Q&A with Dalisse Sequeiros

 

 

 

Dalisse Sequeiros is the author, with Luis Barros, of the new children's book Autism: My Invisible Backpack. Their other books include Autism: Confidence Starts Here. 

 

Q: What was the inspiration behind Autism: My Invisible Backpack?

 

A: The inspiration for this book, and for every book in our Loving Pieces series, comes directly from our family’s life. Both of our boys, Adrián, 11, and Guillermo, 5, are autistic, and watching them grow and navigate the world has shaped everything we do as parents and storytellers.

 

For Autism: My Invisible Backpack, we wanted to capture what children carry inside, the thoughts, emotions, and challenges that aren’t always visible. Adrián inspired the main character, and we used the “invisible backpack” as a metaphor for the experiences of autistic children, but also for all children, because everyone carries unseen feelings and struggles.

 

We also wanted the book to give autistic children a voice that reflects their inner world while helping neurotypical children understand autism in a compassionate way. As Adrián enters his preteen years, topics like hyper-empathy, literal thinking, and masking become more important, and we wanted to create a story that could spark conversations about these concepts in a gentle and relatable way.

 

Our goal is for the book to be a bridge, helping children, parents, and educators talk about emotions, differences, and empathy, while showing that no one has to carry their backpack alone.

 

Q: How did the two of you collaborate on the book?

A: We write from our experiences as parents, blending what we learn from therapists, courses, books, other parents, teachers, our kids and our everyday life. We wanted to bring those insights to children in a way that is relatable, practical, and compassionate.

 

One of our family activities is hiking, and we loved incorporating this into the books. In Autism: My Invisible Backpack, the mountain hike becomes a metaphor for the emotional journeys our children experience, making the story both fun and meaningful.

 

Every chapter, scene, and image reflects real-life moments, from our children’s routines to the small gestures that reveal so much about their inner world. The process felt like co-parenting on the page, combining love, patience, and careful observation to create a story that feels authentic and heartfelt.

 

Each book in the Loving Pieces Books series highlights a particular theme, like meltdowns, socializing, routines, or confidence. For this book specifically, we wanted to start conversations about topics that become especially important as Adrián enters his preteen years: hyper-empathy, literal thinking, and especially masking.

 

Through the story, children can explore these ideas in an engaging way while seeing their own experiences reflected in the journey up the mountain, just as we experience together as a family.

 

Q: What do you think are some of the most common perceptions and misconceptions about autism?

A: Many people assume that autism is just one thing, but in reality, it’s a broad spectrum, and there isn’t a single way to be autistic. Some think autistic children aren’t social, or that non-verbal children aren’t communicating, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Every child has their own unique ways of learning, expressing themselves, and connecting with the world.

 

We often notice that people misunderstand behaviors that are really just different ways of processing emotions or navigating daily life.

 

For example, masking, when an autistic child hides their feelings or mimics others to fit in, can look like shyness or indifference, but it’s actually exhausting and can hide the child’s true self.

 

Hyper-empathy, intense focus, routines, or sensory sensitivities are also often misinterpreted as quirks, moodiness, or difficulty, when they are simply part of how a child experiences life.

 

One of our goals with Autism: My Invisible Backpack is to challenge these misconceptions and show that different doesn’t mean less. By sharing authentic experiences through our story, we hope children, parents, and educators can see the richness, intelligence, and depth in every child’s way of being.

 

Q: Who do you see as the audience for this book, and what do you hope readers take away from it?

A: Autism: My Invisible Backpack is a children’s book based on real-life autistic characters. Every page features hand-drawn illustrations and language that children can easily understand, making it both engaging and relatable. It is designed to be read along with the adults who love them, creating shared moments of understanding and connection.

 

For autistic children, the book helps them recognize their own feelings and experiences and see that they are not alone in carrying an invisible backpack. Neurotypical children can use it as a gentle window into the experiences of autistic peers, learning empathy, understanding, and compassion.

 

The book is also read by adults, parents, teachers, and caregivers. It offers a reminder that every child carries unseen challenges, emotions, and strengths. By observing, listening, and validating these experiences, adults can help children feel seen, understood, and supported.

 

At the end of the book, we include a Bonus Chapter, Tips for Parents, with strategies that have helped us lighten the load we carry as parents. The book also comes with four FREE downloadable workbooks that parents can use to explore concepts introduced in the story, such as masking, emotions, therapy as a safe space, and more.

 

The book is available in three languages--English, Spanish and Catalan--so we can reach more children worldwide.

 

Our hope is that readers walk away with resources and a deeper sense of empathy and connection, understanding that everyone carries their own backpack and that no one has to carry it alone.

 

The book is meant to spark conversations at home, in classrooms, and among friends, using simple storytelling, illustrations, and relatable moments to open discussions about feelings, differences, and finding safe people to share their journey with.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: We have such high hopes for the Loving Pieces book series and want it to reach even more children. Right now, we have one more book in the works for the Adrián series, continuing to explore the experiences of older autistic children.

 

At the same time, we are excited to start a Guillermo series aimed at preschool autistic children, capturing those early experiences while everything is still fresh for us.

 

We are also creating a very heartfelt book for parents. Nobody truly understands what it means to have an autistic child until they become a parent of one, and we want to offer guidance, compassion, and practical insights for those navigating this journey.

 

Through these books, we hope to continue sharing our experiences, helping families feel seen, supported, and connected, and sparking understanding and empathy for autistic children at every age.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: Our journey with Adrián and Guillermo has taught us that parenting autistic children turns you into a detective of love. You learn to read the smallest cues, celebrate the tiniest victories, and approach every challenge with patience, creativity, and empathy.

 

Looking back, there was a time when we couldn’t even say the word “autism” without crying. Now, we feel empowered and full of advocacy, and this transformation has been a journey in itself.

 

The Loving Pieces Books series is our way of sharing that perspective. Each story, illustration, and tip is meant to create safe spaces for children to explore emotions, understand themselves, and connect with others.

 

We hope the series helps families, teachers, and peers see that every child carries an invisible backpack, full of challenges, strengths, and feelings, and that everyone deserves support along the way.

 

Ultimately, our goal is to foster empathy, understanding, and compassion, reminding children and adults alike that no one has to carry their backpack alone, and that with love, patience, and guidance, every child can thrive.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. This Q&A was conducted in partnership with Dalisse Sequeiros. Enter this giveaway for the chance to win one of 10 paperback copies of Autism: My Invisible Backpack by Dalisse Sequeiros. Plus, one lucky grand prize winner will receive a complete set of books from Loving Pieces Books!