When Silence is Not Golden
A captivating nonfiction book tells the story of a family which grows to appreciate the difficulties they faced and realizes the gifts that come with autism.
The critically acclaimed author opens up about her personal experience caring for her autistic son, Gregg Robinson Baron, as well as how he learned to comprehend and express himself through music, thanks to Elvis. The plot tells a family’s journey with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The book also offers an up—close and eye-opening look at how the autistic mind distinguishes itself from others.
A key point in the book “ When Silence is Not Golden” takes us back in time when Gregg spoke his first words at the age of eight. As Baron narrates.
“ He watched for the first time the movie, “ This is Elvis”
The film, a semi-documentary biography of the King of Rock ‘N Roll, focused on Elvis Presley’s extraordinary rise to stardom and his untimely death rather than his music.
A moving chronicle of the singer’s life and outlines Presley’s private moments, including his inability to cope with his popularity, his seemingly
destructive moments and his last performance.
As Elvis Presley’s life unfolded on screen, Gregg sat in front of the television unmoving, captivated
enraptured, and fully alive. He viewed the same images we saw
six years prior, that fateful day on August 16, 1977, when Elvis's death was broadcasted around the world.
Gregg sat in rapt attention and unwavering focus in front of the television, watching the more than two-hour film.
I’ve never seen him act like this before as if his mind was actively working.
He was thinking about what he saw on the screen.
Later that evening as Robin and I were getting ready for bed, I heard stomping
out in the hallways, softly at first but becoming louder and louder and louder.
Gregg is at it again, Robin said. He was convinced Gregg was
having another meltdown. What is it this time? I sighed in exasperation and headed to the door.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw Gregg down the hallway, walking to
and fro, stomping as he went, rousing everyone in the household
But I also heard an unusual sound, a guttural voice that
I could not identify. Gregg, what are you doing? What
is going on I cried out. He ignored me and went on as
before, packing back and forth, all this time excitedly
waving and flailing his arms.
Honey, what's wrong? I came forward to calm him. When Gregg
turned around and faced me. I realized it was his voice I was
hearing. He was babbling some words I did not understand.
E-L-V-I-S… E-L-V-I-S, ELVIS… Gregg continued. It took a
moment to completely process what was going on. My son was
talking! Hearing him speak turned me speechless and immobile. I could
not understand what he was saying, which sounded like an alien
language. Yet there was unmistakable joy on my son’s face as he
danced and jumped while blabbering incoherently… E-L-V-I-S… E-L-V-I-S, ELVIS!
As Gregg babbled on, I listened carefully and tried
to make sense of the words coming out of his mouth. What
is he talking about? Then it dawned on me, and I finally
understood what Gregg was saying ELVIS! He was saying Elvis Pres
leys name. He was spelling Elvis's name.
When a child with autism spectrum disorder makes their first
language breakthrough, it is a significant moment.
So, when I heard my son speak for the first time, it felt like
my world had stopped, and everything I knew ceased to exist.
Lourdes demonstrates how she connected with her son
a fascinating young man with a complex mind. Appreciating
the challenges experienced and how through faith she found
the strength needed to help him grow and flourish in his way
Expounding on charming illustrations between the family
and the daily challenges that those with ASD and their families
face and ultimately overcome, sometimes with great effort.
Gregg came to me, Subhuman. He was devoid of social and
physical skills and was totally dependent on me. But in his
own unique ways, he gave me reverence and showed me a better
the version of myself.
Most of all, Gregg taught me the Simple
truth: The Miracle of Love is the Mystery of Life- Lourdes
Duque Baron.
Moreover When Silence is Not Golden expounds on how
communication can be uniquely developed, the different
experiences of caregivers, and inspirational stories
of self-discovery that is identified through
navigating through living colors.
An interesting fact that must be noted. Many individuals
that was labeled autistic back in the early 1990s were
considered by many in their communities as intellectually
incapacitated, in some ways, these people exuded solid, if not
superior cognition. Abilities such as perfect musical pitch,
visual hypersensitivity, greater intensity of colors,
heightened pitch detection, superior auditory discrimination
savant syndrome, the capacity to understand certain
technologies with no prior experience.
According to these same studies, a great many cases were evaluated
extensively and it was difficult to say whether the person
should be called autistic or genius.
When Silence is not Golden is slated for release in November
15, 2022, and will be available for purchase on Amazon.
Source Credits:
CARLA FRUEH EOTM Media Group
Cision PR Web Sept. 17, 2022