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April is National Autism Awareness Month

Tue, 04/07/2009

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April is National Autism Awareness Month, and the entire globe celebrated World Autism Day on Thursday, April 2.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) describes autism as "a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills."

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has identified a spectrum of related disorders. "Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs), cause severe and pervasive impairment in thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. These disorders are usually first diagnosed in early childhood and range from a severe form, called autistic disorder, through pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), to a much milder form, Asperger syndrome. They also include two rare disorders, Rett syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder."

The genesis of the disorder is a hot-button issue amongst parents and medical professionals, and the subject of extensive research and heated debates. At Penguin we have a number of books by a variety of authors that inform, educate, sympathize and share the inspiring and heart-breaking experiences of families affected by autism.

Today, in honor of National Autism Month, we are featuring Jenny McCarthy's new book entitled Healing and Preventing Autism, and her other titles that discuss her opinions and experiences of autism, a disorder that has affected her life in a very personal way.

	Healing and Preventing Autism by Jenny McCarthy and Jerry Kartzinel, M.D. Media Tour Info: Upcoming National TV: 4/14 Ellen DeGeneres Show 4/16 Bonnie Hunt Show 4/20 E! "Chelsea Lately" CBS/"The Doctors" taping 4/17, airdate TK. The entire hour-long episode will focus on Jenny, co-author Dr. Jerry Kartzinel, and Jenny's autism organization
Media clips: 4/3 Larry King Live 4/2 CBS Early Shoq 4/1 Good Morning America 4/1 and 4/2 Access Hollywood Time Magazine Q&A Synopsis: Jenny McCarthy-whose bestselling books Louder Than Words and Mother Warriors told the stories of healing children with autism-teams up with a preeminent autism doctor to write the first book on a remarkably effective treatment. In 2006, autism became the leading disorder affecting children in the United States. While diagnoses skyrocket and parents struggle to find help, a group of innovative doctors has been pioneering therapies and treatments that are remarkably effective in healing conditions associated with autism. As word spreads about these incredible discoveries- helped in part by Jenny McCarthy's book Louder Than Words- parents are desperate to learn about the biomedical therapies for themselves. Since early intervention is key to a successful recovery, McCarthy has teamed up with Dr. Jerry Kartzinel, the doctor who successfully treated her son, to write the first book to give parents all the necessary information about biomedical treatment. Beginning with diagnosis, Dr. Kartzinel explains the different therapies that he uses. He shows parents how to make simple changes to their child's environment and diet that can result in marked improvements and are safe and easy to try at home. And finally he explains some of the more advanced therapies that many doctors use today, and the way parents, alongside a qualified medical professional, can determine whether or not such treatments would benefit their child. For new parents, Dr. Kartzinel provides helpful guidelines on how to best protect their child from developing autism. Introduction by Jenny McCarthy: MOST PEOPLE IN THE AUTISM COMMUNITY have heard my story of how I fought to get my son back from autism. For those of you new to my story, I'd like to share with you the events that led us down this path that an increasing number of families are experiencing right now. Evan was two and a half years old when I found him in his crib convulsing and struggling to breathe. I had no idea it was a seizure until the paramedics began talking about how to stop it. I was hoping it was a fluke, but my nightmare had only just begun. Three weeks later Evan started seizing again, but this time he wasn't struggling to breathe. His body just lay lifeless as foam started to come out of his mouth. I prayed to God to make it stop, but it didn't. Minutes later his body went blue and his eyes dilated. I knew he had just gone into cardiac arrest. As I begged God to bring him back to me, I felt this overwhelming feeling of calming energy. If it could have spoken, it would have said, "Everything is going to be okay." I trusted this energy. I felt that this experience happening before my very eyes had a purpose. After two minutes the paramedics revived him. The "calming energy" was right. He came back. Everything seemed okay. Unfortunately, it was short lived. Evan seized on and off for the next seven hours. The doctors didn't know what to make of it; they told me he had epilepsy. But I knew there was more to it. Everything in my mommy radar was screaming, "Keep looking, there's more." So, I hunted for the very best neurologist, someone who would give me insights into my unanswered questions. He took one look at Evan and said, "I'm sorry; your son has autism." I died in that moment. All of my future images of Evan getting married or hugging me on his way to college broke into a million pieces. I recalled all of the oddities Evan had had that had led up to this point. I had thought the flapping of his hands or staring out the window for hours made him "special." I had no idea it was autism. Continue reading the introduction here.
