Episode 47: Special Guest, Author Abigail Balfe

21andsensory Podcast

I am super excited for today's episode as I have special guest Abigail Balfe. Abigail is a Brighton-based writer, illustrator and Emmy Award winning creative producer. Abigail is an author and has just had her first book published. It's called 'A Different Sort of Normal' and it documents how Abigail didn't realise she was autistic until she was an adult. The book includes funny stories including her love of cats, fear of toilets, and an amusing story featuring her dad and a tub of ice cream. There are also more serious ones: a very difficult experience at a swimming pool, and her experience of navigating the overwhelming stimuli of a crowded train.

Along the way, there is also crucial information about autism, including commonly held misconceptions. She also includes tips to help readers navigate key milestones – attending ‘big school’, puberty, and making friends – especially if you do differ from the ‘norm’ around you.

I reached out to her to ask if she might like to come on my podcast to chat a little more about her book!

We chat about:

• Abigail's Autism diagnosis and the process / journey behind it
• Diagnosis of Autism in women and late diagnosis
• Abigail's experience of Masking as an Autistic person
• Abigail's career as a Creative Producer, Author and Illustrator!
• Abigail's studies at Cambridge School of Art (MA Children's Book Illustration course) and we chat about how her book came about as a result of her final MA uni project.
• How Abigail went about creating her book and how she juggled being both the Author and Illustrator as well as a chat about doing book PR
• Abigails special interests and hobbies and her favourite sensory / fidget items!
• Where you can buy her fab book from!

Abigails's links:

• Buy Abigail's Book here
• Abigail's Twitter: https://twitter.com/abigailbalfe
• Abigail's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abigailbalfe/
• Abigail's Website: https://www.abigailbalfe.com
• Abigail on CBBC's Book Club: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/watch/cbbc-book-club-2021-july and here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/watch/cbbc-book-club-2021-august

My 21andsensory links:

• @21andsensory on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/21andsensory/
• @21andsensory on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@21andsensory
• 21andsensory on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/21andsensory
• 21andsensory Blog - https://21andsensory.wordpress.com
• @21andsensory on Twitter - https://twitter.com/21andsensory