Rodney Peete was on top of the world working as a quarterback for the Oakland Raiders. But then he had a so-called "come to Jesus moment'' when he learned that his then-three-year-old son R.J. had autism, a developmental disability that causes significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.

He was grief-stricken. But he and his wife, actress, author, activist and philanthropist, Holly Robinson Peete, fought hard to overcome the challenge. He retells his poignant story in 'Not My Boy: A Father, A Son, and One Family's Journey with Autism.' He writes how the family pulled together to seek help for R.J. to help manage the disorder. He also writes how he and his wife became closer as a result of the diagnosis. The timely release of the book helps puts a name and face on the sometimes baffling disorder and comes just in time for World Autism Awareness Day, which kicks off today, April 2 and National Autism Awareness Month, which began yesterday, April 1.

"I am writing this book because when I got my wake-up call and my son received his diagnosis, there was no Father's Guide or Dad's Secret to battling autism to help me on this long, hard, emotional and sometimes terrifying road,'' Peete writes. "This book is about the incredible journey I, and other fathers, are experiencing with our sons. It is about days of darkness and tears to scoring goals in a playoff soccer game. It's about a father's incredible love for his son and the willingness to do whatever it takes to keep him moving forward. Eight years after the dreadful diagnosis, I am writing this book to let every father know that your dreams for you and your son can still be a reality."

Autism knows no bounds. It affects tens of millions of people worldwide, according to the World Autism Awareness Day Web site. In the U.S more people are being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) than ever before. The disorders cut across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, but boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed than in girls and an average of 1 in 110 children have an ASD, according to the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Peetes have long served as spokesmen for autism. They run the HollyRod4Kids Foundation to help children with autism gain access to affordable treatments and therapies. Additionally, Holly Robinson Peete and her 11-year-old daughter, Ryan Elizabeth, who happens to be R.J.'s twin, recently released 'My Brother Charlie,' a children's book about a girl's twin bother who is diagnosed with autism. The tale, published by Scholastic, mirrors the life of the Peetes.


"My daughter and I cherish the opportunity to partner with Scholastic to introduce our family's journey through autism with 'My Brother Charlie,' " Holly Robinson Peete said in a news release. "Children with autism are often misunderstood. Our hope is that this book will help families embrace and accept these exceptional people."