At the beginning of our program today titled, Understanding Autism, Norman B’s monologue caused his producer Maria to start weeping. She began signaling distress messages to the host as he poignantly described the birth of James, his son. In turn, Norman B, realizing his very competent controller of all the knobs an buttons that make a radio show work, may fall apart at any moment, asked if she wanted him to pause for second or two. In turn, Norman B, began to choke up and suddenly, very live, very real, emotional, unrehearsed and memorable radio was broadcast. 

The guests, both listening to the opening monologue were, Maria Mutch, author of the just-released, Know the Night a memoir that chronicles a two-year period when her son Gabriel, who has both Autism and Downs Syndrome, unexpectedly stopped sleeping through the night. Maria Mutch will tell us how she and Gabriel entered a secret world of their own, where they found spiritual company in the words of a polar explorer. And, Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson Executive Director of ACT Today! A nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and provide treatment services and support to families to help their children with autism achieve their full potential. Nancy is a former television producer, author and mother of Wyatt, who was diagnosed with Autism. Nancy, via phone from California, began by saying, “Thank you Norman, for making me cry at 6.00am!”

Listen to the Understanding Autism edition of Life Elsewhere here