Weather Reports from the Autism Front: A Father's Memoir of His Autistic Son

by James C. Wilson

Overview

Based on detailed research and a lifetime of personal experience, James Wilson recounts his personal journey as the primary companion of his now twenty-six-year-old autistic son, Sam. This realistic, irreverent account of an autistic young man and his misadventures while transitioning to adulthood provides enlightening truths as well as sardonic humor. Formally seen as a neurological disorder, autism is increasingly being looked upon as simply a form of neurodiversity. Rejecting mainstream attitudes, Wilson explores this modern view of autism through his own experience as well as quotes from autistic people and bloggers, some of whom are the most vocal proponents of this viewpoint. A detailed bibliography accompanies this engaging memoir of a father and son's experience negotiating the slippery slopes of normality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786437054
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	02/19/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	223
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.45(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

James C. Wilson is a professor of English and journalism at the University of Cincinnati. This is his fifth book. He lives in West Chester, Ohio.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface     

1. The Family Gangsta     
2. Contesting Autism     
3. Testing Neurodiversity     
4. Why Is He Barking?     
5. Sensory Overload     
6. Meltdown     
7. Friends and Lovers     
8. Self-Injury     
9. Weatherweenie     
10. To Cure or Not to Cure     
11. Things We Do     
12. Family Relations     
13. Communication Corporeal and Electronic     
14. Cognition     
15. Agoraphobia, or Don’t Call Us...     
16. Too Crazy for the Psych Ward?     
17. Medicalization     
18. Institutionalization     
19. Surf ’s Up     
20. Representation Politics     
21. Resentment     
22. Community     
23. Looking for Autism Pride Day     

Sources     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

recommend[ed]”—Disability Studies Quarterly; “a father’s riveting memoir of his autistic son...concerns raised by autism will engage readers’ interest enthrallingly...enriched greatly...very abundant wealth of information and insights”—metapsychology.mentalhelp.net.

From the Publisher

recommend[ed]

Disability Studies Quarterly