Other Titles by Jenny McCarthy:
	Mother Warriors: A Nation of Parents Healing Autism Against All Odds Book: Paperback \| 8.26 x 5.23in \| 272 pages \| ISBN 9780452295605 \| 31 Mar 2009 \| Plume \| 18 - AND UP Add to Cart Synopsis: *Stories of hope and recovery from a nation of parents of autistic children, by the high-profile, bestselling author of Louder Than Words.* When Jenny McCarthy published Louder Than Words, the story of her successful efforts to save her son, Evan, from autism, the response was tremendous. It hit #3 on the New York Times bestseller list; and Jenny and Evan were featured on the covers of several magazines, including People. But what she hadn't anticipated was the overwhelming response from other parents of autistic children, who sought her out to share their stories. No two autistic children heal in exactly the same way. And in her new book, Jenny expands her message to share recovery stories from parents across the country. Mother Warriors, shows how each parent fought to find her own child's perfect "remedy of interventions" and teaches parents how to navigate safely through the many autism therapies. Along the way, Jenny shares her own journey as an autism advocate and mother as well as the progress of her son, Evan. Emotional and genuinely practical, Mother Warriors will inspire a generation of parents with hope.
	Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism Book: Paperback \| 8.26 x 5.23in \| 224 pages \| ISBN 9780452289802 \| 26 Aug 2008 \| Plume \| 18 - AND UP Add to Cart Synopsis: *The New York Times* bestseller that is an inspiring "story of hope" (People) for parents of autistic children** One morning Jenny McCarthy was having a cup of coffee when she sensed something was wrong. She ran into her two-year-old son Evan's room and found him having a seizure. Doctor after doctor misdiagnosed Evan until-after many harrowing, life-threatening episodes-one good doctor discovered that Evan is autistic. With a foreword from Dr. David Feinberg, medical director of the Resnick Neuro-psychiatric Hospital at UCLA, and an introduction by Jerry J. Kartzinel, a top pediatric autism specialist, Louder Than Words follows Jenny as she discovered an intense combination of behavioral therapy, diet, and supplements that became the key to saving Evan from autism. Her story sheds much-needed light on autism through her own heartbreak, struggle, and ultimately hopeful example of how a parent can shape a child's life and happiness.
	Life Laughs: The Naked Truth about Motherhood, Marriage, and Moving On Book: Paperback \| 8.26 x 5.23in \| 240 pages \| ISBN 9780452288294 \| 27 Mar 2007 \| Plume \| 18 - AND UP Add to Cart Synopsis: Jenny McCarthy, New York Times bestselling author of Baby Laughs and Belly Laughs, speaks candidly about the challenges and the humor to be found in balancing motherhood and the ups and downs of marriage. Jenny McCarthy's honesty has made her a bestseller. In Life Laughs, Jenny opens up about all of the things no one told you before you got married and had kids. Of course there's plenty of Jenny's outrageous humor, but she also writes openly and for the first time about doing your best when marriage falters and about her own divorce, which made headlines when it was announced in the summer of 2005. Jenny doesn't pretend to be an expert in her books; she is instead something more valuable-a good girlfriend. Catch Jenny's take on growing older, finances, PMS, sex, dating . . . and again, mommyhood. Jenny McCarthy is a trusted, brand-name, bestselling author, and Life Laughs is poised to be her biggest book yet.
	Baby Laughs: The Naked Truth About the First Year of Mommyhood Book: Paperback \| 8.26 x 5.23in \| 224 pages \| ISBN 9780452287198 \| 04 Apr 2006 \| Plume \| 18 - AND UP Add to Cart Synopsis: Jenny McCarthy's hilarious, no-holds-barred personality has made her an instant recognizable TV personality and, more recently, a bestselling author. In Belly Laughs, McCarthy's first book on motherhood, she documented the absurdities of pregnancy-everything from gaining "ten pounds of breast and suffering hot flashes so intense that she steamed up the car windows to having "pig-in-the-pasture" third trimester sex. In Baby Laughs she now examines, with equally riotous candor, the full range of challenges that new mothers face, including: The humiliations of postnatal "numbing spray," Tucks medicated pads, and adult diapers; bleeding "udders," jelly belly, balding, and gum disease; and becoming a "five-foot puke rug" for the baby Heart-stopping terrors, such as baby manicures, breathing checks, burp failures, missed "milestones," and flying "cocktail wieners" Inadequacies, such as lullaby illiteracy and the need for a "heavy rotation" of toys, videos, and mobiles Daddy antics, such as infant wrestling, home-movie mania, sleeping like a log, and--gulp!--expecting sex Dueling grandmas, germ-ridden guests, girlfriends blind to the charm of a heart-shaped poo-poo, Olympic-class competitive mommies, anorexic pets-and much more. Mothers and fathers will find much-needed relief and insight in this sometimes touching, sometimes gritty, but always perceptive and outrageously funny account of what it truly means to have your very own small bundle of joy. Read an excerpt here