Excerpt from To Siri with Love by Judith Newman, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

Why did this story hit a nerve? Well, for one thing, it presented an opposing view to the current notion that technology dumbs us down and is as bad for us as Cheetos. But its popularity also, I believe, stems from its being about finding solace and companionship in an unexpected place. As we disappear into our phones, tablets, smart watches, and the next smart thing, it's all too tempting to disengage. These days, it's easy for everyone to feel a little lonely.

But here was a counter point of view. Technology can also bring us out a little and reinforce social behavior. It can be a bridge, not a wall.

I realized there was a great deal more to say about the "average" autistic kid. Narratives of autism tend to be about the extremes. Behold the eccentric genius who will one day be running NASA! (Well, someone has to get a human to another galaxy; you didn't think it would be someone neurotypical, did you?) And here is the person so impaired, he is smashing his head against the wall and finger painting with the blood. What about the vast number of people in between?

That's my son Gus.

Excerpted from To Siri with Love by Paul Newman. Copyright © 2017 by Paul Newman. Excerpted by permission of Harper. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.