About 1 in 68 children has been identified as being on the autism spectrum.
Despite the large number of children impacted by autism, San Diego County resident Sally Pla said there is not enough children's literature that features kids whose brains operate a bit differently.
She has made it her mission to change that.
"If we can teach kids and reach kids through stories, if they can see themselves reflected in stories. It's just a wonderful thing to teach them tolerance and understanding and acceptance a little bit more," Pla said. "We all have different ways of approaching the world and that's OK, we can learn about all those ways, and they all come within the realm of human behavior because autistic behavior is human behavior."
In her books, "Stanley Will Probably Be Fine" and "The Someday Birds," both main characters are on the autism spectrum.
"I didn't want to make it be about the autism. These are just kids having adventures and going through crazy storylines and things are happening and you know, yeah, their brains operate a little bit differently and that's worked into the story, but you know what? It's not about that, it's about adventure and learning to feel a little more at ease in the world," Pla said.
In "Stanley Will Probably Be Fine," the main character, a kid who is often fearful and anxious, challenges himself to overcome those feelings by participating in a trivia quest in downtown San Diego.
Pla has personal experience with autism as both she and her son are on the spectrum.
Pla will be at an event Thursday at the Mysterious Galaxy bookstore to talk about the book. She will also be speaking at Comickaze Comics Books and More at Liberty Station on Saturday.
