Hi World! I’m Dad – Now Available!

Today is a special day. It’s an honor to announce that my new book, Hi World! I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation, is officially available for pre-order! Available in digital, print, and audiobook (narrated by me). You can order your copy now through:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Google Play Books
Spotify
Audible
Jessica Kingsley Publishing
…and many other booksellers.

This book has been over eight years in the making, and I can’t wait for you to read it.

A Journey Years in the Making

When I first started writing about raising my non-verbal son, I had long-term ideas for a book in mind. In 2017, I sent out a few pitches, but nothing came of it.

Looking back, I’m so glad those early attempts didn’t work out. The book I would have written back then wouldn’t have been the one coming out in June. I still had so much more to learn. Over the next eight years, I gained realizations about autism’s role in our lives—realizations I wouldn’t have had if I had rushed the process.

And every single one of you who has read my blog through the years has taken that journey with me.

From Fear to Appreciation

I often talk about how my surprise quintuple bypass in 2012 changed my outlook on life. And while that’s true, the shift wasn’t immediate. Very few things are.

Back then, having a non-verbal son with autism felt like an overwhelming challenge. I loved my boy, but I was filled with guilt, worry, and fear. I worried about his future. Many of the things I wrote about focused on that uncertainty.

But time changed me. Lucas grew, and so did I. The sweet six-year-old boy I wrote about back then is now a wonderful 14-year-old. Many of the hopes I had for him didn’t come to fruition. He still doesn’t speak any verbal language and struggles with life skills. I’ve accepted that he will need assistance, in some form, for the rest of his life.

And yet, through all of those changes, our world didn’t fall apart—it became richer. I learned to find beauty and appreciation for the son the universe gave me.

Why I Wrote This Book

I won’t sugarcoat the early days. Like any other parent first learning of their child’s diagnosis, I was scared.

What would this look like? How would autism affect my son?

Today, I have my answer. I see a young man who experiences the world through eyes no one else shares. He follows his heart, understands his emotions deeply, and is the most pure human being I’ve ever known.

Lucas is kind. He doesn’t know how to deceive. There’s no ego, cruelty, or manipulation. If you knew him, you’d know it too.

And that’s why I wrote this book.

I wrote this book for new parents who are just beginning this journey, for fathers struggling with fear, and for grandparents wanting to understand autism on a deeper level. Most of all, I wrote it for anyone lucky enough to have someone like Lucas in their life—to offer a perspective that isn’t about mourning what could have been, but celebrating what is.

This book is our story—our perspective, our experiences. And it’s my honor to share them with you.

Thank You for Your Support

I’m beyond grateful for everyone who has followed this journey. I’m incredibly proud of this book, the amazing team behind it at Jessica Kingsley Publishing, and the opportunity to share autism appreciation with the world.

I hope you’ll join me in celebrating this milestone and Order your copy today through…

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Google Play Books
Spotify
Audible
Jessica Kingsley Publishing
…and many other booksellers.