When Dr. Cheryl Pope, who runs a non-profit called Books are Treasures Inc, in Philadelphia was googling for the powerhouse in the field of Autism, one name came up.
“Across the board, when it came to highlighting children on the spectrum and making them the center of attention the name, Sheletta Brundidge, came up.”
So, Pope contacted Brundidge, also known as the Autism Mom, and asked her to travel to Philadelphia for a special event on Saturday, April 12 for kids on the spectrum to create a book about their story and share it with other families.
Brundige is a children’s author, an Emmy Award-winning comedian, radio host, owner of the multimedia online platform ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com and the mom of four children, three of whom have been diagnosed with autism.
“I remember when I found out my 3-year-old Brandon was on the spectrum and was told the best thing we can do is put him in a group home when he turns 14,” Brundidge recalled. “Nobody ever told me it could get better, but it can. My child went from not talking, to talking back!” Brundidge wants to help other parents so they don’t have to learn the hard way.
Families in Philadelphia will meet Brundidge and hear her read from her book “Cameron Goes to School” which outlines her daughter’s struggle to make friends in kindergarten because the anxiety related to her autism made her socially awkward.
“In our household, a book was a tool,” said Dr. Cheryl Pope of Books are Treasures Inc., a non-profit hosting the event. “Books are Treasures is something I started because of my mom’s love of books and how she incorporated them into our lives.”
Pope says the April 12 event with Brundidge’s leadership and expertise, will serve as an educational tool for families with children on the spectrum.
Last summer alone Brundidge made national headlines for traveling to eight cities to give away nearly 1,000 interior combination locks to families with autistic children to keep them safe. The events were in response to the drownings, which is the leading cause of death of autistic children, who are 160 times more likely to wander and drown than their neurotypical peers.
Brundige’s goal is to help families living with autism but also educate the community at large.
“I want people who have never encountered a person with autism to have the information and education they need because one in 34 children has autism. Soon that’s going to be one in 34 adults.
During the April 12 event, Brundidge will guide the kids to write their own story in a hard-cover book that they will present to the group.
“Everyone needs to be able to see themselves as the protagonist,” said Pope. “So many times kids with autism can relate, but they don’t see themselves in the story.”
Prizes will be awarded with $500 going to first place.
“A lot of times, kids with autism are last,” Brundidge said. “They’re last to go in the lunch line, last to go to the playground, last to get to school and last to be picked for anything. But at this event, we are putting children with autism first.”
The “Sensory is Perception” Autism Awareness Event is on Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2701 North Broad Street in North Philadelphia. You can learn more at Eventbrite or by calling 215-520-1176 or email Dr. Cheryl Pope at cherylvpopephd@gmail.com