Meet Ria, a creative, thoughtful girl who experiences the world in her own brilliant way.
Ria loves her long braids, black anime-inspired clothes, moon dragons and music. She is autistic, verbal and full of wonderful ideas. But school can sometimes feel worrying, especially when busy sounds become overwhelming, plans suddenly change or other children do not understand what she is trying to say.
Ria wants friendships, but joining in is not always easy. Sometimes she feels left out, struggles to explain her feelings or worries that her classmates will misunderstand her. With supportive adults, helpful sensory tools and growing confidence, Ria learns that she can express her needs and be proud of who she is.
Through Ria's warm and honest story, children can explore:
- Sensory differences and overwhelm
- Worrying about school
- Feeling misunderstood or left out
- Special interests and joyful stimming
- Friendship, empathy and belonging
- Coping with unexpected changes
- Asking for quiet, headphones or additional time
- Autistic identity, confidence and self-advocacy
Autism and Me is an empowering, beautifully illustrated story for autistic children, their families, classmates and teachers. It gently encourages understanding while reminding every child that different does not mean less.
Different. Brilliant. Proudly Ria.