Cultivating Kindness

For many families affected by autism spectrum disorder, one of the most complicated parts of their journey involves opening avenues of communication with the young children in their lives. Differences in how we think, speak, and act can be a tough topic to discuss at any age, but it can be especially challenging when those differences may not be immediately visible in a way that is obvious to a child.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined as “a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain” that can present itself in many ways, such as difficulties with social communication and interaction, restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests, or even different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. In the United States alone, 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with ASD, but many people are still unsure how to have conversations surrounding the subject.

It was a desire to bridge this gap in communication and open the conversation between families and their children that led Memorial Health System RN, Amanda Myers, to write her own children’s book, The Brain of a Legend. Throughout this illustrated storybook, two polar bear friends navigate the world around them through play and adventure—discovering the magic of friendship and inclusion by celebrating their differences, rather than making those differences something that pushes them apart.

A mother of two young children, the oldest of which has an autism diagnosis, Amanda wanted to create a narrative that helped others navigate the same conversations that she was having within her own family. She explains, “The medical definition of autism is long and difficult to understand as an adult, so I don’t see how the world expects kids to understand what autism is when there’s such a complex definition following it.”

Reflecting on her own experience, Amanda expresses the challenges that can arise when discussing differences with other children and how daunting it can be for them to fully grasp the topic. “It can be hard to discuss,” she states, “these things make us different, but there are so many things that connect us with others, and that’s what makes everything so wonderful—that we aren’t all the same!”

The main goal of Amanda’s book is to show others that by highlighting how everyone is different, we are actually showcasing how we are all special and unique. The story’s message is that not being like everyone else is not a bad thing, and that what makes us different can also connect us as friends. She aims to create a culture of kindness among children—teaching them from a young age that

“just because someone is different from you or may not be able to communicate the same way you do, doesn’t mean that you cannot find ways to connect.”

Aside from friendship, the theme of connection is strong throughout The Brain of a Legend. Intending to use the book as a tool for initiating conversation, Amanda often turns the story back to the readers within the narrative, inviting them to discuss what makes them different and to ask their own questions, ultimately creating an open dialogue so that children feel comfortable to engage with each other.

“I’m excited for people to begin starting a conversation with young kids about autism,” Amanda shares. “I have a story that other people may relate to, and I’ve already had so many people reach out to me to share their autism journey and to tell me how excited they were to read the book to their families.”

The Brain of a Legend aims to cultivate kindness and create a community centered around connections and support, encouraging everyone from our youngest members to our oldest to explore what makes us different and to celebrate it as what makes us special. It can be found on Amazon and through other major book retailers.

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