Emma Goes to School

Emma Goes to School is a children's book that celebrates physical and nuero-diversity, inspired by a little girl with special needs named Emma Nelson.


Emma was diagnosed with Schaaf-Yang Syndrome (SYS) in 2016, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 2017. 


The characters in Emma Goes to School have personality traits that represent different aspects of SYS, ADS, and other developmental disabilities.


Emma, the main character, has unique claws as a nod to the hand contractures commonly seen in people with SYS. 


While meeting her classmates, Emma is able to explore other issues, like using a wheelchair, nonverbal communication, and being on the autism spectrum.


"Inspired by all of my concerns for Emma's future, I decided to imagine a fictional world in which children's anxieties about being different were put to rest, and each and every character learns to love and own their differences. 


Emma Goes to School was written to inspire, and show kids that their differences are beautiful, and make them special and different, but never 'less'."


- Kristin Pack, author