollywood glamor and marketing tactics to a health issue, has been known to shove people out of the way at autism conferences when pictures are being taken, McCarthy's thin bibliography does not mention other organizations or products, which are often more helpful than the protocols she publicizes.

McCarthy also paints a black and white picture of the Defeat Autism Now organization as being totally helpful, while giving a black eye to the Autism Speaks organization because they primarily fund genetic research into autism instead of the vaccine connection. There is value in determining the genetic links to autism as well as researching the direct impact of the vaccines. I, too, would like to see more research into the vaccine connection. However, publicly running down autism research strikes me as being irresponsible and potentially harmful to progress being made in understanding and treating autism. If McCarthy wants research to fund the vaccine link, maybe she should put some hard work and money she has reaped from autism where her mouth is and start an organization for this purpose.

In her book, McCarthy abrasively and insensitively runs down and dismisses parents whose children have been harmed by the treatments she recommends and whose bank accounts have been drained by inept and greedy medical practitioners, as simply sour grapes.

In wading into the murky waters of autism politics, science, and money in this book, McCarthy is clearly in over her head. DAN, which was founded in part by the late Dr. Bernard Rimland, who was an important and valuable figure in pioneering autism treatments, whom she also quotes, also had financial ties to Kirkman Labs. Rimland, toward the end of his life, was unfortunately also known to slander competing manufacturers, to threaten them to put them out of business (I received this information directly from several supplement manufacturers over the years), and to ban perceived competitors from exhibiting at DAN conferences for years.

McCarthy urges all parents of autistic children to go to DAN conferences. There are other biomedical conferences in addition the DAN conferences that provide information to help autistic children, such as the annual Autism One in Chicago, which, in past, I have found to be much more scientifically impartial and less of an infomercial you pay to attend. Ironically, McCarthy was the keynote speaker at this year's Autism One conference in the spring but this organization is not mentioned in her book's bibliography - only DAN related information.

Although the majority of practitioners following the DAN protocol are WONDERFUL and TOTALLY DEDICATED, and much to be lauded and supported for putting their medical reputations at risk for trying alternative therapies, not all physicians are created alike. Let the buyer beware. Unfortunately, there have also been many instances of individuals touting themselves as DAN practitioners who greatly overcharge for routine tests and mishandle risky therapies, such as chelation, resulting in harm and even death to children on the spectrum. Chelation is the removal of heavy metals such as mercury from body tissues by binding the heavy metals to ingested or intravenously infused substances which are then flushed out of the body, taking the metals with them. Although chelation CAN BE amazingly helpful to SOME children, one should do one's homework and search for the practitioners who are EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE, CAREFUL AND RESPONSIBLE about monitoring the children and are having a high success rate. Be wise and network with your local autism parents organizations and professionals in your area to determine who is competent.

Finally, McCarthy's bibliography with recommended links is way too thin and betrays her lack of depth of knowledge in the biomedical treatment of autism.

So, read, Jenny's book if you will - for the casual reader it is a page turner targeted for and worthy of tabloid coverage. It hits all the right emotional notes (it wouldn't be a McCarthy book if she didn't refer to her anatomy at least a few times) but unfortunately, it also has that scientific level of depth and research of a tabloid article. Painting things simplistically with broad, sweeping media sound bites may pad her bank account but does not necessarily provide real solutions to real problems. Her advice simply will not work for all children and will harm some. I urge all parents with children on the spectrum to do their homework on available autism treatments and choose wisely where they spend their time and money.

