The Adventures of Superhero Dan: Dan Goes to Dreamland

Rachael Williams

(in Children)

The Adventures of an Extraordinary Super Hero

Autism affects millions of children worldwide, yet not many people are aware of how much struggle individuals on the autism spectrum face day in and day out. Whilst some will go on and lead an independent life, others will need constant care due to their long life disability.

And if this isn't enough, their parents feel isolated and judged because of lack of knowledge of what autism is and how it affects people. Often, because a child may not look ‘autistic’, they and their behaviour in public are judged as ‘Naughty’ or ‘Awkward’. A little more understanding of autism can go a long way in accepting it, even embracing it. 

There are many children books where the main character is always a prince, a princess, an animal or even a supernatural creature, but none in which the protagonist has a disability.

Why not have a book whose superhero is autistic? It would make it easier for parents to help their autistic children be aware of their diagnosis and not feel alone or ashamed because of it. 

But, most importantly, it would give children with autism the opportunity to grow up in a realistic world, where they read books with stories in which the heroes are exactly like them.

The Adventures of Superhero Dan is a child and family-friendly book series to help people understand and raise awareness about Autism. It aims to:

• Highlight difficult situations and challenges Autistic individuals face 
• Help others recognise such challenges and build a better, kinder relationship with Autistic people 
• Educate children, autistic or not, about inclusion in a non-invasive and fun way
• Raise awareness about Autistic as a condition

Asking questions that educate the reader or the supervisor such as, “Why is it that Dan cannot speak?” though it cannot change the world, it can make a difference, however small. It is how real change starts. 

The Adventures of Super Hero Dan: Dan Goes to Dreamland deals with a question crucial to Autism: Sleep difficulties 

Many autistic individuals have trouble falling asleep, for many reasons. It could be that they are overwhelmed by the day they have just experienced or are anxious about the events of the next day. 

If they are non-verbal or have trouble finding a way to communicate effectively their feelings, it can impact their sleep and their emotional wellbeing.  

This book, Dan Goes to Dreamland, highlights the struggles that Dan has during bedtime. When his dad suggests to him a new way how to fall asleep, Dan is confused as he has taken the suggestion quite literally, which is what autistic people tend to do. 

But what happens when Dan does eventually fall asleep? What does he dream about that he cannot tell anyone? What could possibly go wrong in the Dreamland and where will it take him? 

Will Dan save the day? The crown jewels have gone missing and The Queen is in tears. What is Dan going to do? Absolutely, because he is a superhero and it’s standard procedure! But the big question is how? That's for you to find out.