Ian lives with autism, and from his point of view, readers see what it is like to live in his world of black, white, and grey—and the colors brought to his life by a friend. A story about friendship and dealing with changes,

Understanding Grey: A Personal Story of Autism and Loss can help young readers process the loss of a friend.

About the Author

Mike, a Kentucky native, is a longtime resident of Panama City, Florida. “Understanding Grey” is his first children’s book inspired by experiencing his son Ian’s reaction to the loss of his best friend Matt. The young men were living in a supportive living home together. Mike is a registered nurse frequently sought as a speaker on autism and related topics. Contact barbour15@comcast.net.

About the Illustrator:

Amanda Reinfeld is an illustrator from the panhandle of Florida. There she lives on a bayou and spends her evenings drawing with her cat, Lydia. Amanda also teaches art to adults with developmental disabilities. She has spent her life dedicated to art and art therapy. Contact amandareinfeld@rocketmail.com.