Autism now affects 1 in 36 children, according to the National Autism Association, impacting many children across the country. Autism affects the brain’s development, which can cause difficulties with communication skills, social interaction, and cognitive functions. This means students with autism may have a harder time interacting with their peers or activities that involve play. The children’s book “Autism: A New Friend” explores autism in children and gives a better understanding for other kids on how to be more accepting.
Evelyne Perez is a local children’s author who’s come onto the scene with a story that teaches children to be more inclusive to those who may be different from them. Perez has been working in special education for two decades in El Paso. She said throughout her time working with disabled students, she noticed the gap between her autistic students and their peers.
“I would say to myself, ‘I want to write a book about this. Teach children about autism. I’m going to show them that to know them is to love them.’ And so, every time I saw that at work, it just pushed me to get this message further out,” Perez said.
Perez shared this motivation was what pushed her to begin writing and relayed what she hopes children will get out of this book.
“I am trying to involve children in our conversations about awareness, about diversity and about inclusion,” Perez said. “I just feel it’s really important to involve children in these conversations just so that they could be aware that it’s okay to be different.”
Perez’s sister, Brenda Rios, is a teacher at Special Rafael Hernando III Middle School. She shared her excitement for the book as someone who works in education.
“As an educator, I see that there is a need for compassion and understanding of autism from the community as a whole,” Rios said. “It excites me that Evelyne has taken what she has learned about students with autism and has shared it with us all. Her perspective not only includes information about autism, but it also includes a point of view that comes from a compassionate heart.”
Rios read her students the book and shared what they thought of the story. She talked about how excited she was hearing their insights.
“I already shared the book with faculty and students. I am proud to share that they loved it!” Rios exclaimed. “I had students feel brave enough to share their experiences and perspectives on autism. There was a new level of understanding, and it made me so proud.”
She said her students may be older and seen as tough pre-teens, but they listened intentionally to the book’s theme and cultivated a deeper awareness of autism.
“This book was a welcome treat for them. More importantly, they gained an important understanding of autism,” she explained. “We engage them deeper by having them share their thoughts and questions. They are eager to learn more about autism.”
Rios stated she would recommend this children’s book to elementary school teachers because of how it would benefit younger students.
“What a beautiful thing it would be if the students gained an understanding of autism at their tender age. It would make the school experience for an autism student a bit more positive,” Rios said. “We would be shaping minds and hearts to understand people with autism and the bonds that could be created based on understanding and compassion would be born.”
Marissa Page, a junior majoring in secondary education at New Mexico State University, thought that a children’s book like this would open conversations amongst kids and give them a better understanding of those around them.
“I believe this message is very important, as understanding others leads to empathy. When we learn to love and accept others, it gives everyone a chance to be themselves,” Page said. “[We should be] creating space for conversations that should be had on a more day- to- day basis, especially with our peers who are on the spectrum.”
Page said she would recommend this story to her peers, teachers, and parents, and why this story is important for everyone to hear.
“Receiving a different perspective on thinking is how we grow as a society, and can help future teachers know what fits one child’s needs might not fit others,” Page said.
Perez spoke about an experience she had when a parent approached her about her book and what it meant to her.
“A mom was telling me that her son was reading the book, and he was like, ‘Hey mom, that’s what I do, that’s just like me’, and it just made my heart happy because this is representation for them. It is amazing that they get to feel that way, getting to see themselves in media,” Perez said.
She explained that writing a book is something she has always thought about doing, and this time it just felt right.
“I’ve always had a passion for literature, especially children’s literature. I feel like children’s literature can make such a difference within our children and so I have such a big collection of children’s books,” Perez said. “I’ve always dreamed of doing it [writing a book]. I’ve always said that I wanted to write but I never took the time to pause life and just do it till I had my moment when writing my first that I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to do it now. I am going to stick with this’.”
Evelyne Perez’s “Autism: A New Friend” can be found at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
