How would react if you realized your child was never going to be "normal"? That's the question Ron Fournier had to face when his son, Tyler, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Love That Boy (2016) is many things. It's first and foremost a book about ASD and how people on the autism spectrum view the world. It's also a book about history. One of Tyler's special interests is the American presidents, and his father, being a former White House correspondent, uses his knowledge and connections to plan the road trips he and his son take in an effort to strengthen their relationship. It's not just Tyler's book though. Ron interviewed parents from all over the country, as well as specialist in child psychology, in an effort to dig down to the reason why so much pressure is placed on today's kids - by their parents, by school, by media - and what it's doing to the next generation. Finally, this book is a gift to Tyler from his parents. From his father, who wrote it, and his mother, who told his father he was going to write it, "So no matter what, Tyler will always know how much we love him."
And they really do. Reading this book, I could feel the love Ron has for his wife and kids, and his family as a whole. I could feel the guilt he carried for the years when he put work ahead of them, and his struggle with putting aside his image of who he dreamed his son would be. Ron himself puts it very well, saying, "We all have two children: the one we hoped for, and the one we have. And we need to love the one we have." It's a long journey, but as Ron and Tyler learn to communicate, Ron learns to put aside his ideas of "normal" and embrace his son for being the smart, quirky, funny, caring boy he is.
For any parent who has worried about their child's future, Love That Boy is a must-read.