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ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Australian picture books aim to give neurodivergent kids a better sense of self
"Mumma, what kind of brain do I have?" My five-year old daughter, days after a final appointment for her autism assessment, wanted to know the results. Her dad and I sat her down to tell her that she is autistic with ADHD — or, magic brained, as we also call it in this house. Everyone reading this will know at least one neurodivergent person, even if that individual isn't aware that their atypical ways of being and challenges in life meet the criteria for a medical diagnosis. Around 5.5 million Australians live with disability, and it is estimated that neurodivergent folks make up between 15 and 20 per cent of Australia's population. There is a lot of information on offer when your child is assessed for a neurodevelopmental disorder, but very little of it deals with how to help your child develop a positive identity and sense of self. US Secretary of Health RFK Junior has told the world that "autism destroys families" and "is an individual tragedy". Our family ignored Kennedy's harmful words. We marked our daughter's diagnosis with a cake, as is customary in autistic culture. But what can neurodivergent parents like me do to help our kids develop a healthy self-image? And how can their peers be encouraged to meet these differences with curiosity? For younger children, experts say picture books about being neurodivergent can help develop a better understanding of their identity and a more positive sense of self. All Brains Are Different, written and published by autism charity the Yellow Ladybugs, is the latest in a series of Australian picture books about neurodivergence. Other recent children's titles on the topic include Bernie Thinks in Boxes by Jess Horn, The Rainbow Brain by Sandhya Menon and Love Me, Love My ADHD by Chrissie Davies. The real power of picture books about neurodivergence is when they are read by neurotypical children who directly learn and engage with difference via reading, according to clinical psychologist Professor Adam Guastella. "If picture books can increase education to children about what it means to have different brains, it encourages a more inclusive and accepting schoolyard," he says. What often complicates the development of a positive sense of self for neurodivergent children is that, in order to obtain support through school, focus is often on a child's deficits. "And these systems that are set up are constantly asking us to tell them what our kids can't do and so we get into a system where we are constantly emphasising their needs, the problems, the things they can't do, as a way to get support," Professor Guastella says. His work includes developing assessments for neurodevelopmental conditions like autism to include looking at a child's strengths as well as their diagnosis. "There's no reason why we shouldn't have a narrative that includes both and is also truly reflective of the reality of the situation for each child. "But we have got into a habit, and it's a habit that's been generated by the systems of constantly focusing on the deficits," he said. Yellow Ladybugs CEO Katie Koullas, who is one of the authors of All Brains Are Different, says she hopes neurodivergent children and their families feel seen on the pages of her book, which she believes can help neutralise the current polarising public discussions around neurodivergence. "We're trying to change that script and say, 'Actually, there's a world that we can create that will celebrate all difference.' We shouldn't be subscribing to this fear that other people are pushing. "If we can get in early to the younger generation before these kind of really outdated and backward and dinosaur approaches are learnt, then we can change the narrative," she said. Representation is crucial to fostering empathy and understanding, according to Gumbaynggirr woman Dr Lilly Brown who is CEO of the Indigenous publishing house Magabala. She said, for Indigenous Australians, "So much of the negative and inaccurate representation is really based on the dehumanisation of First Nations people. "I'm sure a lot of neurodivergent folks understand this as well." Dr Brown says that while her publishing house doesn't currently publish a picture book on neurodivergence, it's only a matter of time as younger Indigenous folks who are interested in intersectionality and creating cultural works come to the fore. "I talk to educators about this and, if you can create something that's going to be accessible to a First Nations neurodivergent person, then that resource or book or whatever is going to be accessible to everyone," she says. Picture books often mirror society and, for families, reading them is a way to accept and acknowledge a diagnosis, according to Jo Pentony, Victorian president of the Children's Book Council of Australia. The picture books and titles for young adults bring "what was once hidden out into the open", Ms Pentony says. "The picture book, just like the conversation, does mean the more it's talked about, the more it's normalised," she says. Books about neurodivergent folks written by Australians are particularly important for young readers who can see themselves represented in familiar settings. "But if we're seeing ourselves in those stories, it's easy to see ourselves in our own environments as well, which tends to be what an Australian author and illustrator brings to their work," Pentony says. My daughter now reaches for these Australian picture books at the end of a hard day. And the stories show her that there are others who understand how she feels.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Kamala Harris is slammed for ' worst Fourth of July post ever' as she takes brutal swipe at Biden
