Great post from Kathryn! I like her perspective that books about neurodiversity should focus on value. We have Leo and the Octopus but I'd love to pick up I Think I Think a Lot (for myself). I think I'd write a book about sensory processing disorder.
I read a bunch of kids books about autism last year and I feel like I'm a better teacher of neurodiverse kids because of these books. It's like I could feel my empathy expanding as I read :)
Thank you so much for the mention, Sri! I love that these books exist for kids now - they did not when my kiddo was little. As a NT mom, having more of these options would have made a difference in how I approached things in those early days, I think. (And I'm glad you included "Same But Different" on your Bookshop list, a great one for teens and siblings!) I appreciate Dr. Barbash's reminder of the diversity within the neurodiverse universe. This is also true across the lifespan - my son's autism as a little guy became something quite different as he got older and we are still learning and adjusting through every phase of life. And this is a great line: "No one should need to justify their difference by the promise they will make a significant impact on the world." Thank you for this great post!
Thanks for this article. I have a kiddo with autism and ADHD and it is always the number 1 topic governing everyone’s lives. We love “The whirling twirling motor”. When we first read it to him, without any prompting he said “he’s like me!” And I also sneaked it into a pile of books for his Grandma to read him one night, which sneakily helped her learn a few things too!
As a mother who has an autistic & adhd child, Leo & the Octopus is FANTASTIC. It’s hard to find accurate yet joyful neurodiverse representation in picture books. Thanks for putting some new ones on my radar! xx
Thank you Sri for this opportunity! I loved being able to talk about representation of neurodiversity in picture books. We also just got I think, I think a lot last week from the library and my kid who is quite the thinker loved it, great picks!
Great post from Kathryn! I like her perspective that books about neurodiversity should focus on value. We have Leo and the Octopus but I'd love to pick up I Think I Think a Lot (for myself). I think I'd write a book about sensory processing disorder.
Ahhhh what a dream team! I love both of your Substacks so much! Thank you for these recommendations!
I read a bunch of kids books about autism last year and I feel like I'm a better teacher of neurodiverse kids because of these books. It's like I could feel my empathy expanding as I read :)
This was really great -- kudos to you both.
Thank you so much for the mention, Sri! I love that these books exist for kids now - they did not when my kiddo was little. As a NT mom, having more of these options would have made a difference in how I approached things in those early days, I think. (And I'm glad you included "Same But Different" on your Bookshop list, a great one for teens and siblings!) I appreciate Dr. Barbash's reminder of the diversity within the neurodiverse universe. This is also true across the lifespan - my son's autism as a little guy became something quite different as he got older and we are still learning and adjusting through every phase of life. And this is a great line: "No one should need to justify their difference by the promise they will make a significant impact on the world." Thank you for this great post!
Thanks for this article. I have a kiddo with autism and ADHD and it is always the number 1 topic governing everyone’s lives. We love “The whirling twirling motor”. When we first read it to him, without any prompting he said “he’s like me!” And I also sneaked it into a pile of books for his Grandma to read him one night, which sneakily helped her learn a few things too!
As a mother who has an autistic & adhd child, Leo & the Octopus is FANTASTIC. It’s hard to find accurate yet joyful neurodiverse representation in picture books. Thanks for putting some new ones on my radar! xx
What a marvelous interview!!! Thank you for sharing this with all of us!
Thank you Sri for this opportunity! I loved being able to talk about representation of neurodiversity in picture books. We also just got I think, I think a lot last week from the library and my kid who is quite the thinker loved it, great picks!