publication for first book on autism & the senses

Hello, my name is Belle Berroyer. I need assistance to help fund my first book into complete publication.

I am thrilled to have received a book deal from a London publishing company called 'Austin Macauley' - the agreement combines both parties in funding the publication process.

The focus of this book is to help me raise funds to buy a living assistance house for my autistic son. He is coming to age next year and will always need live-in 24-hour support.

Through the life-changing loss of his father in 2020, I realised I need to find ways to raise funds to enable me to purchase a house that Jeorge can live in with support as he enters into adult life, independent of me.

I feel passionate about my debut book and its content and intentions. It has been a long-time ambition of mine to write books, which was boosted when Jerome (Jeorge's beloved dad died)

The book's subject is an introduction to autism and my concept of learning a language of autism through the body's sensory systems.

With my professional background in Early Years development since 1998, combined with Jeorge and the sensory challenges of my own, I create a guide to how each sense can impact an autistic person's life.

Each chapter is dedicated to one of the eight senses and the Executive Functioning process that outlines the possible challenges an autistic person may experience from birth to adulthood.

This practical book contains examples and solutions from topics of outside environments, toys and other play interactions, food and communications.

The working title is 'Learning the language of autism' (through the senses) 

 

I have learned much in the last 17 years with my non-speaking autistic son.

Along with my sensory and executive functioning difficulties, we have created a home life that gives us an environment where we can both thrive. This has extended to school life and personal support with the many assessments he has encountered for the proper support.

I hope my book can help parents/carers do the same for their autistic children for the rest of their lives. Below I have outlined what I believe are the benefits of reading my book:

Living life through the lens of over or underactive sensory systems can look very different to those who do not. Because of this, expressing those differences as they filter through the body and the brain can create behaviours that are sometimes difficult to understand for the observer, the carer, teacher, parent, and Psychologist, mainly if they are neurotypical.

A bridge of clearer understanding can unfold when an observer's perspectives are shifted through observation rather than a step-in and mould attitude. 

Parents/carers of young autistic children, who may have struggled to find a way to understand their child's behaviours, can begin to see what is causing them, thus forming connected relationships.

What becomes clear is the child's communication language instead of seeing a difficult-to-understand behaviour.

Professional sectors can support autistic people of all ages in a way that holds the person needing support in the centre. For example, when adapting to my concept of early intervention of observing, it is easy to see that the autistic child/adult is the teacher.

By learning how the senses can affect a person's behaviours and the processing of the world around them, the proper support for the individual can be given.

Autistic children grow into autistic adults - as they begin their lives of adventure, it can be filled with fun, play and positive experiences.

Families can build memories together that are joyful instead of unknown behaviours and constant wondering if there is ever a way of understanding their child and their needs.

Learning any language takes time, patience and practice. At first, they seem daunting, sometimes seeming impossible to know, yet once we commit and immerse ourselves into the fullness of that language, we begin to understand it. We learn the dialect, the sounds, the meanings - the context and full richness of that once impossible to fathom language become second nature - communicating becomes fun and easy. You wonder how you could not have learnt it, for it has greatly enriched your life.  

The fundamental essence of my book is to celebrate and accept the differences in all neurotypes rather than suppress one's behaviours in place of another's ideal.

The wonder of life here on earth is that we are all unique and different - no two are the same, whatever our neurotype is. So while we can accept an autistic person's individuality - unconditionally, we, in turn, can accept ourselves.

In my 52 years on this planet, I know it is true that we all want the same thing - and that is to be seen as we are and not as someone else wants or expects us to be. 

My book offers insights into sensory systems with practical ideas and solutions that can ease an autistic person's everyday experience at Nursery, School, home and whomever they are with.

I invite the reader to look at their personal sensory needs and why they may like a specific smell or dislike another (for example). How do they feel when a scent they do not like is overexposed to them? Perhaps a particular sound or material is unbearable to them. What feelings and behaviours does that conjure up? 

From there, I help the reader build a basic (but effective) understanding of how the sensory systems can feel for their autistic child or adult. This little insight and experience make learning about that person's autism easier.

This enables the autistic child to be supported by their nearest and dearest. Making them powerful advocates for those who need it throughout their school, work and everyday lives.

The old saying goes - it takes a village to raise a child - I believe this to be still true today, it may look different to many years ago when we all lived in smaller communities, but I see different types of villages. Social media is a powerful village platform. Schools are mini villages, as are works-places, colleges and universities. 

Our children are raised by many people who come into their lives in one way or another. The positive impact of that depends on how the adults around them listen to them and support and advocate for them.

Lastly, my book is an empowerment tool for parents and carers who do the hard work of advocating. My book helps to understand their children's needs from the sensory perspective.

I want to offer some gifts in return for your kind donations of support to my fundraiser:

For donations of £50 or over you will receive : 1-hour consultation, (you can pass this on to someone as a gift if you choose - www.dazlious.org)

a paperback copy of my book and an invite to my launch party via your email address

For donations of £35, 30-minute consultation on any support via the services I offer regarding autism, an acknowledgement of thanks in my book and an invite to my launch party via your email address

For donations of £25, an e-copy of my book, an invite to my launch party via your email address, and an acknowledgement of thanks in my book

For donations of £15, you will be acknowledged with thanks in my book and receive an invite to my launch party (you will be informed via your email address)

For donations of £10 and below, you will receive an invite to my launch party (you will be informed of the location and date via your email address when the book is in completion)

Here is the feedback letter from the publishers - 

22nd April 2022

Dear Ms. Berroyer,

RE: 'For learning the language of autism (through the senses) (working title)'

Your manuscript was brought to our attention at the latest Editorial Board meeting when we discussed the potential of its publication. Having read all the reports and taken note of the Editors’ opinions, we can confidently state that your submission was found to be an informative and eye-opening read. The Board was keen to comment on your ability to shed light on an under-explored topic and help break down the barriers between neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. Your analysis of the history and facts expertly interspersed with details of your knowledge and experiences makes your work a 

compelling and attractive read. The in-depth assessment of the senses was highlighted as being particularly insightful. The well-thought-out nature of the manuscript and the assured writing style make this essay one that will intrigue and fascinate the target audience. Ultimately, the work is felt to be of ambitious scope, providing excellent insight into the topic with a potential place in the market. It is worth noting that as your work is based on fact; permission will need to be obtained from any persons mentioned in the book if there 

legal or familiar names are used. Alternatively, you may wish to change the names instead.

Since then, we have held a separate meeting with our Marketing team to explore the possibilities regarding 

sales and target audiences. There were certain reservations put forward concerning the fact that this would be the work of a new author and would be of some risk to us as your publishers. To this end, we are not able to offer you a non-contributory contract.

We do, however, very much feel your work deserves to be published and given the opportunity to be launched for the reading public. We would like to offer you a contributory contract, thereby creating a 

partnership. The amount requested is a partial sum towards the considerable costs involved in publishing and then marketing the book, with its vital media coverage. This indicates that we are also invested in your book and that it is in our shared interest to endeavour towards its success.

We have pleasure in enclosing a contract for you to view and sign should you so wish.