Sue Bennett, Autism Coach

I am one of the thousands of Mother Warriors who Ms. McCarthy spoke with during her tour. In fact, it was one year ago that my son was diagnosed with autism. At that time, I had no knowledge of autism or the possibility of treament. Fortunately for my son, Jenny went on Oprah shortly after he was diagnosed and gave us hope and the information we needed to start the healing process for my son. Our story of autism began when my son went for his 12 month well check. It was December in the NW and he had a bad flu and a high fever. I called to cancel his appointment but the nurse assured me that it was more important to keep his vaccines on schedule and it would be perfectly safe. They told me to give him tylenol and bring him in. He recieved his vaccines including the live virus MMR vaccine along with a flu vaccine containing mercury. That was the beginning of my son's demise into autism. I do not believe one single influence caused my son's autism, however I do believe my son was genetically predisposed (we had some strange markers in his ultrasounds.) I believe his immune system was compromised at the time he recieved the MMR. (His blood work shows he carries abnormally high level of Measles titers.)I know what Jenny talks about is controversial and not all cases of autism are the same, however many of us, a large majority share very similar stories. I wish I could vaccinate my children but it is just not safe for me to do so. I wish they would develop tests to see if a child is more likely to react to a vaccine. I wish there was more funding going towards research and programs for autism. I am so grateful for this book because it is bringing much needed attention to the FACTS about autism and how no one is listening to the thousands of parents who KNOW that vaccines triggered our children's autism and that there are biomedical protocols that are helping our children get better. After only one year of a GFCF and SCD diet along with DAN! protocol, antiviral protocol and homeopathy my son is on the verge of recovery. He has lost all previous symptoms of autism, is social, affectionate and although his speech is still slightly delayed, he is in the early stages of being conversational. One year ago he was non-verbal. He is mainstreamed in a general education preschool and has lost all previous sensory problems. I have gone to hell and back with no help from the government, medical community, insurance companies or anyone else. My son's recovery is possible because of the parents who have come before me leading the way and because of Jenny McCarthy bringing this epidemic to the media. I want to be clear, my child was born a healthy happy baby who met all his milestones. There was a definate clear change after his 12 month well check. We as parents are not trying to "fix" our kids. Our kids are MEDICALLY ill. We have thousands of dollars of lab tests and blood work to prove it. Autism is a medical disorder and when we provide our children with medical care and give them proper nutrition, they get better! I hope this book reaches those affected by autism as well as the naysayers. There is a real epedemic happening with an entire generation of our children and we need to start opening our minds, start a discussion, band together and create change. A huge thanks to Jenny McCarthy. She is our autism Angel and because of her, we have our son back. We are forever grateful!
For those people out there who do not believe Ms. McCarthy, I say, how do you have the right to give your opinions when you have not gone through what all of us parents have gone through?? I wish this book was out when I was first pregnant because it would have made me question vaccines enough to go out and do more research. Now that I have done the research (although after the fact for my children) I am horrified to learn the ingredients in vaccines, the number of vaccines and the rush to get them in our children soley to satisfy the insurance companies. Our children are not guinea pigs and that is the point she is making. Jenny McCarthy is not anti-vaccines but anyone with common sense would not support the ingredients, schedule or methods currently used for vaccinating our children. Don't just take her word for it, do you own research. However, don't judge the biomedical autism community without having any knowledge of our experience. Despite what you may have heard it is not a community full of quacks. There is 70+ years of research, scientific studies, and on going unbiased research that supports the medical links to autism. We as autism families are going to hell and back with NO support from mainstream society and we are still healing our children, instead of judging us and calling us quacks, open your hearts and support us. Open your minds and listen to us and becareful not to be so quick to judge because at these rates it is only a matter of time before autism affects your loved ones. Please read this book with an open mind so one more child does not have to suffer the way mine did.

It's December 2011 and my daughter was just diagnosed with autism on October 31. This is the first book about autism I read, and I wish I hadn't read it. Although Jenny has a lot of positive energy in this book, I didn't find it helpful at all. As a matter of fact, I found it disheartening. Story after story, boy after boy, was basically the same. Same symptoms, same things that helped, parents who made their son's recovery their job. I'm not rich, I can't afford to drop everything to concentrate 100% on my daughter's recovery. I can't afford the gfcf diet; everything costs more and it doesn't work for every kid. Autism is a spectrum disorder and by definition covers multiple symptoms, this book seems to be geared toward one niche; boys who have g.i. issues and autism.
If you chose to read this as a biography, it may work for you. I bought this because of the rating and was hoping for help with my new journey. I was disappointed.
Autism is a hot button topic, especially for families affected by it. Please refrain from negative comments about my post. I wrote this as a book review, nothing more.

As a grandmother that is new to Autism, this was the first book I read on the subject. very enlightening. Explained not only some of the characteristics of autism but also let you know where to look for help as the general medical profession seems to turn a deaf ear to parents who know something isn't right but their doctor won't listen.

Fabulous, This will open your eyes to what is going on. Please read and heed the information. It could change your life and your child's future. I am a medical professional and agree 100% that we need to be our own health care advocates and not puppets of a greedy pharmaceutical industry. There are some great advantages to modern medicine but be aware of the negative side effects that are great possibilities. Many times there are natural, healthy alternatives that we can incorporate into our lives that will make a difference. Please Educate Yourself before you inject 36 vaccines with neurotoxins into your precious children. This book by Jenny mcCarthy is so user friendly and easy for the general public to understand. Another great website for more info is [...] by Dr Tinus Smits

I laughed out loud when I read the testimonies of so many parents who had experienced "my" life with autism.

