Book Nook: Little Me - My First Day of School

 

At 36, the author of ‘Little Me - My First Day of School,’ Stephanie Hughes, says she was diagnosed with autism in adulthood although she had it from birth and has spent her whole life masking it “in order to fit in.” Like others on the spectrum, she hates loud noises and by trying too hard to be liked by people brought her to the point of “autistic burnout” last year.

A desperate Stephanie explains: “I was so weak, I had pain, fatigue and was reduced to a tiny 5st 4lb.”She has four children, two of which also have autism. “I’m trying to encourage my autistic daughters to just be themselves and not be ashamed of their needs or differences,” she adds. “If I can show people that being yourself is enough, to get them to really empathise with Isla, then I feel this could make a difference to many.”

According to research by the Healthy London Partnership, an increase in diagnosis rates has led to an increased focus within national programmes and on the governmental agenda However, children and young people (CYP) and their families are still struggling to access diagnostic and support services across the country.

CYP with autism and their families are subject to health inequalities such as access of diagnostic and support services and ‘diagnostic overshadowing’ where other physical health concerns are put down to their diagnosis of autism. Within education, children with special educational needs such as autism are almost seven times more likely to be excluded from school than children with no additional needs.

This little storybook aimed at 4 to 8-year-olds is a narrative in words and pictures of Isla, a girl with autistic spectrum disorder, and her daunting experience of going to school for the very first time. A sufferer of the condition herself, the author explains: “I am keen to raise awareness on autistic spectrum disorder in girls as a lot of girls with it mask the condition so that it's hard to tell. I want people to read my book and really understand how she is feeling. I want people to know that it's OK to be different.”

You can learn more in this interview.

Why did you write this book?

I wrote this book because I have autism, as do 2 of my daughters. I was an adult when I got diagnosed and I’ve masked my whole life. Autism in girls is much harder to diagnose as they are much better at masking. Last year I suffered from autistic burnout, it was my body’s way of telling me to just stop and look after myself. I went down to a tiny 5st 4lb, couldn’t eat, I couldn’t walk, I had severe pain, sometimes I just couldn’t speak. This is when it was Covid, I had time to recover, but it made me realise how I was just trying so hard to fit in my whole life, going from one job to another and struggling with friends. I hated school I would feel so anxious and out of place, but I wasn’t diagnosed so I had no support. My eldest daughter has struggled with school her whole life, now age 14 still has panic attacks and refuses to go sometimes as it’s just too much for her. I really wanted to write this book to give people more of an understanding of how a child feels in situations and why they might do certain things like cover their ears or hide away. I hope it opens people’s eyes and helps them to look out for people who may be struggling.

How can books help children with autism learn about new situations?

Reading to a child encourages their imagination, it gives them more of an understanding of the world, of feelings. It helps them to develop skills needed for life, like listening and can prepare them for things they have never experienced. The words being read, whilst they can see the pictures. Children can develop empathy by listening to a story about another child. If a child can relate to a story, this can help with their self-esteem and help to build their confidence. It can prepare children for things, like new experiences, things they have never experienced before. Autistic children especially benefit from knowing what’s going to happen and mentally preparing for things. They need reassurance, routine and a plan of what could or will happen, books are the perfect visual for this. 

Why is it important for parents and caregivers to have tools to prep kids with special needs for new experiences?

I think my book is helpful to not just those with asd or special needs, but it’s helpful to everyone especially children of Primary school age, as it makes them aware of the differences some children have, it teaches them that it’s ok to be different.

Buy the book:

Amazon.com

Amazon UK

Direct from publisher

About the author:

Stephanie Hughes is a mother in her mid-30s and has struggled with autism all of her life, finding it hard to hold down a job due to lack of support. Two of her four children, daughters, also have the condition. With the publication of her new book, Stephanie says that she is keen to raise awareness on autistic spectrum disorder in girls as many of them, as was the case with herself, try to hide the condition in order to be accepted in society. “I want people to read my book and really understand how the little girl in my book is feeling. I want people to know that its OK to be different.”