Hi, I'm Levi Whitlow.

I write with the heart of a parent who understands the everyday realities of raising children with unique challenges. As the father of a daughter on the autism spectrum and a child living with type 1 diabetes, I have a deeply personal perspective on what it means to navigate the ups and downs of parenting through medical conditions and special needs. My work blends compassion, honesty, and hope, offering encouragement to families who often feel unseen or overwhelmed.

Through my books, I strive to give voice to the struggles and triumphs of families like my own - reminding parents that while the journey is never easy, they are not alone. My words are shaped by lived experience, a commitment to advocacy, and an unwavering belief in the resilience of children and the strength of the families who love them.

When five-year-old Ethan Foster is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, his family fears his athletic dreams are over - but eighteen years later, he's proving that managing his condition has actually prepared him for excellence at basketball's highest levels.

Outside the Normal Range follows Ethan Foster's remarkable journey from a scared five-year-old receiving a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis to a determined young man who discovers that managing his condition has actually prepared him for excellence in ways he never imagined. When Ethan's father's birthday celebration is interrupted by a hospital visit that changes everything, the Foster family must learn to navigate a new reality where blood sugar checks, insulin calculations, and constant vigilance become part of daily life.

As Ethan grows older, he initially pursues football but finds his true passion on the basketball court, where his diabetes-honed skills of quick decision-making, pressure management, and strategic thinking give him unexpected advantages. With the support of mentors like Coach Williams and the friendship of other young athletes with diabetes, including eight-year-old Tommy Chen, Ethan learns that his condition isn't a limitation to overcome—it's a strength to embrace. His meticulous approach to diabetes management translates perfectly to basketball's demands for split-second decisions and complex problem-solving.

The story follows Ethan through middle school pickup games, high school championships, and elite college basketball at Duke University, where he faces both triumph and crisis. When a severe low blood sugar episode during a crucial Duke-North Carolina rivalry game threatens to derail his dreams, Ethan must confront public criticism and self-doubt while proving that reliability comes from preparation, not the absence of challenges. Throughout his journey, Ethan becomes an inadvertent spokesperson for the diabetes community, inspiring countless young athletes through media coverage, speaking engagements, and mentorship relationships.

Outside the Normal Range culminates with Ethan's selection in the NBA draft and his stellar professional debut, proving that being "outside the normal range" isn't a disadvantage - it's a superpower waiting to be discovered. This inspiring novel demonstrates how the challenges we face in life can become our greatest strengths, offering hope and representation to young people with chronic conditions and their families who need to see that extraordinary achievements are possible.

Being a teen on the autism spectrum can feel overwhelming - but different doesn't mean less. The Spark Within is a guide filled with encouragement, tools, and stories to help teens discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and imagine a future filled with possibility.

Being an autistic teenager comes with unique challenges, but it also comes with remarkable strengths that the world desperately needs. The Spark Within offers authentic guidance for teens on the autism spectrum who want to understand themselves better, develop practical life skills, and build confidence in their authentic selves. This isn't another book about "fixing" autism or becoming more "normal" - it's about discovering your superpowers and learning to let them shine.

Written from genuine understanding of the autistic experience, this comprehensive guide addresses the real questions teens face: How do I navigate confusing social expectations? What if I need more time than my peers to reach certain milestones? How can my intense interests become career strengths? How do I find my people and build genuine friendships? Through sixteen detailed chapters, readers explore everything from sensory management and emotional regulation to academic success strategies and future planning.

The book features authentic stories from teens who've learned to thrive while staying true to themselves, practical tools that work with autistic brains rather than against them, and a strengths-based approach that celebrates neurodiversity. Each chapter includes actionable strategies, real-world applications, and reflection exercises designed to help readers build their personal toolkit for navigating life successfully.

Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been navigating autism for years, you'll find strategies for managing daily challenges alongside encouragement to embrace what makes you uniquely valuable. The book covers essential topics like building genuine friendships, managing sensory overwhelm, advocating for your needs, and creating a vision for your future that honors both your autistic identity and your individual goals.

The Spark Within recognizes that autistic teens don't need to be "fixed" - they need to be understood, supported, and celebrated for the incredible perspectives and abilities they bring to the world. Your differences aren't obstacles to overcome; they're the foundation of your greatest contributions. This book will help you recognize the spark that's already within you and give you the tools to share it confidently with the world.