If you know and love a child with autism, this book will warm your heart! R. Wayne Gilpin, founder of Future Horizons, Inc., has compiled humorous anecdotes revealing his son Alex’s wisdom and wit. (Alex’s sense of humor is legendary.) Mingled with uplifting stories from other parents of children with autism, Laughing and Loving with Autism was born. Be sure to check out the two sequels: More Laughing and Loving with Autism, and Much More Laughing and Loving with Autism.
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Binding: Paperback
Pages: 133
Wayne Gilpin founded the Future Horizons publishing company in 1996. Before that, he was publishing car repair guides and law books. But his son’s diagnosis of autism rerouted his career path. He joined the Autism Society of America and was voted president in 1987. Collecting as much information on autism as he could, Wayne was saddened by the fact that all of the resources at the time were very negative and offered little hope for his son. But his experience told a different story. His son Alex was a gentle, honest, and intelligent person, and Wayne was confident that Alex would overcome his obstacles and defy the odds. To bring a little light into the autism community, he compiled and published a book called Laughing and Loving with Autism. It contained humorous and touching stories from parents of children with autism. It was the first book to really capture the positive aspects of these kids, and it gave other parents hope. Now, over 100 books and DVDs later, Future Horizons is the leading autism publisher in the world.
“It educated me on autism more than any clinical book I’ve read and I laughed and cried while learning."
PSYCHOLOGIST
“You can’t imagine how much I could relate my own experiences to these stories."
SPECIAL EDUCATION DIAGNOSTICIAN
“I’d almost swear that you were reading through my case files—I loved the book."
PEDIATRICIAN
“The Laughing section made me happy and the Poignant section made me proud."
PARENT (of a child with autism)
“Honestly, my apprehensions about dealing with a kid with autism have decreased dramatically. This book really opened my eyes."
TEACHER
“I knew nothing about autism before reading ‘Laughing…’ and still I found it very enjoyable and heartwarming."
PARENT
PART I: Laughing
A Lesson In “Proper" Identifications
Dr. Doolittle, I Presume
But If It Could, What Would It Say?
Just Don't Go to the Library with Her
Double Your Pleasure
Dear Senator
Here we Go Again
Dear Columbia House
Instant Family??
What's in a Name?
PART II: Music
Do You Need Whitney If You Have Rusty?
Memory Is a Wonderful Singing Skill
PART III: Sexual / Improper Language
Way to Ruin a Guy’s Thanksgiving
We Think He Understands!
A Lesson on French Toast
Some Questions You Shouldn’t Ask
Safe Game
Where Do Kids Hear These Things?
Girls??
The Mystery of the Blue Light Special
PART IV: Church
Then why did he give the signal?
Love...ly Hymn
“Refreshing" Visit to Church
PART V: Facilitated Communication
Maybe He Was Just Being Polite
PART VI: Home
“Murder" At Bondi - A Story of Nicholas Power
A Christmas Gift
Be Careful What You Ask For
Put That Mouse Back in his Home!
Maybe Also a Few Good Books and Valium?
Nite, Nite
I’ll Make It Go Away
Haven’t We All Felt This Way?
The Boy Who Fell from Grace with His Mommy, and Took His Dad with Him
Who’s Sorry Now?
Definitely Not a Fat Cat
PART VII: Out Into the “Real" World
Sarah’s Shopping Spree
There Has to Be an Easier Way
Take My Sister - Doc - Please
I’ll Drink to That
We All Need a Life!
Litter-ly
Fore?
Good Choice
PART VIII: School
Gotcha!
Newton’s Law
Never Stand Between a Boy and His Calendar
Buddy
PART IX: Poignant
David: A Different Kind of Miracle
This Is a Father
Sometimes a Walk in the Park is More Than a Walk in the Park
Being You and Me
“Special" Special Kid
Friends
Ode to Scott
Opening the Cage Called Autism
Notes from a Missing Link: Welcome to My World
The Contributions of Sam
Epilogue
EXCERPT:
Alex was “stimming," rocking back and forth waving his arms, as I was telling him the story of Pinocchio and how his nose grew when he lied.
“Alex you can stop stimming."
“Dad, I’m not doing anything."
“You were stimming."
“Was not."
Then, after a thought raced across his face and with a look of fear, Alex slowly raised his finger up to touch his nose.
***
I’ve always been a pet lover and I was a little sad that Alex took very little interest in any of the family pets. However, one day I thought that there was a sudden awakening of normal interest.
I was tossing the rubber ball from the living room out into the hallway (this is something bachelors can do with impunity) so our very energetic dog, Spencer, could retrieve it, a game he loves. After about 5 or 6 tosses, I noticed a real interest in Alex’s face as he followed every movement. To my further surprise, he asked if he could do it. I was delighted and Alex proceeded to throw with some vigor, whizzing the ball past Spencer out into the hallway.
However, after three or four throws, I saw that he was bothered and giving a sigh of disgust after each throw. Naturally, I asked Alex what was wrong. He was throwing the ball, with Spencer happily bringing it back so he could chase it again. What could be wrong?
“What’s the problem, Alex?"
“Dad, I’m missing.... because Spencer keeps moving his head!"
There was poor Spencer, thinking it was a great game, never realizing that, in Alex’s mind, he was a target.
***
Alex, like most kids I suppose, continually left his clothes on his bedroom floor. Being a well-trained parent, I sailed into him with my best shot, a line I had heard from my parents and one that the reader has also probably heard. This was the interchange:
Dad - “Alex, this is the last time I’m going to tell you to pick up your clothes."
Alex - (with a sign of relief) “That’s good, Dad, because I hate when you tell me that!"
