My Body My Brain: Why I wrote a picture book on neurodiversity

Picture book entitled My Body My Brain by Nicki Esler Gill and Inge Daniels, with a purple cover and diverse images of happy children.

My Body My Brain is an introduction to neurodiversity, and a celebration of the many and varied strengths of every child. Given that this is the case, I should probably lead with a proviso: I am not a psychologist, or a doctor, or an occupational therapist, or any professional with an expertise in neurodiversity. Rather, I a neurodivergent woman. I am a mother to neurodivergent children. And I wrote this book, with my heart on my sleeve, out of the context of our own family experience.

As an author, the privilege of speaking into little lives on this topic honestly blows my mind.

I dearly hope that neurodivergent children will recognise themselves in the book, and know they’re not alone. That they’ll know they are precious, worthy of love and respect. 

I hope that neurotypical children will recognise themselves also. That they’ll recognise their siblings, friends, and classmates. I hope that teachers will recognise the children they teach. That parents might remember how they were, long ago, and perhaps even gain some new understanding into their own mysterious offspring. And out of all this, I hope that empathy with grow.  

I also hope the book can illuminate some of the different ways children experience the world, and affirm that this is ok! Difference is ok! Oftentimes, it may pose challenges. And oftentimes, also, it is good and right and wonderful. I don’t for a minute wish to minimise the difficulties faced by many neurodivergent children. What I would say is this: they have just as much to offer to the world as their neurotypical siblings, classmates and friends. Indeed, often enough the beauty and brilliance of what they contribute flows directly from that very difference we are talking about. 

The messages contained in this book are communicated in much the way I would talk about these matters with my own kids. And I am honoured beyond words to be allowed into your homes, and kindergartens, and schools, to communicate with your children also. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.