Schuyler's Monster Sparknotes

Schuyler’s Monster is a story about the many struggles of a family dealing with a nonverbal child. Schuyler’s father, Robert, allows the reader to become immersed into their lives, giving the reader a glimpse into the confusion, frustrations, and happiness that encompasses their lives. At first we meet a happy couple that anxiously prepares and waits for the arrival of their first child. Robert describes the many emotions they’re faced with while they’re waiting, when she’s being born, and when she finally arrives. During the first few months of Schuyler’s life everything seems normal, that is, until they meet with their pediatrician and discover that there may be a problem with Schuyler’s communication abilities. Robert describes their fears of uncertainty during the time that they realize “something’s not right,” but aren’t able to determine what it is.
Her parents learn that Schuyler will face difficulties all her life, and suddenly assume the primary responsibility of being her number one advocates. The Hudson’s face many difficult situations with schools, teachers, speech language pathologists, etc. whom don’t offer them the solution that will help Schuyler flourish. When Schuyler’s parents are eventually able to break through to the school districts way of thinking and purchase her an AAC device, Schuyler is finally able to begin a whole new way of learning and communicating. She is eventually moved to a school district with a very good program for special needs students, and it is here that Schuyler’s capabilities and personality truly begin to