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COURTESY PHOTO
DJ, 14, and his parents, Emily and Ralph, rest on the 14-foot floor-level indoor trampoline his dad built for him.
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Author to recount work with autistic son
By KAYLA PORTER, Courier Staff Writer
CEDAR FALLS --- Ralph Savarese, along with his family, is heading to Cedar Falls Thursday to discuss his book "Reasonable People: A Memoir of Autism and Adoption."
His son, DJ, is the focus of the newly released book, which chronicles the development of an autistic child.
"The story relates an account of a nonspeaking boy with autism who was said to be profoundly retarded," said Savarese, a literature profesor at Grinell College.
Savarese describes his writings as "a book about re-thinking what is possible for both autistic and foster kids."
Many people questioned Savarese when he and his wife, Emily, adopted an abused 6-year-old boy from foster care who was "discarded like a piece of trash."
"DJ demonstrates again and again in this book that they (autistic individuals) have feelings and thoughts but they have great problems with their bodies and sensory processing," Savarese said. "There's a real person in there with exquisite abilities."
After years of teaching DJ literacy through sign language and labels on household objects, DJ began facilitated communication, a technique that allows nonspeaking individuals to communicate through typing with the help of an aide.
Nathan Trainor is a nonspeaking 23-year-old with Joubert Syndrome. A student at Wartburg College, he recently began using facilitated communication and now wants to be a writer.
"I read 'Reasonable People' and thought it was great," said Jean Trainor, Nathan's mom. "I was really interested in DJ's writings since Nate also uses facilitated communcation. Some of the style of writing was familiar, it's unique. I compare it to poetry, you need to kind of stop and think about what they're saying. It's not like you and I talking in a conversation."
Like Nathan, DJ also is integrated into the classroom. Savarese emphasizes the importance of acceptance and inclusion when it comes to children with autism.
Though DJ's only been reading for four years, he's on the honor roll and scored high on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. He even wrote the last chapter of his father's book.
"Talk about a rewarding experience. It beats just about anything you could buy at a store or any trip you could take," Savarese said. "I think it's really saying there is hope out there."
The book chronicles the highs and lows of 14-year-old DJ's life and provides a political and social commentary on the way individuals with autism can be negatively disregarded.
Tyann and Chris Rouw, parents of autistic 6-year-old twins Issac and Noah head the Cedar Valley autism support group. The family plans on attending the book signing.
"For us, the neatest part will be to meet DJ and see him interact and speak through his computer," Tyann said. "There are a lot of kids that have autism. We can never give up on these kids and never underestimate them."
DJ provides inspiration to the Rouws, whose son Issac is unable to speak as well.
"My son has a beautiful story in there. Not being able to talk doesn't mean he doesn't have anything to say," Tyann said. "DJ goes to show you there's a lot happening once they're able to communicate."
Contact Kayla Porter at (319) 291-1482 or kayla.porter@wcfcourier.com.
His son, DJ, is the focus of the newly released book, which chronicles the development of an autistic child.
"The story relates an account of a nonspeaking boy with autism who was said to be profoundly retarded," said Savarese, a literature profesor at Grinell College.
Savarese describes his writings as "a book about re-thinking what is possible for both autistic and foster kids."
Many people questioned Savarese when he and his wife, Emily, adopted an abused 6-year-old boy from foster care who was "discarded like a piece of trash."
"DJ demonstrates again and again in this book that they (autistic individuals) have feelings and thoughts but they have great problems with their bodies and sensory processing," Savarese said. "There's a real person in there with exquisite abilities."
After years of teaching DJ literacy through sign language and labels on household objects, DJ began facilitated communication, a technique that allows nonspeaking individuals to communicate through typing with the help of an aide.
Nathan Trainor is a nonspeaking 23-year-old with Joubert Syndrome. A student at Wartburg College, he recently began using facilitated communication and now wants to be a writer.
"I read 'Reasonable People' and thought it was great," said Jean Trainor, Nathan's mom. "I was really interested in DJ's writings since Nate also uses facilitated communcation. Some of the style of writing was familiar, it's unique. I compare it to poetry, you need to kind of stop and think about what they're saying. It's not like you and I talking in a conversation."
Like Nathan, DJ also is integrated into the classroom. Savarese emphasizes the importance of acceptance and inclusion when it comes to children with autism.
Though DJ's only been reading for four years, he's on the honor roll and scored high on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. He even wrote the last chapter of his father's book.
"Talk about a rewarding experience. It beats just about anything you could buy at a store or any trip you could take," Savarese said. "I think it's really saying there is hope out there."
The book chronicles the highs and lows of 14-year-old DJ's life and provides a political and social commentary on the way individuals with autism can be negatively disregarded.
Tyann and Chris Rouw, parents of autistic 6-year-old twins Issac and Noah head the Cedar Valley autism support group. The family plans on attending the book signing.
"For us, the neatest part will be to meet DJ and see him interact and speak through his computer," Tyann said. "There are a lot of kids that have autism. We can never give up on these kids and never underestimate them."
DJ provides inspiration to the Rouws, whose son Issac is unable to speak as well.
"My son has a beautiful story in there. Not being able to talk doesn't mean he doesn't have anything to say," Tyann said. "DJ goes to show you there's a lot happening once they're able to communicate."
Contact Kayla Porter at (319) 291-1482 or kayla.porter@wcfcourier.com.
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