• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Geek Club Books

Autism Education, Awareness, Acceptance, Advocacy

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • About
    • Autism Storytelling for Hope and Change
    • Speaking
    • Creative Team & Educational Specialists
    • Advisory Board
    • Our Benefactors
    • Press
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
  • Blog
    • All Articles and Interviews
    • Articles By Author
  • Families
    • Welcome Autism Families!
    • Autism Resources Bundle!
    • Freebies
    • Mighty League Autism Moms
  • Educators
    • Welcome Educators!
    • Autism EDU
    • Bluebee TeeVee, Autism Information Station
    • School Visits
  • Comics
    • Autism Comics Overview
    • Autism in Real Life Comic
    • Autism Spectrum Comic
    • End Awareness Comic
    • Understanding Autism Comic
    • Mighty League 1: Autistic Hero Comic
    • Mighty League 2: Autistic Hero Comic Book
  • Resources
    • How to Find Resources
    • Asking Autistics
    • Autistic Self-care
    • Amazon Autism Book Shop
    • What is Autism?
    • Books By Autistic Authors
    • What is Autism Awareness?
    • Autism Glossary
    • Autism Myths
    • Autistic or Person with Autism?
    • Speech and Language
    • Autism Business Ideas
  • Zoom Magazine
    • Issue 13: Family
    • Issue 14: Trailblazers
    • Issue 15: Powerful Women
    • Issue 16: Travel
    • Issue 17: Health
  • Take Action
    • How to Advocate for Autism
      • #Activate4Autism
      • Activator Heroes
    • Make a Difference
  • Contact
  • Donate

Chasing the Rabbit: 126,000 Words of Hope!

July 23, 2015 By Jodi Murphy Leave a Comment

TwitterFacebookPinterestLinkedInRedditWhatsApp

Chasing the Rabbit Autism Hope

Derek Volk’s oldest child−his only son− was two-years-old when his wife suggested, “Something is not quite right with Dylan.” They struggled for the next several years as they were bounced from one “expert” to another, each offering a unique perspective on Dylan’s challenging behaviors. Finally, at eight-years-old, Dylan was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and the Volk family was able to start making sense of Dylan’s differences.

In Chasing the Rabbit: A Dad’s Life Raising a Son on the Spectrum, Derek Volk shares his experiences raising a son on the Autism spectrum. Both Dylan and Derek write about the challenges, triumphs and coping strategies from the early days to the adolescent years to life in the “real world” as a young adult. This book showcases the unique relationship between a father and his son who has spent his entire life chasing the rabbit.

What inspired you to write Chasing the Rabbit?

Chasing-the-Rabbit-CoverI actually had planned to write a business book. As I sat there staring at blank monitor I heard a voice as clear as can be, which I believe was God, say to me, “That is not the book you are supposed to write. You should be writing a book about Dylan.” I immediately started typing and 126,000 words later I have Chasing the Rabbit. I have been overwhelmed and extremely touched by the responses I have received from people who have read our book. It is giving people, especially parents struggling with a child on the spectrum or with a disability, the feeling that they are not alone in their path and that there is hope for their child. I also have been amazed how many people who do not have a child with challenges are telling me how the book impacted them. I hope, after reading our book, people who see a mom or dad dealing with a kid who seems to be the result of poor parenting will think twice before judging them. I guarantee you there were many people over the years who looked at Amy and me that exact way. I know the look. I really think our family went through all we have experienced because this book was meant to be written. I can’t wait to hear from more people who read it.

[Tweet “”I should write a book about Dylan” 126,000 words later-Chasing the Rabbit by @DerekVolk”]

What does the title “Chasing the Rabbit” mean?

I have always used the analogy with Dylan that he is like a greyhound dog and the rabbit is normal. He can see it, he knows what it looks like, but no matter how hard he runs he can never quite catch it. It is a very frustrating way to live. To watch your child have something he wants so badly always be just out of reach is heartbreaking to witness. Dylan will run to the point of exhaustion to catch that rabbit, but he never does.

Your book starts at the beginning of Dylan’s life to him into his early years of adulthood. Can you summarize what you cover during…
The Early Years

The early years of Dylan’s life were focused on a young couple trying to figure out why their little boy is so different from the other kids. There was a six year gap between when the day Amy recognized that Dylan was not like the other boys his age until we received the correct diagnosis, Asperger’s. In that six year time frame we received diagnosis after diagnosis always sending us down the wrong path.

Dylan Chasing the Rabbit
Dylan as a Furnace
Middle School

The Middle School years were very difficult. We had a diagnosis but that did not really give us the solutions to many of Dylan’s behaviors. It was during his Middle School years that the meltdowns reached new levels because Dylan became bigger and stronger than his mother. As we all know, Middle School is an emotional time for neurotypical kids. For a child who has autism and is constantly chasing the rabbit, it is simply awful.

High School

Dylan’s high school years were full of wild rides and changing paradigms about what life was like raising a son on the spectrum. When he was a sophomore and became vocally suicidal we knew that drastic steps had to be taken. We enrolled Dylan in a boarding school, which he was then kicked out of, and then to another boarding school in North Carolina. Never did we imagine when our baby boy was born that we would send him away to save him. The high school years, fraught with more high stakes chasing of the rabbit, led us to very difficult decisions.

Adulthood

Dylan’s first couple of years in adulthood, starting at his high school graduation, created all new challenges for us. He was not prepared to go into college but he was also not at all prepared to enter the workforce. He graduated high school, barely, with no marketable or tangible skills that would allow him to earn a living. After a failed attempt at college he would sink to depths that even we had not yet experienced. Again, dramatic decisions were required but they were anything but easy.

Dylan as an Adult in Chasing the Rabbit
Dylan speaking about his life on the spectrum
Who is the ideal reader and how do you see the book being used?

