A Will of His Own: Reflections on Parenting a Child with Autism [Paperback]

Kelly Harland (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1890627194 | ISBN-13: 978-1890627195 | Publication Date: June 2002

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 behaviour, 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. This book 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.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

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 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"There's a miraculous alchemy to these stories of one small boy: They have the power to change..." -- The Seattle Times, November 19, 2002

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890627194
• ISBN-13: 978-1890627195
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,505,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A candid accout of mothering a child with autism, July 31, 2002

By 

Liane Gentry Skye, (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: A Will of His Own: Reflections on Parenting a Child with Autism (Paperback)

Kelly Harland has pulled her readers away from the autism literature trend that offers up the "cure du jour."

Instead, Kelly offers us a candid, emotional look at the universal hopes, fears, dreams and sense of wonder that she has felt in raising Will, her adorable, persistent, and sometimes precocious child who also happens to have autism.

Harland's prose is luminous, her insight is razor sharp, and her story has merit for anyone who has ever experienced the utter vulnerabilities and joys, heartaches and little miracles inherent in raising a child who is not described as "typical."

How wonderful to pick up this book on those days where you wish to take a break from conflicting opinions about interventions, diets, biomedical therapies, and simply take a loving glimpse into a family who has not only survived an autism diagnosis, but has managed to thrive in spite of it.

Bravo, Kelly!

Liane Gentry Skye
author of "Turn Around, Bright Eyes", Snapshots from a Voyage out of Autism's Silence.
publication date 9/2002.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Valuable Read, July 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Will of His Own: Reflections on Parenting a Child with Autism (Paperback)

"A Will Of His Own" is a moving tribute to the son of author Kelly Harland. Will is a vibrant and loving boy who is autistic. And this collection of well crafted, poignant essays will allow any reader to gain insight into the world of parenting a child who faces unique challenges.

Harland's devotion and deep love for Will, and her husband Charles, is ennunciated with such wonderful candor. She lets you into their everyday world of living with a son who requires repetition in all things and "no change, no surprises". You go on the journey from his infancy, to diagnosis, and through 10 years of his life. The struggles are many - and the reader is enlightened at every turn of the page. This is not just another book about autisim. This is a profound and truthful look at what it is to be confronted with something you never bargained for, how one can rise through the pain, how one can become adept at improvisation on the most human of scales.

There are moments in this book where the reader will be shocked at the callousness of some people, or surprised to learn what it's really like to have a child whose behavior in public can cause a multitude of intense reactions from strangers. This is real stuff and it is powerful.

If you're a mom or a dad this is essential reading. If you enjoy well written stories, this is the book for you. If you're looking for hope in a world that can be so dark you must read this book. But be warned - you will need a box of tissue before you're through.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Warm and Touching Story, July 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Will of His Own: Reflections on Parenting a Child with Autism (Paperback)

This is a warm and touching story of a family who discovers that their son's difficulties are actually caused by the condition of Autism. These well written stories paint a picture for the reader as this family awakens to the possibilities that life presents to their autistic son Will. The reader is drawn in to the agony, the struggle, and the hope and the acceptance and love as they work their way through this formidable experience. One roots for them and believes that Will, will have his own apartment one day overlooking the water where he can watch the Ferry Boats of Puget Sound when ever he wants. It is an engaging story and a really great read.