Publisher: Red Lightning Books

ISBN: 978 1684351534

“Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior.” What happens when a young child does not know why he screams when he hears loud noises or feels afraid in crowds? What happens in school when other kids bully and pick on this child, and he must learn how to deal with their abuse when there is no one to help him?

Anthony Ianni is a motivational speaker who shares his story with so many others in this great resource and memoir titled: Centered: Autism, Basketball and One Man’s Dream.

The memoir recounts his time in preschool, kindergarten and just learning to cope with the fact that he tempers tantrums, could not deal with change and finally they realized he needed order and structure. His mother and father were his champions and at times he and his sister fought. School was hard at first and the special education team gave up except for the director or person in charge remained in the room and tried to figure out how to create an IEP for Anthony. The author includes the various notes and assessments made as he shares what the evaluators and teachers did to work with him in school and the behaviors he exhibited.

Anthony reflects on many events from his childhood including the temper tantrums, the fear of loud noises and the bullying he suffered at the hands of kids in school, teammates and watching his sister’s sporting event. Parents that were supportive and yet Anthony needed to prove to himself that he could withstand the bullying and focusing on sports and hoping to play basketball for Michigan State even though so many said it would never happen. At one point he relates that Autistic Kids do not play sports and I have an 11-year-old nephew that certainly does. Never giving up and trying to find faith within himself the author tells his story in his own voice allowing readers to hear his words, understand his feelings and endure the pain and unhappiness he had to rise above. With a family and a grandfather that was supportive and the goal of wanting to play basketball will he overcome the obstacles and became the adult in the future focusing on sports?

The memoir recounts his times hoping to play for Michigan State but first for Grand Valley State a division two team having to learn how to understand that sometimes you must take a longer trip to success. Resource Room in school and the teacher was supportive and dealing with his own anger at times. Two coaches Stucky and Coach Izzo explained the ropes, the fact that he would not get a full ride right away and then Anthony is the nickname AI had to decide for himself. College was in his horizon and Michigan State was his goal and he did graduate but when his Uncle Nick was murdered it took more than just a toll on him his grades suffered, he cut classes and he began to downslide. When the team thought coach Izzo was leaving they banned together and explained to him why they wanted him stay and he did.

When Coach Izzo had a team meeting in the film room to encourage the team members study hard for their tests , he held up reports on everyone one the team and their current grades. Reminding Anthony that his grades were not up to par.

He was also reminded about proper behavior with eh coach  and the fact that he was still responding emotionally to the death of his Uncle Nick. Nothing seemed to matter to him and de began feeling sorry for himself and would not talk to anyone. Then things changed and he was called for a workout and maybe now he would forge ahead. Meeting President Obama made an impression and the remainder of the chapter The Carl Vinson and the Garden tells how his team ranked and the final win. Tournaments and Awards and the start of his work as a motivational speaker encouraged by Frank who presented him with an award and meeting Kelly would change his perspective in a positive way.

Doing the impossible and walking across the stage and graduating and becoming a permanent Spartan was a moment he will never forget and when his coach told him how proud he was I can imagine the pride that he felt. Finally, the Autism Alliance wanted him as a motivational speaker and who better than Anthony to talk to students, parents and schools than him. Moving from the Relentless Tour of the Autism Alliance to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and still speaking in schools his work as a motivational speaker is an inspiration to others. Relentless, persistent and never giving up on himself with parents and a wife that is supportive anyone with autism spectrum needs to read this informative book, read the IEP findings he shares and realize that you too can be Centered: Autism Any sport and attain your own dreams.
Both authors did an amazing job in writing a book that is a definite resource for parents, students, schools, hospital workers and everyone to understand Autism Spectrum.