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

by Kelly Harland, Jane Asher (Foreword by)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781843108696
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	09/15/2007
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	6.06(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.39(d)

About the Author

Kelly Harland is a voice teacher at the Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle. She is a writer and recording artist, whose voice has been featured not only on radio and television but also in backing vocals with Ray Charles and Etta James. She is the mother of Will, who has autism.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Jane Asher. Introduction: A New "Will". A Different Song. Moonlight. The Shock of the New. Ferryboats. Potter vs. Potter. Into the Pool. Afternoon on the Piazza. Singer. Friends. The Lunchmaker. Big Talk. The King. Escalatorland. Candy. New Voice. Soul Deep. Window. How the King Became the King. I Can't Explain It. Desiree. School Picture. One Dream. Grandma. A Boy Named Colin. Lighting the Candles. Hero. One Dream. Evolution Blues. Over Washington. Willpower. Special Needs Showbiz. A Mountaintop in Nepal. The Broken Leg Diaries.

Editorial Reviews

This emotional, warm, interesting and easy to read book will appeal to professionals and parents alike.

Aukids Managzine

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.

from the foreword by Jane Asher

Praise for the first edition:

'There's a miraculous alchemy to these stories of one small boy.'

The Seattle Times

In "A will of his own" the author's melodic tones capture snapshots of her son from his early days and onwards as he grows and develops into a young man. It's no accident that Kelly is a "musician" as her voice as a writer comes over as a warm and affectionate melody... A slim volume full of delicate, poignant insights but with the strength of powerfully honed reality.

Whitterer on Autism

A Will of His Own sends a powerful and essentially positive message of hope, learning, and growth... highly recommended reading.

Midwest Book Review

CHILD REARING In this memoir of loosely connected vignettes, Harland recounts the first nine years in the life of her autistic son Will. Unlike the authors of other family narratives about autism, jazz musician Harland shifts the focus of the story from her son to herself. While this is a novel approach, the effect is that Will is portrayed primarily through the inconveniences brought about by his behavior. When the author describes their IEP (Individualized Educational Program), for example, she talks more about her emotions at these trying meetings than about services received. Will's breakdowns illustrate her frustration at the attention they draw to her without indicating how they are resolved. Autism narratives are valuable because they provide insight into these dramatically different children. Conversely, because family strains are common and should be addressed constructively, a book that stresses only how tough life is when your child is autistic seems of questionable value. This more contemporary personal narrative about a child's disability is welcome, but it does little to supplement more successful autism-related memoirs, such as Catherine Maurice's Let Me Hear Your Voice. Recommended only for libraries with comprehensive autism collections. Corey Seeman, Univ. of Toledo Libs., OH Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal