Guidance and care

🌿 For parents/guardians, teachers and group leaders

Sparkly People stories can be used in classrooms, clubs, youth groups or family settings as gentle conversation starters.

They are designed to help children explore ideas such as:

• understanding emotions

• recognising personal strengths

• respecting differences in how people think and feel

• developing empathy and kindness

Parents/Guardians/Teachers may wish to:

• read the story together

• pause to discuss moments in the story

• invite children to reflect on what makes their own sparkle shine

• encourage creative activities such as drawing Sparkly People or Sparkly Animals

There is no right or wrong interpretation of the stories.

They are intended to open conversations and encourage imagination.

Children should always feel free to participate in ways that feel comfortable for them.

🌿 Important note

Sparkly People is a creative storytelling project, not a diagnostic tool.

The stories describe experiences that some neurodivergent people may recognise, but they are not intended to diagnose or label anyone.

If you have concerns about a child or young person’s wellbeing, please seek advice from a qualified professional.

🌿 Where to find support

If you need information or support, these organisations may be helpful:

• National Autistic Society

• ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity

• Tourette’s Action

• YoungMinds

🌿 Our approach

Sparkly People uses neurodiversity-affirming language.

This means recognising that differences in how people think, feel, move and experience the world are part of human diversity.

Many Sparkly People experience:

• strong emotions

• creativity and imagination

• sensitivity to the world around them

• deep empathy

• unique ways of thinking and learning

These qualities can be both strengths and challenges, and Sparkly People stories aim to honour both.

✨ Sparkly People are not broken. Their sparkle simply shines in a different way.

🌟 Sparkly People Activity

Finding Your Sparkle

Sparkly People often notice the world in special ways.

Everyone has a little sparkle inside them.

This activity helps us think about what makes our own sparkle shine.

🌈 Questions to explore together

Teachers or parents can read these aloud and invite children to share ideas.

1. What do you think makes someone a Sparkly Person?

There are no wrong answers. Sparkly People can be kind, curious, creative, thoughtful, or imaginative.

2. What things make your sparkle shine brightly?

Examples might be:

• helping someone

• drawing or creating

• spending time with animals

• solving puzzles

• being in nature

3. When do you feel calm and peaceful?

Sparkly People sometimes need quiet moments to recharge their sparkle.

What helps you feel calm?

4. What wonderful things do you notice that other people sometimes miss?

Sparkly People often notice tiny details like:

• patterns

• colours

• sounds

• feelings in other people

5. If your sparkle had a colour, what colour would it be?

There are no limits. It could be:

• rainbow

• bright gold

• deep blue

• glowing pink

• sparkly green

🎨 Creative activity

Draw your Sparkly Person

Imagine a Sparkly Person.

Think about:

• their sparkle colour

• what makes their sparkle bright

• what helps them protect their sparkle

Draw your Sparkly Person and give them a name.

🌿 Optional reflection

Sparkly People sometimes worry they are “too much”.

But the story reminds us that being different can be something wonderful.

What is one thing about you that makes your sparkle special?

✨ Closing reminder

Every sparkle is different.

And every sparkle matters.