My Tyler is an amazing young man. I knew something was different when he was an infant because he wasn’t like any of the babies I had known or read about. Yet I never imagined what made him different would be autism. When Tyler was young, I was very worried that he would never be able to handle the many challenges that life presents as he often had meltdowns, walked around with his hands over his ears, and got very anxious in new situations. And yet he has! He found his passion on stage, a magical place where he can pretend to be someone else, dress up in costumes, be a part of a make-believe world, and communicate with everyone in the audience at the same time. He even performed at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland with other young actors from his high school. Tyler will begin his junior year at college at the end of the summer. So amazed and entertained am I by his determination, quirky sense of humor, and unique way of looking at the world that I wrote a book, Travels with Tyler: A Mom’s Journey with Her Aspie Son. Tyler has inspired me to go after my dreams, too.

Tracy Mannon
Herndon, VA