KINGSTON, Jamaica—Parents of children with autism usually stress the importance of patience to help their children live a normal life.

Susan Vanriel-Smith can attest to that. The Jamaican, who lives in Connecticut, United States, recently released Picture Day With Nicholas, her second book. It looks at one of the challenges children with neurodiversity face.

The 38-page book is produced by Gifted One Publishing, Vanriel-Smith’s company.

“Picture Day With Nicholas was inspired by personal experience. As the parent of children on the autism spectrum, I have witnessed many challenges, emotions and unique moments that children with autism experience in everyday situations,” she said in an interview with the Observer Online.

“This story was based on my experience with picture-taking in general, not just at school.

The school situation helped me to provide a learning situation for my readers. My hope is that someone will take away something meaningful, whether it’s the idea of a way to handle a child that may feel similar in a situation such as this,” she added.

Jeremy Brown addressed that issue in a 2025 edition of Autism Parenting Magazine.

“One of the key problems that can arise when trying to take pictures of autistic children is sensory issues. Some children with autism spectrum disorder may struggle with bright lights, loud sounds, or sudden movement,” he wrote. “Depending on the type of picture being taken, one or all of these could be present, causing trouble for the child. For example, bright flashes from the camera can trigger visual sensory issues.”

From Westmoreland, Vanriel-Smith is a registered polysomnographer (sleep technician). Two of her three children are autistic, which influenced the decision to write books encouraging empathy for families in similar situations.

Different But Special, Vanriel-Smith’s first book, was released in 2024. She had no literary experience, but caring for her children prepared her for the project.

“Writing the first book was a learning journey that required dedication and a passion for sharing an important message. The experience taught me a great deal about writing and the entire process of publishing a book, which in turn inspired me to continue writing,” she said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in 31 children (roughly 3.2 per cent ) in the United States is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

In May, Dr Donna-Neisha Steele, a Special Education Specialist, disclosed that as many as 700 children are identified as autistic annually in Jamaica.