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

by Kelly Harland

Book 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,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1890627194
• ISBN13: 9781890627195
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Woodbine House
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 2.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A powerful and essentially positive message of hope

A Will Of His Own: Reflections On Parenting A Child With Autism by Seattle-based singer, teacher, and writer Kelly Harland is the touching, emotional, and deeply personal memoir of having raised an autistic son who reacts fearfully to everyday, commonplace and non-threatening noises and sights which other children consider harmless, such as a divider stick separating customer groceries. Dealing with tantrums, poor adaption to change, and other hurdles with love and support sometimes comes across as an uphill battle, A Will Of His Own sends a powerful and essentially positive message of hope, learning, and growth. A Will Of His Own is very highly recommended reading for any parent having to cope with an autistic child of their own.

A candid accout of mothering a child with autism

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

A Warm and Touching Story

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.

A Most Valuable Read

"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.