Caymanian senior behaviour technician and former Miss Supranational Cayman Islands, Melissa Bridgemohan is making her writing debut with ‘Shaun, the Spirited Sloth’, which touches on her educational experience with concentration condition attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The book follows the journey of a sloth named Shaun, who has ADHD.
Shaun’s story sheds light on the challenges he faces being misunderstood by his teachers and peers. With the help of a compassionate school counsellor, he discovers practical ways to thrive and navigate life with ADHD, ultimately finding his place in a world that often overlooks his unique strengths.
‘A different way of being’
“As a behaviour technician with over five years of experience working with children, I’ve seen firsthand the lack of understanding and inclusivity in educational settings for neurodiverse students, particularly those with ADHD,” Bridgemohan, 27, told the Cayman Compass.
“One child in particular, who often felt isolated and misunderstood, deeply inspired me to write this story. His experience of being overlooked by his peers and educators, combined with his incredible potential, sparked my desire to advocate for children like him, helping others see that ADHD is not a limitation but a different way of being.”
The 26 page-book features engaging, colourful illustrations by local art and graphics designer Rachelle Rivers, that complement the story and include child-friendly explanations of ADHD, allowing its young readers to grasp the concept.
“I initially wrote the book as an assignment for children’s literature class at UCCI, but after seeing its potential to advocate for the inclusion of neurodiverse children, I knew I had to take it further … it’s meant for everyone – neurodiverse individuals, parents of both neurodiverse and typically developing children, and educators,” Bridgemohan said.
She added, “It’s a tool to build empathy and awareness across a broad audience, helping readers of all ages understand that we all learn and experience the world in different ways, and that those differences are to be embraced, not feared.”
The power of inclusion
Bridgemohan said one of the biggest challenges she had in the process of creating the book was writing in a way that was both educational and engaging.
“I wanted the book to serve as a resource for teaching children about ADHD, but also to be fun and relatable, something they would enjoy reading, not just learn from …. Striking that balance was key.”
Bridgemohan said it was important for her to write the book, “to give voice to children who often feel voiceless, to empower those who struggle to express themselves”.
She added, “I wanted to create a story that would foster understanding and compassion, advocating for a more inclusive society where neurodiverse individuals are celebrated.
“My hope is that this book becomes a resource, not only for children, but for educators, parents, and the wider community, helping all of us recognise the power of inclusion.”
A book launch is scheduled for 30 Nov., at The Gallery, Camana Bay. The book is now available directly through Bridgemohan by email, [email protected].
Bridgemohan is now working on an audiobook version of the new book, as well as a book series, ‘Spectrum Stories,’ which will continue to explore and educate about other neurodiverse conditions, such as autism, attention deficit disorder(ADD), dyslexia, and others.
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