I believe this book is the reason we went through everything we experienced. God is using Dylan and me, through Chasing the Rabbit, to positively impact the lives of people walking a similar journey as well as those who have no understanding what life is like for a family dealing with autism. I also hope our book is an eye opening look inside the walls of a home for educators, counselors and other professionals working with families living a life with autism. How do I see this book being used? I hope it is used to comfort, education, inform and bring awareness. Jackie Robinson said, “A life is not important except for the impact it has on others.” I want this book to impact lives for good.

[Tweet ““A life is not important except for the impact it has on others.” Chasing the Rabbit impacting lives #Autism #Aspergers”]

What’s the message you want your readers to take away after reading the book?

I want people to know that they are not alone when they feel like no one could possibly understand what they are going through with their child who “isn’t quite right.” I want people to have hope that there are better days ahead if you never give up. And that Jeremiah 29:11 is true. God has a plan and it is for you to prosper and not to harm you, for you to have hope and a future.

And for people who do not have a loved one on the spectrum, I want them to realize that the ‘weird’ guy at work or that odd girl in your class may have more going on than just being different. And I bet you know that kid who is obsessed with dinosaurs or that co-worker who just wants to talk about astronomy would love it if you gave them a friendly smile and asked them some questions about their favorite topic.

Lastly, Dylan has had 30 jobs. So to all bosses or managers, if you employ someone you suspect is on the spectrum, and you probably have someone who is or you will soon, give them very clear instructions, don’t expect them to read between the lines (because they can’t) and maybe just sit down and ask them how you can help them be successful. The unemployment rate among people with autism is over 80%. They want to work. Let’s all do our part to help them.

Do you have a proud moment, inspirational story, or moving fan feedback you’d like to share?

I write in my book, and I talk about at our lectures, the fact that for many years I was angry at Dylan. I was angry at Dylan for being Dylan. I was pissed at him for creating chaos in our home, making any family activity a challenge, monopolizing most of my time and energy as a dad of four, causing stress in our wonderful marriage and, frankly, often cramping my sex life. This is an honest dad’s perspective and that is something a dad gets frustrated about. I advise dads that they have to “mourn the son they thought they were going to have so they can love the one God gave them.” I was overwhelmed one day when a dad of a 9 year old on the spectrum, with tears rolling down his cheeks, came up to me and said, “I am so mad at my son but I didn’t even realize that was my real emotion until you put words to it. Thank you! Thank you for helping me begin to accept my son for who he is.”

If our readers leave with only one message after reading this interview, what would you like it to be?

Raising a child on the autism spectrum is hard. There is no watering that down and it doesn’t help anyone to pretend it isn’t hard. But you are not alone on your journey. Learn from others who have walked the walk.

Find more information on:

  • Chasing the Rabbit website
  • Derek Volk on Linked In
  • @DerekVolk
  • Chasing the Rabbit on Facebook
  • Buy the book on Amazon

Images courtesy of Derek Volk

TwitterFacebookPinterestLinkedInRedditWhatsApp

Filed Under: Blog Haps, Curious Interviews Tagged With: aspergers syndrome, autism book, Derek Volk

About Jodi Murphy

Jodi Murphy is the founder of Geek Club Books, a registered nonprofit committed to creating a world where autistic individuals are fully accepted, valued and have a voice. Her priority is bringing autistic individuals creative and leadership opportunities that are meaningful, empowering and support their advocacy. She works with a creative autistic team to produce pop culture-based autism awareness education that is innovative, engaging, positive and opens hearts and minds to a new way of thinking about autism. Sign up for Geek Club Books mailing list for free apps, resource guides, curriculum, audio stories and more: https://geekclubbooks.com/autism-bundle.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Join Our Neurodiverse Community:

Read Our Current Issue:

Search

Latest

  • A Year That Forced Me to Be More Patient and Flexible
  • This Year I’ll No Longer Apologize for Taking Up Space
  • #AskingAutistics: What Caused Your Autistic Burnout?
  • Why I’m the Caregiver I Never Had Growing Up
  • Allowing Myself Grace at Every Turn

Topics

  • 501c3 Mission (8)
  • Anxiety (8)
  • App & Product Reviews (12)
  • Autimisms (29)
  • Autism Acceptance (13)
  • Autism at Work (9)
  • Autism Entrepreneurs (17)
  • Autism Resources (6)
  • Blog Haps (534)
  • Buzz (6)
  • Classroom (15)
  • Curious Interviews (116)
  • Day in the Life (9)
  • Dorktales (4)
  • Impactful Blogs (9)
  • Labels (4)
  • Love (5)
  • Mighty League (31)
  • Neurodiversity (2)
  • Our Personal Autism Journey (28)
  • Penfriend Project Autism Columns (215)
    • Adriana's Awesome Autistic Book Lists (1)
    • Aspierations (16)
    • Autism Insider (76)
    • Autistic Speaks (27)
    • Being Brave (25)
    • Chloe Rothschild (3)
    • Fidgets and Fries (2)
    • Happy Aspie (9)
    • My Shaynanigans (8)
    • Neurodivergent Rebel (19)
    • Positively Autistic (17)
    • Proud Autistic Living (6)
    • Tud Sense (5)
  • Pop Culture (8)
  • Safety (8)
  • Self-Care (7)
  • Self-Esteem (3)
  • Self-Improvement (10)
  • Sensory Needs (9)
  • Social Skills (4)
  • Speech and Language (6)
  • Tell Us Your Story (29)
  • Zoom Autism (55)

Footer

Support Our Work

Partners

#ReadYourWorld Advisor
 

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2021 Geek Club Books

To improve your experience on our site we may use cookies. Find out more.