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.
A few on sensory processing disorder I really liked if you'd like to check them out: Too Sticky! by Jen Malia; Too Much by Jolene Gutierrez (loved this one!)
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!
I love that he identified with the character! A great proof point about why representation is so important and why it fundamentally matters. Also, love that you snuck the book into grandma's reading options. Adults benefit from picture books too!
Do you have any thoughts or recommendations on when and how to tell a ND kid that they are so? We have not spoken to him about it yet, but enough people talk about it near to him that he must soon ask about it, and we don't have a plan of what to say.
There isn't a specific age but I think introducing some of the knowledge early on is really helpful because as you said he is hearing about it around him. You want to be able to have your presence in those conversations and be able to guide them with a strength and affirming lens. It's helpful to think developmentally where your child is and how much they can take in and it may be a slow, bit by bit process. But you are definitely starting by bringing books into his orbit about neurodiversity. Those might be great opportunities to talk about how people have different types of brains to start and then you can talk a bit about his brain.
Definitely agree with what Kathryn said. For us, our son just recently at age 8 had a negative encounter with a peer and asked us why he’s different etc. It was hard because no parent wants to see their child not fit in but when we told that he has autism and his brain works differently etc. it helped him have more compassion and understanding for himself.
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!
Oh yay, I’m so glad your kid enjoyed it! I loved doing this interview with you. It helped ME so much figure out what good representation looks like. I so appreciate you sharing that with all of us!
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.
A few on sensory processing disorder I really liked if you'd like to check them out: Too Sticky! by Jen Malia; Too Much by Jolene Gutierrez (loved this one!)
Thank you!!!
I support you in any children’s book writing endeavors. ;)
Maybe someday! I've got to work up the confidence first.
I would buy it as soon as it was available!
Ahhhh what a dream team! I love both of your Substacks so much! Thank you for these recommendations!
Thank you! 🙏
Thank you Shelly!
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 :)
Yes! 100%!!!
This was really great -- kudos to you both.
Thank you so much, Sarah! 🙏
Thank you Sarah!
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!
Robin, your newsletter is filled with such beauty and thoughtfulness; I was so happy to share it here. ❤️
Thanks Sri, so much! ☺️
Yes, Robin you make such a good point about changes across the lifespan, so many changes.
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!
I love that he identified with the character! A great proof point about why representation is so important and why it fundamentally matters. Also, love that you snuck the book into grandma's reading options. Adults benefit from picture books too!
Those moments feel so valuable when you hear that they see themselves!
Do you have any thoughts or recommendations on when and how to tell a ND kid that they are so? We have not spoken to him about it yet, but enough people talk about it near to him that he must soon ask about it, and we don't have a plan of what to say.
There isn't a specific age but I think introducing some of the knowledge early on is really helpful because as you said he is hearing about it around him. You want to be able to have your presence in those conversations and be able to guide them with a strength and affirming lens. It's helpful to think developmentally where your child is and how much they can take in and it may be a slow, bit by bit process. But you are definitely starting by bringing books into his orbit about neurodiversity. Those might be great opportunities to talk about how people have different types of brains to start and then you can talk a bit about his brain.
Dr. Emily King has some resources: https://open.substack.com/pub/learnwithdremily/p/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-their-neurodivergence?r=2ao7s2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Dr. Liz Angoff also has some helpful parent tools:
https://explainingbrains.com/parents/
Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply
Definitely agree with what Kathryn said. For us, our son just recently at age 8 had a negative encounter with a peer and asked us why he’s different etc. It was hard because no parent wants to see their child not fit in but when we told that he has autism and his brain works differently etc. it helped him have more compassion and understanding for himself.
I hate that he had that experience. It breaks my heart. I hope he’s feeling more empowered. ❤️
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 so much! There are some real gems out there but unfortunately hard to find!
What a marvelous interview!!! Thank you for sharing this with all of us!
Thank you Caroline! Always appreciate your support. 😘
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!
Oh yay, I’m so glad your kid enjoyed it! I loved doing this interview with you. It helped ME so much figure out what good representation looks like. I so appreciate you sharing that with all of us!