Join Anna Kennedy as she sits down with Pamela Akuli, founder of Just Like Me Books, a publishing venture dedicated to bringing authentic representation of neurodiversity and disability into children’s literature. Pamela shares the deeply personal journey that inspired her work: watching her son Walter, diagnosed with autism at three and a half, connect with picture books in ways that no existing stories could capture. From navigating long NHS waiting lists and cultural stigma within Black British communities to finding the right school environment, Pamela opens up about the real challenges autistic families face—and how her vibrant Buster series is changing the landscape of children’s books, one story at a time.
Beyond the books, this episode celebrates the wider work of Anna Kennedy Online, including the exciting Sugar-Rush Create-and-Bake competition (closing 30 June) where you can design a cake that represents autism, and a sneak peek at the upcoming Autism Hero Awards. Pamela also reveals how she’s channeled her own mental-health journey—from investment-banking burnout to building Comeback Fitness, her online exercise classes—into tools that help other caregivers thrive. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply passionate about inclusion, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, infectious energy, and a powerful reminder that representation in children’s books truly matters.
Main Topics
Pamela Akuli founded Just Like Me Books to fill a gap in children's literature, creating stories that authentically represent neurodiversity, disability, and ethnic diversity—with her debut picture book 'Buster' inspired by her autistic son Walter's real experiences with sensory processing.
Cultural stigma and systemic barriers significantly impact diagnosis and support for Black autistic children, from long NHS waiting lists to misconceptions within communities that view autism as a 'white condition' or spiritual issue rather than a neurological difference.
Finding the right educational setting is crucial; Walter moved from a mainstream school where he was isolated and negatively labeled to a specialist school where he thrives with proper speech and occupational therapy support.
Representation matters: fewer than 1% of UK children's books feature disabled protagonists, and Pamela is on a mission to get books featuring autistic and disabled characters into mainstream shelves and school libraries worldwide.
Mental health and self-care are non-negotiable for caregivers; Pamela manages her own anxiety and depression through structured routines, exercise (Comeback Fitness classes), and small daily joys—a message of hope for parents navigating autism support.
The AKO Sugar-Rush Create-and-Bake competition (closing 30 June) invites participants to design autism-inspired cakes, cookies, or brownies across three age categories, with the winning entry receiving a champion baker apron and t-shirt.
Full TranscriptAI Insights for: All Things Autism - Pam Kominsky, Just Like Me.mp3
Generated by Transcript LOL: 2026-03-03T01:52:01.549...▼
AI Insights for: All Things Autism - Pam Kominsky, Just Like Me.mp3
Generated by Transcript LOL: 2026-03-03T01:52:01.549Z
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## 💬 Keywords
Autism, Asperger's syndrome, Sensory processing disorder, Autism documentary, Autism baking competition, Diversity, Inclusion, Children’s literature, Disability representation, Makaton, Cultural stigma, Black autistic families, Misdiagnosis, Specialist school, Mainstream school, Parent burnout, Investment‑banking burnout, Mental health, COVID lockdown, Exercise classes, Comeback Fitness, Meditation, Potato waffles, Ear defenders, Buster book, Just Like Me Books, Autism Hero Awards, Autism Hero Awards nomination, Autism support resources, Autism charity website
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## 📝 Introduction
**Welcome to “All Things Autism” – a fresh episode from Anna Kennedy’s sunny office on a beautiful summer’s day.**
In today’s show Anna kicks us off with a quick update on the charity’s latest milestones: we’ve welcomed a new ambassador, Thomas Henley—a Commonwealth gold‑medalist, filmmaker and biomedical science graduate who was diagnosed with Asperger’s at ten—and the countdown is on for the AKO Sugar‑Rush “Create‑and‑Bake” competition, closing June 30th.
The heart of the episode is a conversation with **Pamela Akuli (aka Pammy)**, the founder of a teeny‑tiny but mighty publishing venture that’s reshaping children’s literature to celebrate neuro‑diversity, disability, ethnicity and all the faces of inclusion. Pammy shares the personal story behind her work: her son **Walter**, diagnosed with autism at three and a half, who went from non‑verbal book‑lover to the inspiration for her debut picture‑book **“Buster”**—a vibrant tale about a little boy with sensory‑processing challenges who finds his own beat.
