I Am in Here: The Journey of a Child with Autism Who Cannot Speak But Finds Her Voice

I Am in Here: The Journey of a Child with Autism Who Cannot Speak But Finds Her Voice

by: Elizabeth M. Bonker, Virginia G. Breen

Narrator: Cassandra Campbell

Release date: November 10, 2011

Listening length: 5 hours, 12 minutes 

Read date: April 28, 2023

My review: 3 out of 5 stars

"She looked into my eyes and blinked hers slowly and deliberately, like a stroke victim, to show me that, although she couldn't speak, she understood what I was saying to her. I stroked her hair softly. 'I know you're in there, honey,' I told her. 'We'll get you out".

Despite the horror of seeing 15-month-old Elizabeth slip away into autism, her mother knew that her bright little girl was still in there. When Elizabeth eventually learned to communicate, first by using a letterboard and later by typing, the poetry she wrote became proof of a glorious, life-affirming victory for this young girl and her family.

I Am in Here is the spiritual journey of a mother and daughter who refuse to give up hope, who celebrate their victories, and who keep trying to move forward despite the obstacles. Although she cannot speak, Elizabeth writes poetry that shines a light on the inner world of autism and the world around us. That poetry and her mother's stirring storytelling combine in this inspirational book to proclaim that there is always a reason to take the next step forward - with hope.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. What I didn't love was the author implying that vaccines caused her children's autism. It is something I almost put the book down over. If she had gone much deeper into her belief of that, I might have put the book down, but the mentions were brief and thankfully she focused this book on her non-verbal daughter and not how she thinks she "contracted" autism. It was interesting to read about the different treatments they were trying with both Elizabeth and her son, also autistic. I also really enjoyed seeing the world through Elizabeth's poetry. Though non-verbal, she uses a word board to communicate. Being able to "see" how she thinks of things, makes you change your perspective a little bit.