Taking Authority Over Autism

Sheletta is trying to get her daughter's book Cameron Goes To School ready in April for autism awareness month. Lily Coyle, publisher of Beaver's Pond Press, says NO WAY. But Sheletta has a trick up her sleeve: the illustrator, Darcy Bell-Meyers, just finished the all photos. Can these three ladies pull it off and get the books on the store shelves in just a couple months? We'll see...

In Sheletta's quest to write a children's book about her daughter Cameron's first day of kindergarten in time for Autism Awareness Month, she finds an illustrator who also has a daughter on the spectrum. Darcy Bell-Myers agrees to do the artwork for Sheletta's project and says this book will be a labor of love.

Sheletta is outraged when her daughter Cameron can't find a book to read about a black girl with autism. But instead of calling her friends to complain, she calls Lily Coyle, the owner of Beaver's Pond Press, to find out how to write a children's book with a diverse character like her child, who has special needs.

Sheletta wanted to sign her boys up for football but didn't because their autism prevents them from being able to safely play the game they love. That all changed when she met Bill  Halter from Hope Field House, an organization that has sports for kids with autism.

Sheletta is worried that if her two young black sons with autism encounter police, it could lead to deadly consequences. Daniel has limited verbal skills and Brandon struggles with simple commands. She's organized a community conversation with Dakota County Sheriff's Department and the Minnesota Vikings to talk about diversity in community policing.