We hear about the hurdles she’s faced as a multicultural family—stigma, mis‑diagnosis, and a healthcare system that often overlooks black autistic children—plus the roller‑coaster of finding the right school environment for Walter. Pammy also reveals the creative process behind her books, the small but dedicated team that brings them to life, and her dreams of turning these stories into animated resources for classrooms worldwide.
Beyond the pages, Anna and Pammy touch on the wider community work happening at Anna Kennedy Online: the Autism Hero Awards, meditation resources from Juliana Wheater, and Pammy’s own **Comeback Fitness** classes—online workouts she runs to keep her mental health in check.
If you’re a parent, educator, or anyone who believes in a world where every child sees themselves reflected in the stories they read, stay tuned. We’ll walk you through the Sugar‑Rush challenge, how you can nominate heroes for the upcoming Autism Hero Awards, and where to find Pammy’s books, podcasts, and fitness sessions.
**Ready to dive in?** Let’s celebrate inclusion, share some sweet baking ideas, and hear how one family is turning autism into art, advocacy, and a whole lot of love. 🎙️✨
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## 📚 Timestamped overview
**Episode Overview – “All Things Autism” (Anna Kennedy Online)**
*Approx. 1 hour 0 minutes*
| **Time** | **Key Topic / Moment** | **Details / Highlights** |
|----------|----------------------|--------------------------|
| **00:00‑00:12** | **Intro & Host Context** | Anna Kennedy greets listeners, mentions the lovely summer day, notes Lisa is working from home. |
| **00:12‑00:36** | **New Ambassador Announcement** | Introduction of **Thomas Henley** – video‑podcast creator, Commonwealth‑gold taekwondo medallist, biomedical sciences graduate, diagnosed with Asperger’s at 10. |
| **00:36‑01:18** | **Thomas Henley’s Story** | Recap of his 2019 interview, his mental‑health struggles at 14, creation of *Asperger in the Society* documentary (link on charity site). |
| **01:18‑01:32** | **AKO “Sugar‑Rush Create & Bake” Competition** | Reminder: submissions close **30 June**. Prize = champion baker apron + t‑shirt (partnered with Born Anxious). Participants asked to design a cake/cookie/brownie that *represents autism* (shape or ingredients). |
| **01:32‑02:12** | **Competition Categories** | Three age groups – **Under 11**, **Under 17**, **18 & over**. Host notes she can’t taste them all. |
| **02:12‑02:39** | **Guest Introduction – Pamela Akuli** | Pam’s tiny business focuses on diversity & inclusion in children’s literature. Passion for books that honour all young lives. |
| **02:39‑03:24** | **Pam’s Background** | Born in Tamworth, studied Marketing at Middlesex University, early career in investment banking (Canary Wharf) → burnout, anxiety, agoraphobia. |
| **03:24‑04:27** | **Why Pam Started Writing** | Her son **Walter** (diagnosed with autism 2017, non‑verbal until ~4) obsessed with picture books. Realised existing books didn’t reflect his experience → she began writing **Buster** series for him, then for a wider audience. |
| **04:27‑05:50** | **Diagnosis Journey** | Long waiting periods, cancelled paediatric appointments, emotional stress, feeling unheard. Highlights systemic delays and the “not a priority” attitude. |
| **05:50‑07:20** | **Cultural Barriers** | Pam discusses stigma in Black/Caribbean families (e.g., belief that autism is “a white condition”, lack of words in native languages). Explains how family attitudes differed from her husband’s (white). |
| **07:20‑09:00** | **School Experience & Advocacy** | Walter initially placed in mainstream school with support → isolation, negative labeling, eventual move to specialist school where he thrives. Emphasises need for proper provision, speech & OT, and teacher awareness. |
| **09:00‑10:20** | **Sibling Dynamics** | Walter’s relationships with brothers Stanley (3 yr) and Hugo (1 yr). Highlights patience, differing social needs, and gradual bonding. |
| **10:20‑11:50** | **The *Buster* Book – Content & Impact** | Description of the story (sensory‑processing disorder, ear‑defenders), reading excerpt, and Walter’s excitement (“I’m Buster”). Visual style emphasized. |
| **11:50‑13:00** | **Series Expansion & Representation** | Plans for sequel *Buster Finds the Beat* and upcoming *Afia* (girl with one arm). Pam notes
