Just Like You

Just Like You was written to spread awareness on children with various disabilities in minority communities; this book is about a little girl named Mariah, who is on the Autism Spectrum and is nonverbal. She desires to be included by her peers. Most children with severe special needs in exceptional classes are typically not interactive with other students. Many special-needs children do not have friendships outside of their family and are not invited to many events such as birthday parties by peers. Mariah displays the joy of being included and noticed by her peer in this book. Just Like You was written to inform children that although their peers may be different, inside, they are Just Like You.

This book is about a 9-year-old girl with Autism and how she explores the world. It highlights her understanding that many children her age and within her ethnic group are not accepting of her differences. They appear to be unable to understand and cope with her being 'different.' This story sheds light on an inside look at the spectrum and encourages other children to be more accepting and inclusive of children who are different but not less.