Can You See Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca WestcottDescription
Can You See Me by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott is the story of Tally, a girl entering sixth grade who has autism spectrum disorder. Tally has many concerns about going into sixth grade, which is in a different school building than fifth grade. She is afraid of getting lost, she is afraid of older kids giving swirlies, and when she learns that her friend likes Luke, the boy who bullied her through the lower grades, she has the added fear that she will be around him more often.
When people have an understanding of Tally’s experience of the world, it makes life a lot easier–but most people don’t understand, and even if they do, they are not always able or willing to make accommodations for her. But, as Tally writes in the journal, what makes her different can also be a superpower.
Reading about Tally’s experience was emotionally challenging, as the way it is written makes it clear that when people see Tally’s responses to things she is asked to do, they perceive that she is being difficult, rebellious, or even throwing a fit. But Tally has pathological demand avoidance (PDA) which makes following direct instructions impossible for her. People can word instructions for her less directly, such as suggestions or choices, and this makes it possible for her to comply. Otherwise, she must squish her brain in different directions, such as waiting before getting started or completing the task slowly. Sometimes, however, she is unable to do this, and she might respond by yelling or with another action that looks like refusal, but is actually her trying to cope with the intense anxiety PDA brings on. From the point of view of her parents or sister, who cannot experience what happens to her, it seems as though leaving the house can be nearly impossible. Carefully wording everything that is said to her would take practice, patience, and lots of empathy.
One of my favorite parts of the book is the relationship that Tally builds with a teacher that begins as an amusing misunderstanding but develops into an important ally at school. It is helpful to see how both Tally and the teacher navigate communication.
When people have an understanding of Tally’s experience of the world, it makes life a lot easier–but most people don’t understand, and even if they do, they are not always able or willing to make accommodations for her. But, as Tally writes in the journal, what makes her different can also be a superpower.
Reading about Tally’s experience was emotionally challenging, as the way it is written makes it clear that when people see Tally’s responses to things she is asked to do, they perceive that she is being difficult, rebellious, or even throwing a fit. But Tally has pathological demand avoidance (PDA) which makes following direct instructions impossible for her. People can word instructions for her less directly, such as suggestions or choices, and this makes it possible for her to comply. Otherwise, she must squish her brain in different directions, such as waiting before getting started or completing the task slowly. Sometimes, however, she is unable to do this, and she might respond by yelling or with another action that looks like refusal, but is actually her trying to cope with the intense anxiety PDA brings on. From the point of view of her parents or sister, who cannot experience what happens to her, it seems as though leaving the house can be nearly impossible. Carefully wording everything that is said to her would take practice, patience, and lots of empathy.
One of my favorite parts of the book is the relationship that Tally builds with a teacher that begins as an amusing misunderstanding but develops into an important ally at school. It is helpful to see how both Tally and the teacher navigate communication.
Would I Teach This Book?
Can You See Me is co-written by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott. Rebecca Westcott is an educator who has published several books and Libby Scott is a younger author for whom Can You See Me? was her first book. She was still a child at the time she cowrote it with Westcott. Scott lent her experiences of having autism spectrum disorder to writing the book. The descriptions in the book feel true, and in the sections that serve as Tally’s journal tell us, the book does give an idea of what having autism spectrum disorder is like for one person.
I checked out Can You See Me? from the Wheaton Library in order to see if it would be a good choice for my classroom library, and I think that it would be. We read Rules by Cynthia Lord, and while the experience of the main character is that of a girl of a similar age whose brother has autism spectrum disorder, the experience of the brother and his character development are lacking, so Can You See Me? would be a good companion. In the future, I might also consider teaching it. It was published in 2021, and there is merit to offering both current books and those that have lasted a few decades. I am curious about the sequel, Do You Know Me?, and would consider reading it.
View all my reviews
I checked out Can You See Me? from the Wheaton Library in order to see if it would be a good choice for my classroom library, and I think that it would be. We read Rules by Cynthia Lord, and while the experience of the main character is that of a girl of a similar age whose brother has autism spectrum disorder, the experience of the brother and his character development are lacking, so Can You See Me? would be a good companion. In the future, I might also consider teaching it. It was published in 2021, and there is merit to offering both current books and those that have lasted a few decades. I am curious about the sequel, Do You Know Me?, and would consider reading it.
View all my reviews
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