Their cynicism about "conventional medicine", about the rubbish science which says vaccines are safe, the joy of recovering their once autistic child are all my experience too.
There was such a thrill of recognition,a 'comrade in arms' feeling.
I read this book cover to cover all at once-on the day I received it.
Thank God for Jenny McCarthy.
She is spot on the money. Autism IS treatable and recoverable. I know. I'm one of the many mother warriors who saved their child and ,along the way, recovered his siblings from ADD, Chronic Fatigue and insulin resistance by the same protocols.I am forever indebted to the doctors of DAN (Defeat Autism Now)

SHAME on the CDC. SHAME on the IOM and ignorant Paediatricians who still believe autism is for life and incurable. They will live in infamy.Their ethos of CYA (Cover your arse) is despicable.

In this book, JMcC shares her story, and those of other Moms and a Dad across America, who have had children with autism.

I think anybody who already is in this position, or is thinking about vaccinating their child, might find this book valuable.

For example, according to one story in this book a child had a cold, and was given Tylenol, which lowered the level of glutathione, which made the child's immune response even weaker. The child then got vaccinated for three different live viruses, and some mercury. A perfect storm.

I am not suggesting this is the cause of autism, like most people, I don't know, but isn't it better to do a little advance investigation to be safe rather than sorry. There is some evidence in the book that viruses and rubella can cause autism at a later age, and so it's not just limited to children.

If you read this book you will discover that there are several different known causes, there is hope, and there are resources and strategies available, and you are not alone.

In fact, at the back of the book is a list of DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctors across the USA. It's encouraging to know that there is a subset of doctors committed to doing something about this.

I was a little bit disappointed with the Barbara Walters incident on The View, although it is appropriate for Babs to challenge the level of medical support for a cure. At least she did give fair warning.

If you're like me the further you get into this book, the more you realise that something can be done.

It is contentious to use the word cure in relation to autism. But she draws an interesting analogy. You cannot be cured from a car accident, but recover. Similarly, a person cannot be cured from autism, but the person can recover.

For those who say JMcC is too in your face, I am glad someone out there is fighting the fight, and I am glad she now has the company of other Warrior Moms. Yes, the mainstream medical community may take issue, but often change does not happen without some antagonism. So, I hope the antagonism level gets high enough.

I don't know if the author is planning to write any more books on autism. If she does it would be a great help if there was a chapter by a doctor with case experience showing the strategies that they have used successfully with case examples.

There must be many doctors out there who would love to help children with autism.

I trust this is helpful, and hope you get value out of this book, and you can also check out her latest bookHealing and Preventing Autism: A Complete Guide, which has detailed strategies for both prevention and treatment.

Hope this was useful.

My son used to be autistic. A year and a half ago, I wouldn't be able to talk to him, he wouldn't acknowledge me being in the same room with him or anyone calling his name. When I read Jenny's first book, I learned so much about the alternative treatments that doctors would not only not tell, you, but often hide from you. My son is now no longer autistic. He can't be any more normal and people don't believe me when I tell them he has autism.

This book, to be honest I have only read halfway, but with every story that Jenny tells I learn something new. Not only I learn new facts and options, I also learn that I am not alone in this and I learn about what things to consider and explore when helping my son.

I have read the bad reviews that people have left for this book. Hey, if you don't believe it (which chances are you don't have an autistic child) then you don't have to. Jenny is not trying to convince people to do exactly what she does, buy things from certain places, etc. If you have been in our position, struggling to help our autistic children, then you would appreciate then fact that Jenny is opening the paths for us. She is simply letting us know what worked for her and for other parents, and if you want to use that information to help your child then that is great, but if not, then leave us alone. I also read a bad review about the fact that Jenny is highly promoting Kirkman Labs... well, if I didn't hear about these products from other parents then I'd be pulling my hair out trying to find supplements that are SAFE for my special diet child.

This book is a wonderful book about wonderful stories of parents who fight for their children. It should be read with an open mind. If you have a child on the spectrum, then you should understand that Jenny is trying to help... if doctors won't tell us these things then we should be there to help each other out. And if you don't have a child on the spectrum and can't relate to the stories in this book, then leave us alone because you don't know what we have to go through and how much it means to us just to have a glimpse of hope to recover our children. Jenny is not giving us a promise that all autistic children will recover... she is giving us hope. And for most parents, that is all we need.

Inspirational. Factual. Full of hope. A must read for any Mum or Mum-to-be. The most moving book I have read yet still provides practical solutions.

This book will make you cry, make you laugh, give you HOPE. It is by far Jenny's most serious, wonderful, in-depth book to date. Even if you don't yet "buy into" medical or homeopathic treatments for autism, this will give you something to chew on. Something to go "Hmmmm....maybe if it works for that child, it could work for..." It is a very good read!! Just heartbreaking in parts. You'll love it!