by Kristin Cummings, SLP
Hi everyone, this is Kristin Cummings, author of the Simply Speech Blog! This summer, I started a book club. A few years ago I made a New Year’s resolution to read a new book each month. Well that didn’t work out too well, so I decided to invite other bloggers and readers to join my book club to help keep me motivated!
The first book we read was Carly’s Voice by Author Fleischmann and Carly Fleischmann. This is an amazing story of a young girl and her family’s experiences as she grows up with Autism. This story will definitely tug at your heartstrings and make you look at non-verbal children in a different light. Both Carly’s family and therapists had no idea how smart and witty Carly was until the day that she started typing. My favorite part of the book was when Carly was explaining what Autism feels like from the inside and why some many of her behaviors occur. Doctors and researchers all have guesses as to why people who have autism act the way they do, but it is so much more interesting and informative coming from Carly.  I loved this book and would recommend it to any therapist or parent of a special need’s child. But don’t just take my word for it; here is what others that have read the book along with me thought of it:
This book gives great insight on how families are impacted when there is a family member with Autism.  It depicts how parents want what is best for ALL members of the family, even those with special needs.  The book also enlightens readers on what Autism is like from the other side. I joined this book club to get me out of the rut of reading the same genre and has helped put a spark back into my work as an SLP.    -Michelle
 This was a great read for SLPs.  Carly’s voice gave me insight into the difficulties that parents and siblings go through on a daily basis with some of our students.  I also saw how her parents had determination to not give up on Carly.  I also loved that Carly’s story was a great example of how we SLPs feel that one of our students is “stuck” without communication and we keep working and trying many things to help them find their voice…just like Carly!   -Linda
I really loved this book.  I have worked as a SLP with several children who fit the early descriptions of Carly in this book.  Reading her story really made me take a look at my students and forced me to think about what else can be done to help them get their ‘voice’ out.  Just because a student is considered to have very low cognitive skills does not necessarily mean this is true.  Reading personal stories like this has really helped me to become better at my job, because it makes me think about ALL children differently.  I found myself cheering Carly on in this book, and cannot wait to see what else she does as she grows!  -Rae
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Featured Contributor/Blogger:  Kristin Cummings, M.S. CCC-SLP
Kristin Cummings is a former school-based, and current pediatric private SLP from St. Petersburg, FL.  She is also the author of the Simply Speech blog. You can reach Kristin on Facebook, Twitter, or email below:

• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/simply-speech/359477697406777?fref=ts
• Twitter: simply_speech

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