A Different Kind of Boy: A Father's Memoir About Raising a Gifted Child with Autism

by Dan Mont

Overview

A little nine-year-old boy looks down at the gymnasium floor. The room is filled with children who like and respect him, but he has no real friends. He can barely name anyone in his class, and has trouble with the simplest things - recognizing people, pretending, and knowing when people are happy or angry or sad. Much of his life has been filled with anxiety. He is out of step with the world, which to him is mostly a whirlwind that must be actively decoded and put into order. And yet he was only one of seven fourth graders in the United States to ace the National Math Olympiad. In fifth grade he finished second in a national math talent search.

That boy is autistic. He is also loving, brilliant and resilient. In this book, his father writes about the joys, fears, frustration, exhilaration, and exhaustion involved in raising his son. He writes about the impact on his family, the travails of navigating the educational system, and the lessons he has learned about life, what it means to connect with other people, and how one builds a life that suits oneself. And, oh, yes, math. Lots about math.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781846421785
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	12/12/2001
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Daniel Mont is the father of Alex and Simon Mont. Alex, who is autistic, is now a fully mainstreamed ninth grader. An economist specializing in disability and welfare issues by day, Daniel has been an Assistant Professor at Cornell University, a Principal Analyst for the Congressional Budget Office, and is now with the National Academy of Social Insurance. By night, he is an actor and a writer. Several of his plays have been produced in the Washington, D.C. area and in New York City. He is presently working on a novel.

Table of Contents

A Fair-Haired Boy. 2. 'You're a Father Now, Damn it!'. 3. The Wild Goose Chase. 4. A Different Sort of Boy. 5. Daycare. 6. An Addition to the Family. 7. Doors Opened and Closed. 8. 'You want to do it!'. 9. Taking Turns. 10. 'I Know, Mom, I Know'. 11. My Parents. 12. A Team. 13. Off the Charts. 14. The Evaluation. 15. 'My Son, the Doctor'. 16. 'Believe Me, They'd Have a Schedule!'. 17. An Integrated Classroom. 18. Crazy, Incomprehensible Rules. 19. Exhausted. 20. On the Town. 21. 'That's Just Backwards Multiplication!'. 22. Frame of Reference. 23. Spreadable Fruit. 24. Diabetes. 25. Off to School. 26. Such A Bright Boy. 27. Mathematical Marvel. 28. Simon. 29. Careers. 30. 'Daddy, Look What I Can Do!'. 31. 'Don't Mourn For Us'. 32. Moving to D.C. 33. New kid on the Block. 34. Such Sensitive Children. 35. A Blessing. 36. Stamping Out Ambiguity. 37. Going Hazy. 38. Learning to Cope. 39. Black History Month. 40. Mr Hustle. 41. Front Page News. 42. Life. 43. Mathematical Marvel. 44. Connections Gained and Lost. 45. Graduation. 46. Becoming Self-Aware. Epilogue.

Editorial Reviews

This book is perfectly suited for anyone who wants to know more about living with a child who is autistic and would be beneficial to family members who have someone on the Autism Spectrum. This will help parents know what struggles other families have gone through and give guidance on how to navigate the system to enable your child to thrive in their surroundings.

BellaOnline Reviews

This book is a cut above other parent narratives, because of it unsparing honesty, yet its positive view of Alex's strengths

Book Reviews

"'A Different Kind of Boy' is a heartfelt, candid and ultimately inspiring tale of the struggle of a father to teach his gifted child the awareness the boy needs to survive and connect with others, while making the most of his prodigious talents. A Different Kind of Boy is highly recommended reading for any parent of an autistic of specially gifted child.'

The Midwest Book Review

Daniel Mont opens our minds and our hearts. In his words: Alex is autistic. Alex is also loving, brilliant and resilient. He has taught me a great deal about life, about what it means to connect with other people and about how one builds a life that suits oneself. Through raising Alex I've learned about a lot of things-how the mind works, how special education should work, the generosity of children, and-oh, yes, math. Lots about math.

Gifted Education Communicator