I Am Intelligent: From Heartbreak To Healing--A Mother And Daughter’s Journey Through Autism
A gripping look into the lives of a mother obsessed with curing her child of autism and a daughter who retains full awareness of her situation.
Reviews (123)
Incredible memoir of courage
All I can say about this powerful book is Wow, Wow, Wow! This memoir by a mother and daughter team will leave you stunned and mesmerized. The daughter has severe developmental disabilities. In the 1980s autism was not well known or understood but I think that would be the current diagnosis. Her determined mother pushed for all the help she could get both from the medical and educational communities. She got many different diagnoses and much frustration. She just KNEW her daughter Peyton understood but the professionals mostly disagreed and told her she had no intelligence at all. When young she seemed to be responding to treatment and could speak a bit but it suddenly all stopped and she withdrew and even became violent. This went on for many years as she grew up and became a big physically powerful woman. The parents had to keep everything locked - slept with her in double bolted doors, kept her wrapped up so she wouldn't spread her feces everywhere - walls, curtains, beds, her own hair and mouth. The perseverance and devotion of the parents is mind boggling. These are really heroic people, though they would be the first to deny it. The father, completely devoted to his daughter, gives up a good job to try to run his own business so she will have a place to work when she grows up. He works 80 hour weeks and it doesn't make it, but his devotion to her never waivers. He has a special bond with her and is so relaxed that he can get her to do things like ride a bike, swim, ski. The mother is the opposite personality - anxious, a worry wart and an absolutely committed fighter for her daughter. They refuse to institutionalize her. Finally comes a breakthrough - but I won't spoil it by telling you anymore. Read it! I read it on my Kindle but have already ordered a hard copy to send to someone.
Runs the Gamut of Emotions
Having attended a school district intent on inclusion from an early age, autism and other similar developmentally-challenged situations are not unfamiliar to me. But to read Peyton, Dianne, & Pat's story with all curtains withdrawn was a real challenge and inspiration. I cried, got pissed, and ultimately finished inspired. Would love to read more about Peyton's thoughts on peace & justice, a pleasant surprise topic at the end. For while the story begins as a struggle for a family with autism, then inclusion, and ultimately faith, it wraps up well beyond any specific "struggle" and the overall crux of all problems: the lack of justice.
Autism? Read this! Segregated class? Read this.
If you have a child who doesn't speak, please read Peyton's book. If you teach children who can't talk, please read Peyton's book. It will tear your heart up, but then perhaps you can understand the principle of the least dangerous assumption (LDA): That when people can't tell us, we must assume they are intelligent. We must integrate everyone. We must end segregation and the use of seclusion in public schools across this country. See also, Restraint and Seclusion: Hear Our Stories.
A Rare View
If you've ever wanted an inside look at child development, autism, and the educational system's response to such individuals, this is it. Written retrospectively, from the mother's viewpoint, an innocent child, whose childhood is derailed by expressive illness and abuse, makes countless dead-end forays into treatment before arriving at the means to unlock the protagonist's inner life by the use of typewritten access, called Facilitated Communication (FC). Spiced throughout this biography is the child's FC comments, written in high prose, which resonate deeply, as one speaking from the heart of mankind as a precocious sage. To survive, and indeed thrive by learning to "talk", and then become a Valedictorian college grad is phenomenal, if not miraculous. Furthermore, this same person is a motivational "speaker", a proponent for the rights of those marginalized by autism and other disabilities. The clear message here is that we all have gifts, though latent and often never discovered. The renewal of a "less than" life is a testament to spiritual development, a going beyond the strait-jacket definitions of diagnoses and intelligent quotas. In a world that increasingly devalues life that is less than perfect or unwanted, this book beams brightly promoting childhood, womanhood, and recovery. Nicely, it reads as a face-paced novel. One knows things will turn out all right, but the surprises and tragedies along the way make it a compelling venture, drawing the reader into the rich inner life of one not known to have one. Read it, buy it for a friend, pass it on, and you'll be adding your vote to a world that craves understanding where it so lacks it.
Hope Given
An amazing story of an autistic girl and her faithful mother who would not give up in getting her daughter the ability to communicate with the rest of the world when the odds were stacked against them. Peyton, although her speech was not intelligible, was intelligent and aware of everything happening around her. She was finally given a voice--and is able to tell what is happening to her, and what happened in the past. Her life was opened to us. We admire her greatly for sharing her life. We weep for the hard things that happened to her. We rejoice over the good that happened and will continue to happen. This book gives us hope.
Remarkable story
Simply outstanding... this book has it all- bitter misunderstanding, love, segregation, acceptance, everyday struggles, inspiration- and an awesome sense of humor. What a much needed perspective for those struggling to seek or provide inclusion in any walk of life- from those familiar with autism to those who just enjoy well-written, worth-while, and meaningful stories. You don't need to have any knowledge of the condition of autism to understand the struggles Peyton and her family endured, not to mention the moments of profound love you can't help but be moved by. Peyton and Dianne's stories are woven together perfectly in a style that is not only fun to read, but often painful and touching at the same time. Peyton's words will make you re-think how the world ought to be, how we can all be better at providing acceptance and love. This book is a treasure.
Eye, and heart, opening.
Autism is so prevalent in our communities but so misunderstood. This beautiful book helps me to appreciate the value of those burdened with autism and other disabilities as persons fully equal to me or any other. I loved the emphasis on oneness, on forgiving, on unconditional all love.
An incredible must read
Through my tears of deepest sorrow at the indignities and fear Peyton endured, and through my tears of joy for this beautiful human being as she progressed, I could barely put this book down. She is an angel who suffered so in her locked up body but persevered as her brilliant and compassionate heart and mind took over. Thank you Peyton for the positive changes s you have and will make in so many lives. Thank you to Dianne, pat, Patrick and all Peytons supporters. An amazing story of a real and very blessed life.
Great Story!
This was an amazing book. It has some parts that are sad, but has an amazing ending. I got very into this book and hated putting it down!
Inspirational and Horrifying
This book was written by an amazing young woman and her mother - Peyton has autism and was at the point of almost total despair when the key to communication was found. Anyone who loves a person on the spectrum and especially their parents or guardians should read this book. Bravo Peyton - and Diane!!
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