The Disability Book Archive

[ID: A book cover. The title “A Day With No Words” is at the top in large, red font. At the bottom, in smaller red font, are the names of the author and illustrator. A child is in the foreground of the image. They are wearing a yellow shirt and purple tartan pants. Yellow flowers surround them. Behind them, a playground scene. A slide, a swing set, a gate and some kind of snail ride can be seen amongst colourful trees. All of this is set against a dark background. /end]

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Content Warning:

• Ableism

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Summary:

A must-read that belongs in every home and classroom, A Day With No Words invites readers into the life of an Autism Family who communicates just as the child does, without spoken language.

This colorful and engaging picture book for young readers shares what life can look like for families who use nonverbal communication, utilizing tools to embrace their unique method of “speaking.”

The story highlights the bond between mother and child and follows them on a day where they use a tablet to communicate with others.

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Notes:

The author of this book is an autistic mother, who has two autistic sons.

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Archivist Comments:

Here’s a line I’ve seen a lot of people picking out and praising: “My son does not speak, but his ears work just fine. The words that you say go straight to his mind.”

This book explores the day-to-day life of an autistic family, and is narrated by the family’s young son, who is non-verbal and uses an AAC device to communicate. It looks at ableism in childrens spaces and the difficulties that a non-verbal child and their family may go through in trying to get people to just listen to them.

I have seen nothing but praise for this book. It was rated very highly. Personally, I think the art on that cover is gorgeous.

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