'All On His Own': Manhattan Man, 19, With Autism Authors Book

MANHATTAN, IL — Once Nathan Trull set his deadline, there was no wiggle room.

He would finish writing his book, and he would do it by May. Now the 19-year-old Manhattan man has held a copy of it in his own hands: he did it.

Trull started the book in October 2023, and his mother Christine couldn't be prouder that he has accomplished his own goal—but she's not exactly surprised. The Manhattan School District 114 and Lincoln-Way District 210 alum has always been imaginative, and disciplined.

"... ever since he was little, he’s had a really creative imagination," Christine Trull said.

Adding more shine to the accomplishment is Nathan working with and through the challenges of an Autism diagnosis. As a child, Nathan was on an Individualized Education Plan; as a teen at Lincoln-Way District 210, he was given support but was no longer on an IEP.

"Once he got into Special Education, especially at Wilson Creek, they were wonderful," Christine Trull said. "The schools taught me a lot ... They all learn different. Different things, different paces. To have a school district that allows that, was very helpful."

Now majoring in English at Joliet Junior College, Nathan set about bringing his dream to fruition.

"I’ve always wanted to make my own story, and writing is the most accessible," Nathan told Patch. "As time has gone on, the more I learn about writing, the more I’ve been getting into it."

Nathan's book, "Family In Progress," tells the story of two friends who have lost touch, after one slipped into drug use. Ten years later, Lezlie learns her friend Hailey has had a child, while still indulging in drugs. When Hailey is arrested for drug possession, her daughter Ava is left with no one to care for her, until Lezlie is asked to stepped in.

"That's really just the beginning of the book," Nathan stresses.

The two embark on a journey leading to turmoil, conflict, and ultimately, the creation of a family.

"Most of the book is comprised of the woman, the child bonding to from a mother-daughter relationship," he said.

The subject matter runs deep, and has special significance to Nathan.

"Stories about adoption have always been a soft spot for me," he said. "I’ve always wanted to make a story about adoption.

"Adoption is something, when I grow older and am ready to be a father, adoption is something I definitely want to do."

Feeling accomplished with his first book in print and available on Amazon, Nathan emphasizes this isn't his end goal.

"... writing a book isn’t the only thing I want to do," he said. "I want to make graphic novels. But that’s going to acquire a lot of money for illustrators. Being an author is the first step to it."

Still, he's basking in the moment.

"It’s been really exciting, it feels so good to be able to get a story that I came up with in my head, on paper as something that other people can enjoy," he said.

It's been a process, Christine Trull said, and the final product of 351 pages is so worth it.

"He would schedule his time, how many words he would want to write a day," she said. "He said he'd do it, he was so determined."

Trull encourages parents who think their child might have special needs, to pursue every avenue and option. For their family, Nathan had passed the preschool screening, but the standards were low. A diagnosis took some time, she said.

"Trust your gut," she told Patch. "If you feel like there’s something not right, talk to the school. Talk to the Special Education program."

Nathan wanted to thank his friend Max, who's helping him create a website for his work, and his grandmother Ann McGowan.

His enthusiasm is contagious, Christine Trull said.

"It's been fun to watch him get so excited," she said. "... He did this all on his own.

"We’re very, very, very proud."