Beyond Rain Man

Although one child in 68 is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, psychologist Anne Ross is stunned when she learns her son has Asperger’s Syndrome. The diagnosis propels her more deeply into her life’s work with children on the spectrum. Her compelling and lyrical story of raising—and launching—her son is one of anguish as well as joy, and what she learns along the way will help other families who are living this perplexing, remarkable, and humbling journey of parenthood.

Anne K. Ross is the pen name for an award-winning writer and school psychologist with three decades of experience working in public schools in Northern California. She holds a master’s degree in educational psychology, a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, and an MFA in creative writing. She is a past winner of an American Psychological Association dissertation research award, and she has published in professional and literary journals. Her creative writing has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and a Lambda Literary Award. She is the mother of two young adult sons.