Daniel isn't Talking

by Marti Leimbach

Three-year-old Daniel isn't talking because he is autistic. His mother, Melanie, has dragged him from one specialist to another, only to find that the diagnosis is the same: hopeless. Furthermore, the stress of his behavioral problems is taking a toll on Melanie and Stephen's marriage. Stephen wants to put Daniel in a special school; Melanie is not ready to give up on her son. What follows is the disintegration of their marriage, and Melanie's discovery of an ally: Andy, the dedicated play therapist.

I appreciated Leimbach's detailed descriptions of autistic behavior and the effects of this behavior on a family, particularly the mother. It is an honest and heartfelt portrayal of a disorder that seems to be more common than ever today. Recommended.

4/9/06