WHATS SCARY?: A Hans and Moms Autism Book About Emotions

This early reader storybook came to mind when my son asked, “What’s scary?”I asked him the same question, and he answered, “It’s the lion on the carpet under my bed in my room.”From then on, I thought I would make it into a children’s book series, and this is the first in it.Enjoy the story of Hans, a boy diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and Mom, his primary caregiver.I have incorporated vivid dreams in this story with the help of my illustrator so that people can be aware of the different emotions and sensory issues that individuals with autism face daily.You will also see the contrasts of colors in this book. As per my observation with my son, he tends to relax if the light is dim or dark rather than well-lighted. He has visual cues, such as the fear of the lion, imprinted on the carpet. He opens and closes the doors and light switches if stressed and anxious. Whenever he gets overwhelmed by sounds, he covers his ears. We addressed these issues by hugging, calmly talking to him, and putting on a weighted blanket to sleep on.I am not an expert in this field, and these are all based on my firsthand experiences, but I hope you will learn something through my understanding.I dedicate this book to all the special needs parents and neurodivergent kids.I am sure they will enjoy reading this book as there are drawing and coloring activity pages included at the back of the book.Together, let us spread Autism Awareness and inclusivity to the world to create change.If you want to connect with me further, please visit my page, www.kmjader.com