'I write books I wish I had as autistic child'

An author who writes children's books about neurodiversity said she would have loved to have read those types of stories as an autistic girl.

Lin Fidgin's story about a Labrador with autism draws upon her own lived experience of feeling "out of sync with the world" and having sensory differences, comfort in repetition and routine, and struggling in social situations.

Fidgin, from Hartlepool, said she did not want to others to feel "broken or excluded" as she gave copies to Teesside schools, libraries, autism services and the children's ward at the University Hospital of North Tees.

The 56-year-old said "life was just difficult and painful emotionally" as a girl.

She said she wanted to help others "growing up who feel different understand themselves and their peers gain understanding".

Fidgin, who grew up in Scotland, said: "I wanted to write the books I wish I had as a child.

"Nobody sees the internal difficulties in busy classrooms, or the rigid repetitive behaviours you might have at home or in private.

"I hid my sensitivity to dirt from the playground or from food on my hands by rubbing it on my socks or vest... I'd get home from school and my clothes would look clean till my mum undressed me.

Fidgin, who works as a nurse at the University Hospital of North Tees, said she "never related with her peers and always felt like an outsider".

The nurse said she was inspired to give neurodivergent children a "mirror" to understand themselves.

Her book, called Bess of Clara Vale, is the first of a series of seven books Fidgin has planned, each focusing on neurodiversity, friendship and belonging.

Fidgin continued: "If I can help make education about autism and neurodiversity accessible to those who need it most, then it can only be a good thing.

"I want to make a difference," she added.

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