Jeff Conlan

My name is Jeff Conlan, I live in New York State with my wife Tara, 16 year old autistic son William, and his service dog Charger. This is my first novel, although I have been writing most of my life. My hope for this project is that along with enjoying a good story, people may learn something to help them better understand autism and those affected by it. My wife and I believe in the credo that awareness leads to acceptance. But advocacy and actions are what truly help build a better tomorrow.

“A Different Kind of Cool,” is a traditional American story with a not-so-traditional main character. It incorporates aspects of sports, friendship, true love, loss, and PTSD. All the while, giving a close look at some of the struggles a family raising a severely autistic child may face. While there are many books that have similar themes, I know of none that are centered around a severely autistic character. It has been my experience that most autistic characters in novels, movies, etc. are usually high functioning, savants, or the quirky doctor who happens to have Asperger Syndrome. This often leads to a one-sided view of autism. I believe this book will make readers laugh and cry, but more importantly, it will increase their awareness. It is the book you read on the plane or at the beach. It is the suggested reading that helps a young adult better understand his autistic classmate. It is a book that you will want to recommend to a friend.