Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-214)

A slice of life -- My early life -- Sinking into the grip of autism -- Mother's recollection of my early life -- The Putnam period -- The classroom -- Nursery school -- Accommodating sensory sensitivities -- Outer and inner senses -- The wonder and terror of school --- Middle school -- Music for the child with autism -- More wonder than terror in high school -- Heaven at last, in college -- Dating -- Meeting my future wife -- About my husband -- Movies and TV -- The world of work: from more conformity to less -- Where do I fit in? -- Emotional aftermath -- Dealing with emotions -- Back to school: Master's and doctorate degrees -- The three modes of world -- Revisitng the castle -- Cyberspace for people like me -- The language and cognitive development center -- Meeting Dr. Arnold Miller -- Challenging the walls -- How the autistic disorder is now classified -- Autism compared with other disorders -- The autism spectrum -- Putting my journey through the autism spectrum in context -- Overcoming the wall -- Cleared for takeoff -- Commencement -- Presentations -- Advocacy -- Political involvement -- What's next for me? -- A challenge to the autism spectrum community -- Epilogue and charge of responsibility -- An interview with Daniel Rosenn, M.D. -- Getting ready for college