The Girl Who Didn’t Know How To Be – A picture book about autism and neurodiversity

London, UK – The Girl Who Didn’t Know How To Be – is a soon to be self-published picture book on the topic of autism and neurodiversity. The illustrator and creator behind the project, Milda, is an individual on the autism spectrum, who is an artist, illustrator and photojournalist.

A Kickstarter campaign has been launched in order to fund the production of the book.

The Kickstarter page states:

‘Growing up is hard for everyone. Some individuals communicate with the world in their own way, but the world does not understand them. They find it particularly hard to transition into adulthood.

“The Girl Who Didn’t Know How To Be” is a picture book that tells the story about a girl who tries very hard to fit into society and her peer groups. She struggles to find a place in this world, but finally she rebels and creates her own rules.’

Having read about this innovative book idea, I was extremely interested to learn more about the creator behind it and the impact that they hope the book will have upon the people who read it. I got in touch with Milda and asked some questions.

Our interview can be read below.

Can you tell me a little about growing up with Asperger’s syndrome?

Well, I think growing up is complicated for everyone anyway, so for me there were lots of difficult parts too. Basically I grew up feeling that I do not belong here. Going to school was really hard, not because I didn’t like learning, I actually loved learning – getting new books and information was something I enjoyed enormously, but because of the social structure in which you had to take part, I never completely got to know what exactly you have to say in different situations, as things were changing all the time. I never really got to know what it exactly means to feel a part of something, as even spending time with wonderful people who liked me, I felt like a total stranger to them. I planned all possible conversations in my head upfront to avoid awkwardness, but always had this feeling that something went wrong.

But there were lots of things to enjoy. I have the most wonderful sisters, so as children we would play together creating our own worlds, stories and rules. All our toy animals had names and we made up stories; how every single one of them came to live with us. Another way to escape the reality was living in the world of books. I would read non-stop, one or two books a day, that way book characters became part of my life too. Also I created my own stories, lots of them. As soon as I had learnt how to write, I kept writing stories, made my own books full of illustrations of animals and the most fantastic adventures. Basically I felt the best being at home in my own world; painting, reading and just doing my own stuff. And I loved doing the same things again and again; it gives a huge comfort to me. For example if I
like a film, I would watch it hundreds of times, again and again and every time I would like it a little bit more.

What was your light bulb moment, in which you thought; let’s make a beautiful picture book about it being ok to be a little different?

Continues Here

What was your light bulb moment, in which you thought; let’s make a beautiful picture book about it being ok to be a little different?

I don’t think there was an exact moment when I decided to make this book. Most of the time ideas come just out of nowhere, reflecting the world I live in, my own experiences and feelings, but not necessary have direct connection with reality; same with this story. Originally I was not planning to publish and share this story with the rest of the world, as it’s always difficult to put a part of yourself out there to be criticised and let total strangers into your own world. But day from day I saw lots of misunderstanding around. Others don’t try to be more understanding and just want to control everyone around, labelling people who don’t fit into imaginary normality. I really like diversity and don’t want others to believe that there is only one way of being, or one way of thinking and seeing the world. I think that the story I want to share with the world reflects the sad reality and misunderstanding that surrounds us. Also I wanted to show that ignorance really hurts and hope that some people will be able to relate to the story as well.

How did you get together with the other collaborators?

I’m horrible at asking people to help or be part of something, especially if that means a lot to me (and my art is the only real thing I actually have), as I’m extremely scared that may say no and something horrible will happen. But for some reason I was lucky enough to meet all those wonderful people who wanted to be a part of this project and bring the picture book to the world. It happens to me all the time, for some mysterious reasons people like what I do and are interested to collaborate. Probably because I work really hard on the things I’m interested and give everything I can to the projects I’m involved, and they are able to sense it. So, after I told Maxi (Jake Maxwell) about my next picture book and that I was thinking to publish it using the Kickstarter platform, he insisted to shoot the video.

Other people who appear in the video are either my or his friends and acquaintances. We shortly told them about what we are doing and that the video is not going to be a regular Kickstarter video, but rather a piece of art itself transforming the message to wider audiences. They got excited and wanted to be a part of it. What Maxi did is incredible and I’m so happy and lucky to have him on board.

Below you can view the Kickstarter video, filmed and directed by Jake Maxwell

Once the campaign has ended, can people still purchase your book?

Yes, sure! Although people should consider pre-ordering the book now (there is also an option to donate a book to the library if someone feel generous enough) as that way they will help me to reach the target and make this project reality. Kickstarter is an all or nothing platform.

But after the book is published, people still will be able to buy it and I hope it will reach lots of people, especially the ones who don’t know much about neurodiversity. Everyone can keep an eye on the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aiws/the-girl-who-didnt-know-how-to-be

Milda ends our interview with the following message for our readers.

‘Through my works I want to send a message that it’s ok to be you, as long as you don’t hurt others. That autism is not a problem, but society that wants to control others and defines what is the “right” and what’s “wrong” is.’

Milda writes a blog that can be found here http://www.aiws.lt/blog
The Kickstarter page can be found here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aiws/the-girl-who-didnt-know-how-to-be
You can follow Milda on Facebook and Twitter