The Return of Mikey

This book is the culmination of twenty years of journaling the long struggle of a very short life. My son, Mikey, was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. It was changed, or "upgraded," to Asperger's syndrome when he was seven. I began writing short, humorous stories about my daily challenges with him when he was young and finally put them together into a book format by the time he was eighteen. It was basically a collection of funny stories detailing my struggles raising a child who did not fit the "norm." My original intention was to produce an Erma Bombeck type of book that would appeal to other parents like me. We cannot find humorous parenting books on the shelves that relate to our children. Our books will be in the medical section (see Abnormal Psychology) or the nonfiction section (see Sob-Stories). Of course, there's always a sprinkling of miracle stories among them. I've read them all. Someone removes wheat products from their autistic child's diet and voila!, the child miraculously becomes normal. I knew that my son would not be the one in a million success story who shakes the world of modern psychiatry down to its roots. But I also knew he had something wonderful to offer people in the way of hope. Diane Bucci was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. She married and had two children, Susie and Mikey. Mikey was diagnosed with mild autism when he was three years old. Diane devoted herself to becoming educated in a psychological disorder that little was written about at that time. Frustrated with the lack of information that was available, Diane rewrote the brochure for the Colorado Association for Autistic persons and was elected president of that organization. She has spent most of her professional career as a retail manager but enjoys writing in her spare time. Diane currently resides in Colorado with her longtime companion, Sneakers the cat. REVIEWS: Mikey was a boy, and man, of talents as well as demons, both captured beautifully in his mother's journal. It is a tribute to Mikey's spirit that his mother has written such a rich, deep, and moving tribute to her funny, sensitive, capable, and puzzling son. Sally J. Rogers, Ph.D. Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California Davis Medical Center A touching story of courage, humor, life, death, and life again. I laughed and cried on a journey that gives us all hope through the tragedies of life. Craig Zablocki, Author & Motivational Speaker Diane's sense of humor and strength is what made Mikey the functioning human being he became. A page turner, you will come to know a young man of amazing intelligence, surprising wit, and a love who will become a part of your life forever. Read the book and know Mikey has returned...or never really left. Linda Salvin, MPH, PhD Talk Show Host, Psychic, Healer, Medium For more information, visit: DianeBucci.com ReturnofMikey.com