A Different Sort of Normal

A real-life completely true story about being unique

Abigail Balfe, Abigail Balfe

$24.99

Paperback

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QTY:

English

Puffin
20 July 2021

Children's & Educational; Personal & social issues: body & health (Children's&YA); Personal & social issues: disability & special needs (Children's&YA); Personal & social issues: self-awareness & self-esteem (Children's&YA)

The beautiful, and beautifully illustrated, true story of one girl's journey growing up autistic, and the challenges of navigating the 'normal' world around her

I'm not like the other children in my class . . . and that's an actual scientific FACT.

Hi! My name is Abigail and I'm autistic.

But when I was a child I didn't know I was autistic. In fact - it wasn't until I was in my thirties that I discovered my neurodivergence and my life finally started to make sense.

This book follows my journey of self discovery from childhood through adulthood, as I attempt to navigate the confusing world around me - a world predominantly built for neurotypical brains.

In this book you'll find-

VERY IMPORTANT FACTS about neurodiversity, neurodivergence, autistic traits, autism and gender, sensory sensitivities, social communication, emotions, friendships, bullying, sensory overload, meltdowns, family, school, special interests, masking, puberty AND MORE

VERY PERSONAL STORIES involving toilets, cats, poo, swimming pools, my ridiculous family, my slightly unusual way of trying to make friends, falling up the French stairs wearing a skirt, getting locked in a cinema overnight and MORE embarrassing (and often hilarious) moments like these...

PLUS TIPS for supporting the neurodivergent people in your life, advocating for your own needs as a neurodivergent person, and learning to embrace what makes you different.

It's for children. It's for adults. It's for neurodivergent people. It's for neurotypical people. It's for parents, carers, siblings, teachers, librarians, psychiatrists, doctors, nurses - and everyone else too.

Basically - it's for you.

EXTRA IMPORTANT AND LITTLE KNOWN FACT- A Different Sort of Normal is also indirectly a story about growing up as an auDHD person - because nearly a year after this book was published I received my ADHD diagnosis

By: Abigail Balfe
Illustrated by: Abigail Balfe
Imprint: Puffin
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 230mm, Width: 154mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 438g
ISBN: 9780241508794
ISBN 10: 0241508797
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 20 July 2021
Recommended Age: From 8 to 15 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Abigail is a London-based writer, illustrator and creative producer. Original storytelling has always been at the heart of Abigail's career and she has spent a decade leading social media campaigns for some of the biggest TV & entertainment clients in the world. Abigail also used to perform stand-up comedy and won several tiny trophies for her onstage humour; which involved life-size illustrations, ridiculous songs and rambling stories about her family.

Reviews for A Different Sort of Normal: A real-life completely true story about being unique

'This book is what I needed as a kid! Empathetic, joyful and beautifully authentic. I loved it!' * Elle McNicoll, author of A Kind of Spark * Funny, poignant and wise, with a rich seams of understanding and empathy . . . one of the best children's non-fiction books I've read in long time * The Bookseller *