Leah's Voice (Children an Autism)

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"Leah's Voice," by Lori Demonia is a fictional story inspired by two sisters.

Leah's Voice isn't just a "difficult subject" book. It isn't just about Autism. And the author's goal isn't just to help kids "cope with" an Autistic sibling. Lori Demonia knows first hand that there are many challenges that the sibling of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder faces--their sibling's behavior may sometimes be confusing or frustrating, their friends may not be as understanding about why their sibling is different--but she also knows that having a sibling with ASD isn't some constant burden that kids need to "deal with." Siblings love each other! And siblings fight. And they misunderstand and get frustrated. Just like...well...SIBLINGS.

In the book, a little girl named Logan is excited for a play date with her new friend Abby. But when Abby doesn't want to play with Logan's older sister, Leah, because she talks differently and plays differently, Logan gets mad. Why can't Abby understand that Leah is different, but that they can all play together? The book then explores other ways in which Logan and Leah are different (Leah didn't like the movie theater and started crying, Leah is a great artist and helps Logan paint pictures). Logan understands that her sister has Autism, but she doesn't know how to explain it to her friend. Eventually, Abby comes around and realizes that she should be patient and take the time to get to know Leah.

What I like most about this book is that it is, first and foremost, a good children's book. The story is well-told, the characters' feelings are revealed through their actions not just stated by the author (a hallmark of good writing, in my opinion, and one that is overlooked by many seasoned authors of adult literature) and the illustrations are beautiful. [Review by Mary Lavers Feb 11, 2013]



A note about the author:

Lori DeMonia is the recipient of the 2014 Temple Grandin Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award for her book, Leah's Voice.

Lori and her family live in the Philadelphia area where she has worked as a behavioral health TSS, therapeutic support specialist, for 7 years. 

Their oldest daughter, Leah, was diagnosed at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital with Autism Spectrum Disorder when she was 2 years old.

Lori serves as a parent consultant with PEAC - The Pennsylvania Education for all Coalition, an organization that supports inclusive classroom placement for special needs children. 
For more information on this author go to Halo Publishing International