All four of Ashbaugh's thrillers use the world of high finance as a backdrop for the action. About 600 copies have been sold so far at Bookland's 13 stores in Maine and New Hampshire. Cissy Koutsivitis, a friend of Ashbaugh and his wife, Nancy, said she started reading the book largely out of curiosity to see what he had written. Koutsivitis, who has twin boys with autism, also is excited about Ashbaugh's plan to use some of the proceeds for children with autism. The Autism Society of Maine estimates that 1,500 Mainers are autistic.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that is thought to have a neurological cause.
Children with autism experience problems in communication, learning and social interaction. Many appear to live in their own world, unaware of other people. With the right help, they can improve. But it's a long-term process. Trevor Ashbaugh, at age 7, still struggles to articulate his wants and needs.