After many years of research and working with autism, I sat down to outline my knowledge in order to create presentations for elementary school children as a means to increase autism awareness. I wanted to create a discussion-oriented forum to introduce autism to typical children and explain some of the behaviors and challenges kids with autism face daily. In sitting down to create this outline, I found my fingers typing away and when I was finished, I sat back and thought, “This isn’t just a presentation, this is a children’s book.” My character, Chelsea, immediately came to life and wouldn’t be limited to simply being part of a lecture. Within weeks she “led” me to AAPC which became the perfect catalyst to present her life to young people all over the world. I hope that I can properly represent this fictional character created from a rainbow of students with whom I have worked…who just so happen to have severe autism.

 When we look at life from a different angle, we can learn a lot.

Juxtaposing the words “Autism” and “Friend” imparts an intriguing thought inasmuch as it has often been believed that those two don’t often attract each other in an autistic person’s world. Chelsea teaches us that through sensitivity and a desire to learn we can create a path toward building a friendship with any child or adult with special needs. Joanna Keating-Velasco has written a praiseworthy primer on how to begin to understand the autistic child. It should be required reading in all schools -- elementary, middle and high school.

Betty Escobosa,
Trustee, Placentia Library District
Grandmother of Ryan, an autistic 8yr. old boy