It Is Okay to Be Me
My brain notices patterns and details that other people sometimes miss. I can focus deeply on the things that matter to me for a very long time. These are real strengths that come with how my autistic brain works.
Illustrations still show Sammy.
One-time per story. Takes about 2 minutes.
● Reading...
Sammy's bedroom
It Is Okay to Be Me
My brain notices things. I can focus for a long time. My autistic brain has real strengths.
page-1 ● Reading...
school hallway
It Is Okay to Be Me
At school, the hallways are noisy and the schedule sometimes changes without warning. In these moments, I sometimes wait quietly, trying to understand what is happening around me. I notice that I am working very hard to act the way others seem to expect.
At 
school, the hallways are noisy and the schedule sometimes changes without warning. In these moments, I sometimes 
wait quietly, trying to understand what is happening around me. I notice that I am working very hard to act the way others seem to expect.
school, the hallways are noisy and the schedule sometimes changes without warning. In these moments, I sometimes wait quietly, trying to understand what is happening around me. I notice that I am working very hard to act the way others seem to expect. It Is Okay to Be Me
School can be noisy. Sometimes plans change. I wait and try to understand. I work hard to act like others expect.
school wait ● Reading...
home living room
It Is Okay to Be Me
Scientists call it neurodiversity — the natural range of ways human brains are built and work. Autistic brains are a real and natural part of that range. The challenges I face are genuinely hard, and they deserve to be taken seriously. It is okay to ask an adult for support when something feels too hard.
Scientists call it neurodiversity — the natural range of ways human brains are built and work. Autistic brains are a real and natural part of that range. The challenges I face are genuinely hard, and they deserve to be taken seriously. It is okay to ask an adult for support when something feels too hard.
It Is Okay to Be Me
All brains work differently. This is called neurodiversity. My autistic brain is one kind of brain. My challenges are real. It is okay to ask for help.
adult ● Reading...
classroom during a lesson
It Is Okay to Be Me
Sometimes I wait before turning to join a conversation, because I am still processing what was said. This is sometimes called masking — working to appear different from how I actually feel. Masking uses a lot of energy and can make me very tired over time. Recognising that I am masking is a helpful thing to notice.
Sometimes I wait before turning to join a conversation, because I am still processing what was said. This is sometimes called masking — working to appear different from how I actually feel. Masking uses a lot of energy and can make me very tired over time. Recognising that I am masking is a helpful thing to notice.
wait before turning to join a conversation, because I am still processing what was said. This is sometimes called masking — working to appear different from how I actually feel. Masking uses a lot of energy and can make me very tired over time. Recognising that I am masking is a helpful thing to notice. It Is Okay to Be Me
Sometimes I wait before I talk. I try to seem different from how I feel. This is called masking. Masking is tiring. Noticing masking helps.
wait calm ● Reading...
classroom with teacher present
It Is Okay to Be Me
My teacher knows that I sometimes raise my hand to ask for more time before answering. The adults who support me are part of how I navigate difficult moments at school. Being autistic means the world sometimes asks more of me than it asks of others. I can try to turn toward a trusted person when masking starts to feel like too much.
My teacher knows that I sometimes raise my hand to ask for more time before answering. The adults who support me are part of how I navigate difficult moments at school. Being autistic means the world sometimes asks more of me than it asks of others. I can try to turn toward a trusted person when masking starts to feel like too much.
adults who support me are part of how I navigate difficult moments at school. Being autistic means the world sometimes asks more of me than it asks of others. I can try to turn toward a trusted person when masking starts to feel like too much. It Is Okay to Be Me
I raise my hand to ask for more time. Adults help me at school. Being autistic can be hard work. I can try to turn to someone I trust when I feel tired.
adult 
question ● Reading...
Sammy's favourite space at home
It Is Okay to Be Me
Being autistic is part of my story and shapes how I think and what I care about. I am still learning what that means for me, and I am not alone in that. The people who accept me see who I actually am. I can ask for what I need, and that is a real strength.
Being autistic is part of my story and shapes how I think and what I care about. I am still learning what that means for me, and I am not alone in that. The people who accept me see who I actually am. I can ask for what I need, and that is a real strength.
It Is Okay to Be Me
Being autistic is part of my story. I am still learning. I am not alone. People who accept me see the real me. I can ask for what I need.
adult Let's take a breath
Breathe in...
Take a moment. You can take some slow, deep breaths when you feel ready.
