Derek Volk, husband of Scarborough state Sen. Amy Volk, has just published a new book detailing his experiences raising a son with Asperger’s syndrome, a developmental disorder that most notably affects the ability to socialize with others.

Volk’s book, “Chasing the Rabbit: A Dad’s Life Raising a Son on the Spectrum,” is available from Amazon and also includes passages written by his son, Dylan, that talk about his daily struggles and the various coping strategies he’s learned through the years.

The Volk family moved to Scarborough in 1999 and in addition to Dylan, who is now 23, Volk and his wife have three other children, Mariah, 21, Lilly, 16, and Serena, 11.

Volk is the third generation owner and operator, along with his uncle, of Volk Packaging, a corrugated box manufacturing company based in Biddeford.

This week Volk spoke with the Current about Dylan’s diagnosis, how it affected him and the rest of the family and why he wrote the book.

Q: When was Dylan diagnosed with Asperger’s and what were the signs or symptoms?

A: When Dylan was 2 my wife sat me down and said, “Something’s not quite right with Dylan.” My immediate response was denial. How could my beautiful little boy be anything but perfect? She didn’t know what it was but she knew Dylan was different from other kids.

He was exceptionally smart but did not seem to have any interest in playing or interacting with other kids his age. He had very unique interests. His quirkiness was cute but all his behaviors were not. He would have meltdowns that were well beyond the typical temper tantrum and he was extremely impulsive, which often appeared as rude or unkind.

A camp director called me one day and said, “Come get your son. He’s a monster.” We went from diagnosis to diagnosis. It was six more years before we finally received the correct diagnosis of Asperger’s. When we learned more about Asperger’s we were in shock that so many doctors and therapists had overlooked it, because it seemed so obvious. Unfortunately, getting the correct diagnosis was just the beginning.

Q: Why did you write “Chasing the Rabbit?”

A: Originally I planned to write a business book, but as I sat there staring at the blank monitor I heard a voice as clear as can be, which I believe was God, saying to me, “That is not the book you are supposed to write. You should be writing a book about Dylan.”

I immediately started typing and 126,000 words later I have “Chasing the Rabbit.” I have been overwhelmed and extremely touched by the responses I have received from people who have read our book. It is giving people, especially parents struggling with a child on the spectrum, the feeling that they are not alone and that there is hope for their child.

I have also been amazed at the many people, who do not have a child with challenges, telling me how the book has impacted them. I hope, after reading our book, people who see a parent dealing with an out-of-control kid will think twice before judging them. I guarantee you there were many people over the years who looked at Amy and me that way. I know the look.

Q: What was it like writing the book with Dylan?

A: The book was almost completely done before I even told Dylan about it. I was very nervous about what his response would be to his dirty laundry being aired. I was afraid he would say, “you can’t tell people what I’ve been through.” If that happened the book would have been stuck in a three-ring binder and tucked away in my office forever.

I could never publish Dylan’s story without his permission. Thank goodness, he was totally supportive. I then started sending him chapters so he could write what we called “Dylan’s Take.” These passages are fantastic. His voice makes the book complete and Amy and I even learned more about him as he started sending me his thoughts.

We spoke at the Southern Maine Autism Conference in March and we were huge hit. Dylan was like a rock star. The feedback was both unbelievable and quite humbling. We are now booked to speak in Cleveland, Denver, Tucson, Boston and Spokane over the next few months. Sharing our story around the country with Dylan by my side will be great.

Q: Was there anything that he wrote that surprised or moved you?

A: I was surprised how honest Dylan was about his struggles. I had made the assumption that he would put a revisionist history on what we went through. He didn’t do that at all. My book is extremely raw and truthful about what our family was dealing with while Dylan was growing up.

Q: How has Dylan’s Asperger’s impacted the rest of the family?

A: Dylan has impacted our family in more ways than I can say. The book has a chapter called “Dylan’s Impact” in which I write about the ways that Dylan made us all better people. My wife is now a state senator. I am not sure she would have had the courage and tenacity to take on a task like that had she not raised Dylan.

And, as she wrote in her beautifully written introduction to the book, Dylan “took a headstrong girl who was short-tempered and taught her patience and humility.” My three girls are some of the most loving, caring and compassionate people I know. Teacher after teacher have told us how impressed they are with how our daughters are always looking out for the class outcast.

Our oldest daughter, Mariah, even runs her college’s prison ministry program. She has a huge heart for the Dylans of this world, who didn’t have a loving family to always bail them out of trouble. As for me, I am convinced I am a better husband, father, boss, friend and coach because of Dylan.

Q: What is the message you want people to hear through this book?

A: I want people to know that they are not alone when they feel like no one could possibly understand what they are going through with a child who isn’t quite right. I want people to have hope that there are better days ahead and that the Bible verse in Jeremiah 29:11 is true – “God has a plan and it is for you to prosper and not to harm you, for you to have hope and a future.”

Q: What would you like people to know or understand about Asperger’s?

A: That Asperger’s is not always easy to spot. The weird guy at work or that odd girl in your class may have more going on. And I bet you that kid obsessed with dinosaurs or that co-worker who just wants to talk about astronomy would love it if you gave them a friendly smile and asked them some questions about their favorite topic.

Lastly, Dylan has had 30 jobs. So to all bosses or managers, if you employ someone you suspect is on the spectrum, and you probably have someone who is or you will soon, give them very clear instructions, don’t expect them to read between the lines because they can’t. Also those employers should take the time to just sit down and ask them how you can help them be successful. The unemployment rate among people with autism is over 80 percent. They want to work, so let’s all do our part to help them.

Q: Why do you title your book, “Chasing the Rabbit?”

A: I called it that because I have always used the analogy of a greyhound dog to describe Dylan. When you watch a greyhound dog in a race the dog chases a plastic rabbit. No matter how fast the dogs run they never catch the rabbit. In Dylan’s life, he is like that dog and the rabbit is normal. Some may find that harsh, but Dylan is all too well aware that he is different – he sees the rabbit in front of him, he just can’t ever catch it.

Q: What are Dylan’s hopes or plans for the future?

A: Dylan is currently living in Austin, Texas, pursuing a career in comedy. He would kill me if I didn’t mention his You Tube channel – Dielawn Comedy. He has posted some hysterical comedic music videos, as well as some short Vine-type content. He really is very funny and is working hard to fulfill his dream of making people laugh.

Derek Volk, right, of Scarborough, with his son, Dylan. Dylan suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome and his struggles have been documented in a new book entitled, “Chasing the Rabbit: A Dad’s Life Raising a Son on the Spectrum,” which was written by Derek. Courtesy photo