- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- special kids today articles
- special kids today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Nathaniel's Story
Stepping up to the Plate for Autism By Melinda Copp
Putting It into WordsNathaniel's baseball prowess inspired Donch's first novel, Beast (Llumina Stars, 2007), which is a fictionalized memoir based on Nathaniel's Little League pitching success.
"Writing my book has been very rewarding for me," Donch says. "Not only has it given me a chance to captivate readers with Nathaniel's story, but it's enabled me to do something that could raise autism awareness through America's favorite pastime baseball. It's my hope that the book will be read by a lot of people who 
wouldn't ordinarily be interested in reading a book on autism, but might be interested in reading a fun, intriguing and inspirational baseball story. I want the important messages shared in the book to reach non-members of the autism/Asperger community so as to incite more acceptance, support and appreciation for people on the spectrum."
Donch, who helps coach his son's team, believes that Nathaniel's participation and success in baseball has helped build his confidence and social skills. Plus, having a big family doesn't hurt either.
Donch's oldest, Dominika, 18, attends the local community college studying liberal arts. She hasn't quite figured out exactly what she wants to do yet, but she knows that she loves working with kids based on her experience as an after school program coordinator for elementary student, Donch says.