By Jen Malia
Author Jen Malia with her family
April is Autism Acceptance Month. My younger daughter and I were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on the same day. I was 39, and she was 2. Then, my son was diagnosed with ASD a year later when he was 2 and my older daughter when she was 7.
My autism diagnosis as an adult was life-changing in a good way. I finally understood what I always knew on some level growing up but didn’t understand—that my experiences and perceptions of the world were different than my peers. I was neurodivergent. It wasn’t until I had kids who also have different brains like me that I came to this realization. I hope my essays and books will help others recognize their neurodivergence sooner. My whole family of five is neurodivergent. We have different combinations of ASD, ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, and dysgraphia.
I have written extensively about my personal journey on the autism spectrum, including over a dozen articles for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, the Washington Post, New York Magazine, Woman’s Day, Glamour, and Self. My website has links to these articles, which I hope will raise awareness and acceptance of autism.
About one in 36 children are diagnosed with ASD, according to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Only one girl is diagnosed with ASD for every four boys. Girls are often overlooked for an autism diagnosis or are misdiagnosed because they don’t always fit stereotypes many have about autism, such as showing poor eye contact and having difficulty with social skills.
Writing about my personal journey on the autism spectrum led to an opportunity to write my debut children’s picture book. Too Sticky! Sensory Issues with Autism was published in 2020 by Albert Whitman. It’s the story of an autistic girl who has to find a way to cope with her fear of sticky hands to participate in a slime experiment at school.
I wrote the book I didn’t know I needed, but I wish I had, growing up as an undiagnosed autistic girl. I especially wanted my autistic kids and others like them to be able to see themselves in a book. Too Sticky! is not so much a book about autism as it is a book about a girl who happens to be autistic going about her everyday life. My main character, Holly, just does things a little differently. Her story is based on my own and my kids’ experiences with autism and sensory differences. It was hard for me to have sticky hands as a child. And it’s still hard for me as an adult.
My forthcoming chapter book series The Infinity Rainbow Club is set in an after-school club with different neurodivergent fourth graders in the lead for each book. I wrote this series especially for neurodivergent kids. The one in five who are diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other brain differences. I also hope that their neurotypical peers will gain a better understanding of neurodivergence when reading these books that draw on my own and my kids’ experiences.
For this book series, I wanted to create a club where neurodivergent kids could interact and develop social relationships without the pressures that exist with neurotypical peers. The Infinity Rainbow Club is a place where stims and different communication styles are not only accepted but celebrated.
The first two books in my chapter book series, The Infinity Rainbow Club, will be out in September and October of this year. But you can preorder the books today!
Nick and the Brick Builder Challenge
Book 1 (The Infinity Rainbow Club)
Coming September 26, 2023, from Beaming Books
When the Infinity Rainbow Club at school competes in a brick builder challenge, Nick can’t wait to participate. Until he learns he must have a partner—the new girl. Nick wants to work alone. But to win, he’ll have to figure out how to be part of a team. A story about the universal struggle of learning to work together on a team, told from the perspective of an autistic child.
Violet and the Jurassic Land Exhibit
Book 2 (The Infinity Rainbow Club)
Coming October 24, 2023, from Beaming Books
The Infinity Rainbow Club is volunteering at the local natural history museum where Violet’s parents work. Violet loves setting up the new augmented reality exhibit, but she worries that something will go wrong. Her OCD has her repeatedly checking for errors. Can Violet find a way to trust her work and enjoy the exhibit?
TOO STICKY! Sensory Issues with Autism
Published April 2020 by Albert Whitman
Holly loves doing experiments and learning new things in science class! But when she finds out the next experiment is making slime, she's worried. Slime is made with glue, and glue is sticky. Holly has sensory issues because of her autism and doesn't like anything sticky! With help from family and her teacher, Holly receives the accommodations and encouragement she needs to give slime a try.
An autistic mom of three autistic kids, Jen Malia is the author of the children’s chapter book series The Infinity Rainbow Club and the picture book Too Sticky! Sensory Issues with Autism. She is Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing Coordinator at Norfolk State University. She has written for or appeared on The New York Times, the Washington Post, New York Magazine, NPR, Parents, Glamour, Woman’s Day, and others. She has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Southern California. She is pursuing an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from Pittsburgh, she currently lives with her family in Virginia Beach. Connect with Jen through her website, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.