Walker Finds a Way
Running into the Adult World with Autism
Published on 21. January 2016
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-1-78592-010-3 (ISBN)
Description
Most people would describe Walker Hughes as warm, enthusiastic and charismatic - even if he doesn't say very much. But after several happy years living in a group home, Walker descended into a deep unhappiness, and his parents were told that their son with low-functioning autism was 'unmanageable' and a danger to others. Where did it all go wrong?
From the author of Running with Walker, this witty and touching memoir tells a story of crisis and recovery of a young man with low-functioning autism. Battling miscommunication, misinterpreted behaviour and a lack of appropriate services, Walker and his parents' resilience shines through, providing a much-needed portrayal about what life is like for adults with low-functioning autism, and how we can understand the complex personalities of people with communication difficulties.
From the author of Running with Walker, this witty and touching memoir tells a story of crisis and recovery of a young man with low-functioning autism. Battling miscommunication, misinterpreted behaviour and a lack of appropriate services, Walker and his parents' resilience shines through, providing a much-needed portrayal about what life is like for adults with low-functioning autism, and how we can understand the complex personalities of people with communication difficulties.
Reviews / Votes
In this honest to the bone, mesmerizing memoir about life with an adult autistic son, Robert Hughes exposes the wretched reality that typically faces special needs adults and their loved ones. But beneath the surface of outrage toward a society that does so little for our most vulnerable people, Hughes graciously elevates the good in the human spirit each time he finds it. Ultimately, this is a story of a family's determination to use their eccentricities, wit, optimism, wisdom, and love for each other, to thwart a broken system that dared to challenge Walker's right to live happy and well. -- Liane Holliday Willey, author of Pretending to be Normal: Living with Asperger's Syndrome and Safety Skills for Asperger Women: How to Save a Perfectly Good Female LifeMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 159 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
482 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78592-010-3 (9781785920103)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2016
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
€21.99
Available for download
Person
Robert Hughes is the author of Running with Walker: A Memoir, also published by JKP. His articles have appeared in Newsweek, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, Parents Magazine, and Chicago Magazine, and he has contributed commentary to WBEZ, Chicago Public Radio. He holds a Ph.D. in English literature from Northwestern University and taught writing at Truman College, City Colleges of Chicago. He lives with his family in Chicago.
Content
1. Zoo-Train-Walk, December, 2013. 2. Winter, 2007: "What's Your Plan?" 3. A Brave New World. 4. The Empty Nesters. 5. Friends. 6. "I Work There". 7. Fence Me In. 8. A Very Un-Merry Birthday. 9. "People Change". 10. Agitation, Father and Son. 11. Psycho Dad Makes a Personal Appearance. 12. Our Winter of Discontent. 13. Hold On, Partner. 14. The Escape Artist. 15. Afterword. July, 2015.