'My Son Jules Is The Garlic In Life's Salad'

Author Kathy Lette tells Victoria Young about navigating her autistic son’s young adulthood – and the novel that was inspired by his love life

- Kathy Lette

In an interview a few years ago with woman&home, Kathy Lette ‘came out’ about her son Julius’ autism, which she’d kept secret for 21 years. Her bestselling book, The Boy Who Fell to Earth, was a fictional account of life with an autistic child. Her new novel, Best Laid Plans, broaches the topic of autism and sex. Kathy lives in London, and also has daughter, Georgina, 24.

I’m very candid, so hiding something was out of character for me.

I waited until Jules was 21 to talk about his autism as I didn’t want to invade his privacy and I needed his permission. I did the right thing, but talking about it was a relief!

It taught me that it was better to shine a light into a dark corner.

It made others feel they are not alone and it connected me with the whole autistic community. But it’s amazing how much stigma still shrouds the condition. My aim by writing about autism is to normalise it. And that includes writing about sex. You never read about autism and sex, but it’s a big topic for us; in fact, it’s centre stage.

Jules prefers to say he has Asperger’s.