A Will of His Own : Reflections on Parenting a Child with Autism - Revised Edition

Kelly Harland's stories explore her son's life to the age of 14, and the new and unexpected universe she and her husband - both professional musicians - must learn to navigate with him. Will's fears, anxieties, and obsessions can dominate daily life, making a trip to the grocery store seem like a walk across a minefield. But amidst these unpredictable 'flip-outs' and 'freak-outs,' there are moments of wonder. When Will finally learns the give and take of conversation, or dreams about his future, it rekindles his mother's belief that anything is possible. This collection of essays reveals the often dizzying mix of heart-wrenching challenge and sweet elation that comes with a son with autism. Kelly Harland’s stories explore the first nine years of her son’s life and the new and unexpected universe she and her husband -- both professional musicians -- must learn to navigate with him. Will’s fears, anxieties, and obsessions can dominate daily life, making a trip to the grocery store seem like a walk across a mine field. But amidst Will’s unpredictable “flip-outs” and “freak-outs,” Harland finds moments of wonder, and renewal when, for example, Will finally learns the give and take of conversation, or dreams about his future. Over and over Will’s exuberant spirit rekindles his mother’s belief that anything is possible. Reflecting on her life before and after motherhood, Harland finds that despite the pain and chaos of Will’s autism, her life’s horizon has stretched and grown. Her son’s disorder has pulled her in directions she never meant to go, but wouldn’t reverse for anything. A WILL OF HIS OWN should be enjoyed by other parents whose child has taken them into uncharted territory, as well as by readers who want to imagine what that journey entails. A Will of His Own: Reflections on Parenting a Child with Autism, Revised Edition......Page 5 Contents......Page 9 FOREWORD BY JANE ASHER ......Page 11 PREFACE: A NEW "WILL" ......Page 15 A Different Song......Page 19 Moonlight......Page 21 The Shock of the New......Page 25 Ferryboats......Page 30 Potter vs. Potter......Page 35 Into the Pool......Page 40 Afternoon on the Piazza......Page 43 Singer......Page 48 Friends......Page 51 The Lunchmaker......Page 57 Big Talk......Page 61 The King......Page 65 Escalatorland......Page 67 Candy......Page 70 New Voice......Page 75 Soul Deep......Page 78 Window......Page 83 How the King Became the King......Page 88 I Can’t Explain It......Page 91 Desiree......Page 96 School Picture......Page 100 One Dream......Page 103 Grandma......Page 105 A Boy Named Colin......Page 110 Lighting the Candles......Page 114 Hero......Page 118 One Dream......Page 122 Evolution Blues......Page 126 Over Washington......Page 130 Willpower......Page 135 Special Needs Showbiz......Page 137 A Mountaintop in Nepal......Page 146 The Broken Leg Diaries......Page 151 ABOUT THE AUTHOR ......Page 162 Kelly Harland's wonderfully clear, unsentimental and yet moving account of her daily struggles with Will brings a whole new perspective to our understanding [of autism]. Her descriptions of the continually changing hopes and aspirations that she and her husband have for him will have echoes for every parent, especially those of children affected by this complex, multi-faceted condition."--The foreword by Jane Asher, President of The National Autistic Society. Praise for the first edition:. "There's a miraculous alchemy to these stories of one small boy."--The Seattle Ti Will's anxieties and obsessions can dominate daily life, making a trip to the grocery store seem like a walk across a minefield. But amidst these unpredictable "flip-outs" there are moments of wonder. Kelly Harland's stories explore her son's life to the age of 14, and the unexpected universe she and her husband must learn to navigate with him.