We're All The Same And Different: 4 Children's Books That Teach About Disabilities And Disorders

Children are often told to embrace the differences among their peers and those around them: gender, height, hairstyle, size, and skin color are common characteristics they can quickly spot and learn to appreciate.

At the same time, some complexities aren't easy for them to see, let alone understand. Physical disabilities, sensory sensitivities, and developmental conditions affect a significant number of children in the country, yet they remain puzzling and intimidating even to adults.

Much like superheroes coming to the rescue, local artists, writers, and publishers have put in the effort to bring out informative yet enjoyable books that shed light on the differences many children have.

Discover a few of these titles that touch on topics about the autism spectrum and other disabilities that can help your little ones grasp ideas more easily, cherish the value of reading books, and embrace their many unique differences.

4 Filipino children's books about disabilities and disorders

1. Doobiedoo Asks by Bambi Eloriaga-Amago (Php 400)

'What do you call a wolf who works at the warehouse?'

In Doobiedoo Asks, there's no lack of laughter when the imaginative little boy Doobie cracks his "what do you call" jokes at his parents. Their giggles take a turn for serious after a piece of advice from one of his teachers describes his peculiarities as giftedness. Doobie's parents, willing to do everything to uncover their son's condition, set out to talk to educators and specialists to figure out how to answer Doobie's heart-wrenching question: What is wrong with me?

This semi-autobiographical, award-winning comic book, written by Bambi Eloriaga-Amago and illustrated by Roland Amago, tugs at the heartstrings of parents who are willing to take on unexpected challenges. Upon discovering Doobie's unique behavior belongs in the autism spectrum, they became braver in sharing their experience in a wonderful format. Both children and parents can spend time reading, learning, and laughing at Doobie’s lovable humor.

Buy Doobiedoo Asks on Lazada here

2. Every Sunday by Och Gonzalez (Php 160)

'How could I talk to him if he couldn't hear me?'

Right after attending Sunday Mass, a young girl's delight in enjoying her favorite cheese, strawberry, and ube ice cream from Kuya Berto's cart outside the church becomes a show of appreciation and respect expressed through sign language. Every Sunday (Tuwing Linggo) touches on the value of learning how to sign to communicate with deaf individuals and its benefit in fostering an inclusive community.

Written by Palanca Award Winner for Literature Och Gonzalez and CJ Reynaldo, a member of the Deaf community, this vibrantly illustrated book opens with everyday scenes that many children can encounter. Along the way, easy-to-follow signs for common phrases such as 'Hello' and 'Good Morning' are shared by the adorable characters. Moreover, the complete Filipino Sign Language Alphabet gives young readers the opportunity to pick up a new subtle yet powerful skill.

Buy Every Sunday on Lazada here

3. Super Maya by Bambi A. Rodriguez (Php 350)

'Dean? Why is she called Dean?'

Maya wants to make new friends in her new school, but she's held back by fear, unable to completely understand what the other kids are talking about. An opportunity to speak up in class reveals her 'superpower' of lip reading, and her teachers and classmates soon realize what they have to do to make her comfortable.

Super Maya takes readers in the first few days at school of Maya, a little girl who came across an illness as an infant, which affected her hearing ability. She represents Hard-of-Hearing or HOH individuals that frequently encounter difficulties in speaking up. Writer Bambi A. Rodriguez is a former preschool teacher for special education who is passionate about working with kids in the Autism Spectrum and with those in the HOH group like her. Nix Ilagan gave life to Maya and the rest of the characters on the page as the illustrator.

Buy Super Maya on Lazada here

4. Too Loud! Soothing Sensory Overload With Music by Bambi Eloriaga-Amago (Php 150)

'Stop! Everyone's too loud!'

Energetic children can dance, play, and sing all day long. This high level of fun entails loud chatter and laughter, which, for other kids, is too much to bear. Elmo in Too Loud! Soothing Sensory Overload With Music is sensitive to different kinds of sounds that vary from someone’s chewing of food to the whirring of a hair blower. Jean, his classmate, learns how to calm him down with soothing music whenever these noisy distractions turn up around them.

The book teaches a lesson on how to properly cope with a Person with Autism. While they try to mingle normally in public spaces, many are unaware of how to interact with or help them in handling bouts of sensory overload. Recently launched at the Quezon City Public Library, this new title from writer Bambi Eloriaga-Amago is a collaboration with Gani Riel Cabezas, a young, autistic illustrator and comic creator.

Buy Too Loud! Soothing Sensory Overload With Music on Roots Collective here

Check out more books about disabilities that you can read to your child here.