Good Questions
“What would happen to Matthew if you guys were killed in a plane crash?” asked a nervy acquaintance. The question stunned me. Since my son, Matthew was first diagnosed with autism as a toddler, I’d been asked tough questions about his future. “Will he ever live on his own and hold down a job? Do you think he’ll get married?”
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You name your book “A regular guy growing up with Autism.” He is hardly a “regular” guy is he? Regular kids dont have trouble socially and for achieving their potential. Why put that adjective in the title. I have worked as a Speech Pathologist for Autistic kids and they are anything but regular.
Pat, your comments have been bothering me. It is clear that Matthew has major challenges, social and otherwise and your comment about people with autism being anything but regular sounds callous to me.
It is true that the more severely affected a person with autism is, the more likely that person will exhibit bizarre behaviors. People with autism can be taught, reached and helped and to dismiss them callously as having social troubles and not being able to achieve their potential really bothers me. Who are we and how do we know what each person’s potential is? Does that mean we stop trying to teach, coach and share with people who need more help?
Many people with Asperger’s or high functioning autism can pass for neurotypical. I am tired of people reinforcing that idea that anybody who has autism can count on not being considered a person with full rights, courtesy and privileges and being referred to with dignity as the neurotypical population. I do feel bad for your autistic clients.
Hi, Laura
I’ve just finished your book and like it very-very much! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.