I have to tell you about a happy moment in our lives. It usually starts with a brightly colored invitation, held a little nervously by Adrián. “There’s a party,” he’ll say, his voice a mix of excitement and that familiar flutter of anxiety.

I know that flutter so well. The questions swirling in his brilliant mind: What will it be like? Who will be there? How loud will it get? What if I need a break?

For years, we navigated these questions together, building our own family “party plan” out of trial, error, and deep love. We poured everything we learned into our first book, Party Time for Adrián. It was our heart, printed on pages.

And then, something beautiful happened. You read it. You used it. You wrote to us. You shared your own stories, your victories, your struggles, and your brilliant ideas for making it even better.

That feedback was a gift. It showed us where our story could grow, where another illustration could ease a worry, where a clearer strategy could build more confidence. You showed us that this wasn’t just our story anymore; it was becoming a tool for a whole community.

That’s why today, my heart is so full as I introduce you to the nurtured, expanded, second edition of that book, now titled:

Autism: This is How I Party

We kept the warm, empowering core of Adrián’s journey, the character the birthday girl Amelia, the story that has helped so many kids visualize what a birthday party could look and even feel like. But we nurtured it, like tending a garden, to make it even more supportive.

Here’s what’s new in this second edition:

  • Richer, new Illustrations: We’ve added more visual cues and scenes to help kids see each step of the party process, from getting ready to finding a quiet corner, making the social landscape easier to navigate.
  • An Even Clearer, Step-by-Step Framework: We refined the party plan, making the “Where, Who, What, and When” even more intuitive for kids to follow and for parents to implement.
  • A Direct Response to Your Voice: Every piece of thoughtful feedback from families, teachers, and therapists was listened to. This edition is shaped by real-life use, making it a more practical and powerful tool.

But we didn’t stop there.

Your Free Gift: The Ultimate Autism-Friendly Party Plan

The book gives kids their roadmap. Now, we want to give you, the amazing adult supporting them, a complete blueprint.

As our heartfelt “thank you” for being part of this community, we’ve created a brand-new, FREE downloadable guide: “The Ultimate Autism-Friendly Party Plan.”

This isn’t just a few tips. It’s a comprehensive, step-by-step checklist and strategy guide to:

  • Prepare: How to “preview” the party with your child days in advance.
  • Pack: What to put in your essential “Calm Down Kit” bag.
  • Partner: How to communicate with the host family to create a more inclusive environment for everyone.
  • Pivot: Clear strategies for recognizing overwhelm and executing a graceful break -or exit without shame.
  • Process: Helpful ways to decompress and celebrate the wins afterward.
  • Hosting: How you can be the host of your own party and how to communicate with guest about your child´s needs

This guide takes the philosophy of the book and turns it into your actionable playbook for real life.

Why This Book Exists: For Adrián, Guille, and Your Child

Autism: This is How I Party was born from our lived reality. It’s not about forcing social compliance. It’s about empowering joyful participation. It’s about giving our kids:

  • Self-Awareness: To recognize their own mix of excitement and nerves.
  • Self-Management: With tools like the “Birthday Candle Breath” to find their calm.
  • Confidence: To know that needing a break is a smart strategy, not a social failure.

This book is for the child who feels the flutter. It’s for the parent who wants to replace anxiety with anticipation. It’s for the teacher or therapist building social-emotional skills. It’s for the host family who wants their celebration to be welcoming for everyone.

We are so grateful for the journey that led us to this new edition. This is more than a book update; it’s a testament to the power of community feedback and our shared commitment to seeing our children thrive.

Ready to turn party anxiety into confident anticipation?

Here’s to celebrating every child, exactly as they are, and giving them the tools to join the fun in their own wonderful way.

With so much gratitude,

Dalisse