Helena Santos, Ana Pereira, and Ana Sofia Mina are three speech therapists who play a fundamental role in interventions with children with autism spectrum disorders. Recently, they joined forces to launch the children's book "My Friend João ," a work created with the aim of raising awareness and informing young people about the characteristics and challenges faced by children with autism.
Inspired by their daily clinical practice, where they observed the difficulties and misunderstandings that many children with autism face in a variety of contexts, the three authors developed this book. Through a captivating and educational story, they managed to convey, in a simple and accessible way, the particularities of the behavior of a child with autism, promoting empathy and inclusion.
Since its release, the book has been widely praised and collected by parents, educators, and, of course, the children themselves. Its success has been such that it is already in its second edition, and presentations held in various schools have generated emotionally impactful feedback, proving that the book's message is fulfilling its objective: to promote understanding and inclusion . Although the road is long and complex .
The Origin of the Book
The idea arose from the need to describe some of the characteristics of children with autism, facilitating the understanding of their behaviors and difficulties, especially in the school context. We wanted to create a tool that would help both peers and educators to better understand these children.
The inspiration came from the daily observation that children with autism are often misunderstood. We noticed that, in many contexts, they were judged solely by their behavior, resulting in exclusion by their peers. We wanted to create something that would demystify these behaviors and help generate more empathy and understanding.
Our partnership began during our undergraduate studies in Speech Therapy , where we developed a strong friendship. We share the same values regarding cooperation in educational contexts, and the experience we gained in different areas of intervention was essential for the creation of this joint project.
Theme and Message
The main message is the importance of adaptations in educational contexts for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders ( ASD ) . We believe that these adaptations are crucial for their well-being and active participation, allowing them to be regulated and happy.
5. The character "João" plays a central role in the book. How was he conceived?
"João" was inspired by the real-life experiences of children we've worked with. Illustrator Francisco Zamith helped bring the character to life in a way that exceeded all our expectations, successfully capturing the emotions and challenges we wanted to represent.
Yes, many of " João 's" characteristics were inspired by our professional experiences with children with autism. Many of the parents who read the book often tell us that they see their children reflected in the character 's traits .
Target Audience and Reception
The book was designed for children between 3 and 10 years old . We believe the message is accessible and relevant to these ages, promoting understanding and inclusion from an early age.
The reception has been incredible! In less than six months, we sold out the first edition and are already on the second. We've received wonderful feedback from parents, teachers, and children who tell us how the book has helped them better understand the struggles of their autistic peers.
Creative Process
The process was very collaborative. We shared situations we observed in our guidance sessions and, from there, we met weekly to discuss which ones would make sense to include in the book. The creation of the story flowed smoothly because we were all on the same page about what we were going to convey.
The illustrator was Francisco Zamith, a natural choice due to his sensitivity and experience. He perfectly captured the tone we wanted for the book, using color contrasts to highlight challenging moments and the solutions found.
Future and Projects
Yes, we have already thought about continuing the story of "João" or even translating it into other languages, so that this message reaches even further.
Believe in the message you want to convey. Don't worry so much about the commercial aspect, but about the impact the story can have. When a message is strong and meaningful, it truly touches people.
Conclusion
We invite you to read "My Friend João" and share this story with the little ones. Inclusion is a value that should be cultivated from an early age, and we conclude that this book can help awaken empathy and understanding in everyone. As Kiko's mother, who wrote our preface so openly, sincerely, and realistically, says, inclusion begins with each of us.
We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the authors Helena Santos, Ana Pereira, and Ana Sofia Mina for participating in this interview. Their dedication and commitment to promoting the understanding and inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorders are truly admirable. The work they do reflects not only their professional competence but also their sensitivity and commitment to the cause.
We strongly encourage everyone to read the book "My Friend John". Through a captivating story, this book teaches the importance of empathy and inclusion. It's an excellent tool for parents, educators, and children, allowing for a better understanding of the challenges faced by children with autism and contributing to the creation of more welcoming and inclusive environments. Don't miss the opportunity to read and share this important message!