A Chameleon Tale

<p class=ql-align-center></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong>CLEVER AND INTERESTING. - Chronicle Books | ENGAGING. - Little Brown | CHARMING. - Running Press | THE SUBJECT IS WORTHY. -MacMillan | I WILL DEFINITELY PURCHASE THIS FOR MANY PEOPLE.- Ten Speed Plus | SUPER SWEET. - Viking</strong></p><p></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>At any moment in time we are taking in information about our world through our eyes ears nose mouth skin and joints. This sensory processing is how we experience our world and is unique to each person. Our job as parents caregivers and adults in influential roles is not only to take notice of our own sensory systems but to help children do the same. The goal of this manuscript is to bring awareness to this topic and supply tools for discussion. We the authors in a real-life OT session realized the need for this book when Sarah didn't have a children's book to recommend for Jackie's child. Jackie had already completed two children's books and said Well let's create what we need! </strong></p><p></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>A Chameleon Tale uses the changing color of the chameleons' skin differing facial expressions and a variety of actions to illustrate how a sensory threshold can influence individual alertness. Likewise as humans our bodies expressions and actions also reflect specific levels of alertness. This text accompanied by the demonstrative changing colors of skin prompts children to recognize that this fluctuation is normal. Further it helps communicate that there are tools to help when feelings (derived by our sensory inputs) impact their success in what they need and want to do. The book's characters our chameleon family will journey outside of their familiar environment something we ask our kids to do most days of the year. Notice how this seemingly simple task affects each chameleon differently. </strong></p><p></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The more experts (like co-author Sarah Collins MSOT OTR/L) learn about neurodiversity and the brain / body response to environmental stimuli the greater they are realizing people process and integrate sensory stimuli differently. Through this story the readers will gain a better understanding of their own brain / body connection and honor their unique responses while simultaneously empathizing with other's responses in the same environmental situations. Though every child and caregiver combo will benefit from communicating about their sensory needs this book will be especially helpful for the neurodivergent community and their families. Use this book as a starting point for conversation with the children in your life.</strong></p><p></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Font: Avenir (visual scanning and dyslexia-friendly)</strong></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Age Group Suggestion: 6-11 years</strong></p>