Meet Repeat Pete : A Pirate With Repetitive Behaviour is the first book in the series called "Repeat Pete, A Pirate With Repetitive Behaviour.
Authored and illustrated by Kylee Matson, mother of a son who is on the autism spectrum, this delightful series focuses on the challenges that Repeat Pete , a pirate with autism is faced with.
Kylee wrote the book as an ardent advocate for peer sensitivity which enabled her son, Oakley, to integrate into mainstream schooling in his primary years. She could not find a children's book that describes stimming, a self regulatory behaviour common in autism. One family remarked "we finally feel the world can understand our family" when presented with the book as a gift.
The series is inspired by a pirate drawing Oakley did, aged 5. Kylee Matson modelled her illustrations on the style that is unique to her son who has artisitic talent. They are vivid and quirky reflecting the nature of her son's autism.
The reader learns to understand what stimming is and how it affects Repeat Pete. His problems are magnified by the lack of understanding from his fellow crew members as they laugh and scorn at him. He jumps overboard the pirate ship and swims to an island. On this island he discovers a new experience called acceptance. This helps him to be calm and accept himself. His stims even diminish.
Autism is a mystery to most people including the child. This delightful series is written to help bring understanding to a very complex and ever increasing issue that families and educators are being faced with. Autism WA have included "Meet Repeat Pete" in their school inclusivity program. Suitable for ages 8-10.
