Apollo Autism *(PDF)

It’s the late 1960s, and the United States is space racing to land a man safely on the moon. Max Strong is living his dream job as a senior patent agent for NASA, committed to the success of the Apollo space program. From a young age, Max was obsessed with patents: the practical, the mundane, the quirky, and the peculiar. Patents fill Max’s mind and life, serving as both problem solvers and a respite. At the age of three, Max’s son, Jake, is diagnosed with autism, a condition that is largely unknown and regarded as the fault of “refrigerator mothers.” When Max’s second son shows some of the same “atypical” behaviors as his brother, Max and his wife, Jane, must come to terms with raising two autistic children without much support from medical or educational institutions. Max is determined to help his sons overcome their challenges, and he uses his extensive knowledge of patents to guide him along the way. As a result, he comes to understand autism and his sons—and himself—in an entirely unexpected way. Reviews “Perfect for anybody balancing life, ambition, family, and personal challenges. Alex expertly encapsulates life on the spectrum." ~Dr.Dallin Laycock, PhD, Scientist, Author “A cleverly written classic about love and acceptance. This book helped me better understand my children and myself.” ~Dr.Amos Ben-Zvi, PhD, Inventor, Innovator About the Author ALEX FILSTEIN is an award-winning inventor in Canada’s energy sector whose innovations focus on emission-reducing technologies to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with his wife and two young sons who are on the autistic spectrum. Visit his website at www.alexfilstein.com Read more

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