Kamala Harris has been derided over her gloomy Fourth of July message with eagle-eyed viewers spotting a swipe at her former running mate Joe Biden. Harris, 60, took to X to share a downbeat message about the state of the country for the national holiday. 'This Fourth of July, I am taking a moment to reflect. Things are hard right now. They are probably going to get worse before they get better,' Harris posted Friday on X. 'But I love our country - and when you love something, you fight for it. Together, we will continue to fight for the ideals of our nation.' The former presidential hopeful used a recycled photograph to mark the occasion. The image showed Harris and then-second gentleman Doug Emhoff watching fireworks during last year's Independence Day celebration, his arms around her in an intimate embrace. But social media users quickly pointed out that the photo was tightly cropped to exclude Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden. 'Kamala cropping Joe out is very symbolic,' Link Lauren, a former senior adviser to RFK Jr.'s campaign, as he shared the original photo on X showing the first couple standing right next to them on the White House balcony. 'It's almost disgraceful. She should've honored that position and did the best that she could. She failed miserably,' pointed out another user. 'Wow, how classy,' another sneered sarcastically. 'At least take his arm out of the shot when you crop it,' one user jeered, pointing to the apparent Photoshop fail where Harris had failed to entirely crop out Biden leaving part of his arm visible. Others tore into the former Vice President and 2024 presidential hopeful over the bleak messaging. 'I scrolled until my fingers were bleeding to try and find a single comment in this thread that supported you. I was unable to do so. Maybe its time to retire,' quipped one user. 'I'm taking a moment to reflect on how much worse things would have been if you'd won,' said another. 'Here you are trashing the people who fought for this nation and won its independence. You are anti-American garbage,' one user raged. 'What you really mean, is it things are hard for you! Things are actually getting better in our country thanks to you not being involved in it! Have a nice day,' another called out. In the face of overwhelming hate, her supporters largely overlooked the cropped photo, instead expressing disappointment that she didn't win the presidency. 'You should've been president,' wrote popular X influencer @buffys, who boasts nearly 350,000 followers. 'She should've won. It's so sad these people voted for this man karma is real and his voters will be affected,' grieved another. Since her sweeping loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 election - after all seven swing states broke for the GOP following Biden's exit from the race - Kamala Harris has made few public appearances. One of her rare outings came in April, when she gave a pointed speech at a San Francisco gala for Emerge, a Democratic group that backs female candidates. Without naming Trump, Harris criticized his administration's handling of the economy and immigration, in remarks that some viewed as a political trial balloon. Kamala Harris made history in 2024 as the second woman - and first woman of color - to top a major party presidential ticket. But a new poll reveals what voters believe ultimately cost her the election. An exclusive survey conducted by J.L. Partners for asked over 1,000 voters to describe, in a few words, why they think Harris lost to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race. The poll, carried out between November 29 and December 1, found the economy dominated responses across the board - citing inflation, rising prices, and financial anxiety as top reasons for Trump's win. But among Harris's own supporters, one word came up more than any other: woman. In April, Harris resurfaced at a Democratic gala in San Francisco, where she took veiled swipes at Trump's economic and immigration record without naming him directly (Biden and Harris on stage at the DNC winter meeting in Philadelphia, Feb. 3, 2023) Many blamed her defeat on sexism, claiming the country still isn't ready to elect a female president, a sentiment that mirrors Hillary Clinton's 2016 loss. Some Harris voters also pointed to racism, Trump's 'lies,' and even blamed the American electorate itself, calling voters 'stupid'. Others noted the challenge Harris faced with limited time. After Biden bowed out of the race in July, Harris had just 107 days to mount a national campaign. Biden's name also appeared frequently in the responses, suggesting lingering frustrations with the outgoing president weighed on Harris's chances. When it came to Trump voters, their answers were more varied. Some pointed to his experience, policies, and strength on the economy. Words like 'tired,' 'inflation,' and 'woman' appeared - but far less frequently than among Harris supporters. More cutting responses included 'incompetent' and 'idiot,' as some Trump backers took direct aim at Harris's leadership ability and qualifications.
