Lily's Happy Hands ($1.99)
Happy Hands: Finding Calm Through Stimming and Support
Stimming is a beautiful, physical expression of joy in our house. We’ve always called them my son's "happy hands" because they flutter most when he’s excited or trying to share something with us. But as any parent of an autistic child knows, those same movements can also be a way to process big feelings—like sadness, anger, or the intense sensory overwhelm that hits when kids on the spectrum find themselves in unfamiliar places or experiencing something new.
A Mother's Perspective on Growth
In our own home, we've seen the role stimming plays in our child's growing up years. We've seen how it evolved as my son grows. My son still has his happy hands. He flaps them when he's excited to show us something or when he's trying to tell us about what he just watched on YouTube. He doesn't have the words, but we know he watched a video that filled him with wonder and excitement.
It's different when he's upset and having a bad day. When he was younger, he would hide under the blanket and stay there for anywhere between 5 to 15 minutes. Now that he is 14, he usually locks himself in his room away from everyone. And we make sure to give him the space for that. We respect his need for quiet.
Lily's Story about Stimming and Having a Safe Space
This journey of understanding and providing kids with special needs a space for them to thrive and grow and be who they are is the heart of my new book, Lily's Happy Hands.
In the story, Lily gets overwhelmed by the bright lights and loud sounds at the local grocery store, leading to a major meltdown. Instead of getting frustrated, her mom simply scoops her up and takes her home to her "quiet castle." This is the pillow fort built by her Dad—a quiet place where Lily can find her calm. Her parents remind her that it’s okay to flap her hands and have big feelings, creating a foundation of unconditional love and acceptance.
Using Stories To Introduce Autism Awareness at Home
I’ve found that stories are often the gentlest way to help our children—and even our friends and family—understand the unique way an autistic brain works. When we read about characters like Lily, we aren’t just looking at pictures; we are giving our kids a mirror to see themselves in.
Seeing Lily find her "quiet castle" helps a child understand that their need for a safe space isn't a "bad" thing, but a healthy way to take care of themselves. By using these read-alouds at home, you’re not just reading a story; you’re building a culture of acceptance where "happy hands" and big feelings are celebrated, not hidden. It’s about teaching our kids (and ourselves) that their way of experiencing the world is valid and beautiful.
Lily’s Story on YouTube
I want this book to be as accessible as possible, so I’ve recorded a video of myself narrating the flipbook for an interactive read-aloud experience. You can use this video to introduce the story of Lily and the concept of the "quiet castle" to your child, helping them visualize how to find their calm and understand that flapping is okay and a valid way of self-expression.