WHEN Jo Case’s son Leo was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of seven, a rollercoaster of feelings was unleashed.
There was a period of grief and even self-recrimination, which gave way to relief that Leo’s behaviour could now be better understood.
“From there onwards it was really positive. You kind of have a road map for dealing with the situation and it’s really useful for explaining my son to the outside world.”
The Newport author has traced this journey in Boomer & Me: Motherhood, Asperger’s and the New Normal.
Case says she deliberately began the story before her son’s diagnosis so he was seen as a person first.
“I wanted to write about people who are on the autistic spectrum as people, not walking sets of symptoms.”
It was, at times, difficult to write as honestly as she wanted about her loved ones for all the world to see, but Case was determined to show all sides of her family and life. “I’m an avid reader and the kind of books I like to read are when the writer has been brave. I wrote with love and affection and hopefully got the right balance.”
Through the writing process, Case was also able to come to terms with the guilt she had been harbouring for not fitting the mould of the ‘perfect’ mother.
“It’s also about motherhood and being a parent in the 21st century,” she says.
“I wanted to write about how there are so many pressures on women and how there is supposed to be a particular way to be a mother.”
Case said the “mummy wars” could take a toll on women, but as she wrote the manuscript she came to realise that motherhood fitted the shape of who a person already was.
“I wanted to write about the different ways to be a mother; I realised that a lot of the pressure was coming from myself.
“You realise everyone is putting their best face on, and it’s liberating not to always do so.”
Case was living in Yarraville at the time and the area is weaved throughout the book.
She said she worked hard to evoke the places where the experiences unfolded.
“I think it’s always nice to read a book that’s anchored in a sense of place.”
Case will discuss her book in a free talk at the Sun Theatre at 11am this Sunday.
Bookings: 9689 0661 or info@sunbookshop.com
