Unexpected Lessons From Professor Higgins

You will laugh and cry when you read how Patti Smith lovingly and honestly reveals transformative lessons gleaned from forty-plus years of caring for (and being tutored by) her son, Christopher. His diagnosis as a baby with Down Syndrome at first tilted her world off-axis, only to reveal itself to be the thing that actually set her worldview at the exact right angle.

In an inspirational and heartwarming manner, Patti explains how her life was changed for the better in profound ways.

With her son as her master teacher, Patti learned to see life through his perspective and discover the joy in situations requiring her to dig deeply into her own psyche to identify beliefs needing adjustment. She shares the way she changes with vulnerability and light-heartedness, while giving credit to her clever son who is respectfully referred to as her own Professor Higgins.

This book is not just a book about how to raise a child with Down Syndrome, but an inspiring and humorous reflection of parenting and relationships in general.

Awarded the Olive Woolley Burt Award for Creative Writing in the New Voices category.

What readers are saying:

"This book changed the way I want to parent!” - Ryan H.

“An incredible book, I laughed, I cried, I couldn't put it down!” -Julie L.

“I loved this book so much I purchased extra for friends and family to read.” -Chante M.

"A wonderful self-help book disguised as a memoir." - S.B.

© 2025 Two Octaves Publishing (Audiobook): 9798988982364

Release date

Audiobook: June 12, 2025