Book Review: What Are We Going to Do with Tyrone Jr.?

Reviewed by Melissa Suggitt

A compelling exploration of autism, family life, and the unbreakable power of love

An unexpected call to active duty, a new financial hurdle, and a miscommunication at the mall flip the Washington family’s world upside down. What Are We Going to Do With Tyrone Jr? is the kind of story that will sharpen your perspective on justice, inclusion, compassion, and love.

Retired Army veteran Tyrone Washington seeks a quiet life in caring for his family, but he’s always dealing with the guilt of leaving most of the caregiving for their autistic son Tyrone Jr. to his wife Krystal over the years. Now 25, Tyrone Jr. is no longer the adorable child he once was, and every public temper tantrum edges him closer to being taken away. 

An opportunity presents itself when Tyrone Jr. is offered a spot at a local facility whose programming seems to promise a miracle. They believe that the Autism Cure Life Training Academy is the “best and last chance at a normal, independent life” for him. The staggering cost of $70,000 a year becomes yet another hurdle for the family to overcome in their relentless fight for Tyrone Jr.’s well-being.

What follows is an intimate exploration of the dynamics, struggles, and realities faced by a family touched by autism, underscored by hope and love.

With nearly two decades of experience working and volunteering in the disability community, especially with individuals on the autism spectrum, I often approach portrayals of autistic characters with caution. All too frequently, these representations fall short. However, this story stands out as genuine, authentic, and deeply understanding. Tyrone Jr. and his parents’ interactions mirror those of many families I’ve known: from the struggles, like when he attacks his mother; to the successes, like when their sweet little boy shines through.

Author David Grant delves into the taxing nature of caregiving, capturing the mental, physical, and emotional toll it exacts. I really felt for Krystal as she struggled with the sacrifices she had to make in her life to care for Tyrone Jr., and how she was perhaps no longer prepared to continue with the status quo of their lives. 

Layered within this narrative is the stark reality of racial injustice, adding depth and highlighting societal dysfunction. Tyrone Jr. may seem childlike, but his physique is in stark contrast to that, and the world around him continuously treats him unjustly as a threat.

Yet, the story is not mired in negativity. It brims with moments of hope, suggesting a shift toward a more compassionate and inclusive world. A particularly poignant scene involves an ice cream shop meltdown, where Tyrone Jr.’s behavior is met with unexpected compassion and understanding, defusing a tense situation. It is an important scene, one that could have gone very badly. It stayed with me for days. The tender moments in this story burrow deep into your soul. 

The writing is engaging, multifaceted, and carefully crafted. It is a poignant and heart-wrenching portrayal of a family navigating the failings of multiple systems, reflecting the daily injustices faced by many Americans. Through it all, the message is clear: love triumphs.

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