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“Neuro spicy—I really like this term that’s been going around now, as all of us are different. Every one of us is on our own unique journeys. The way we express ourselves, the way we experience the world, is different,” says holistic wellness advocate Stephanie Zubiri.

Zubiri recently celebrated the first anniversary of her wellness platform Soulful Feasts, which she has used to advocate for causes like self-discovery, living with purpose and intention, and also celebrating neurodiversity. 

Neurodiversity is one of the social and medical issues that remain surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding, especially in the Philippines. There’s also a case of underreporting or insufficiency in the measurement of statistics. On average, however, it has been found that one out of 100 Filipinos are on the autism spectrum.

Autism spectrum disorder, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is a “developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.” This often manifests as problems with social communication and interaction, differences in ways of learning, moving, or paying attention, and may have restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests.

Zubiri, whose young son Max is on the autism spectrum, is a staunch advocate for early detection and intervention. It is because of early detection, diagnosis, and therapy that her son has “done a full 180,” she shares in a release. “Max is a great example for early detection and early intervention. He firmly advocates for himself and is very proud of his journey.”

This journey is also what inspired Zubiri’s first ever children’s book, entitled “Chalky the Chameleon.” The self-published book is the first in a series of four children’s books that aim to celebrate neurodiversity.

“Chalky the Chameleon” follows a little white chameleon who can’t change color, as he sets off on a journey to discover the rainbow within himself. “The story is for everyone, young and old,” Zubiri says. “It’s a journey of self-discovery and a reminder to allow ourselves to shine.”

Aside from being inspired by her son’s story, the book and Zubiri’s Soulful Feasts platform were also inspired by her own journey. “I think for a really long time, I lived my life in shades of gray… There were a lot of difficulties that I had to come to terms with. And the first year of Soulful Feasts was this beautiful celebration of the real human experience, which is to celebrate all our emotions—good and challenging—to really sit with them, and to really feel,” Zubiri says. 

The book “Chalky the Chameleon” was illustrated by Vico Cham, a multi-awarded artist on the autism spectrum. 

The book’s limited edition hardbound copies are sold at P1,000, the proceeds of which aim to support Project Inclusion Network and Best Buddies Philippines, which support and promote inclusivity for neurodivergent and differently abled persons. Softbound copies of the book are also available for P250 each.

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