A story about identity, told the right way: Morven’s First Autistic Pride
Over the past six years, we’ve had the privilege of getting to know and work alongside Marion McLaughlin. In that time, one thing has always been clear: everything they do is grounded in a deep commitment to helping people better understand Autistic identity and to creating space for pride, visibility and acceptance.
Their new children’s book, Morven’s First Autistic Pride, is a natural extension of that work.
Launching ahead of Autistic Pride Day, the book is designed to help young readers understand what it means to be Autistic in a way that is positive, accessible and genuinely reflective of lived experience. It follows Morven, a young dragon, as she begins to ask questions about who she is. Through those conversations, she comes to understand that being Autistic isn’t something to fix or hide, but rather something to recognise and value.
What stands out immediately is the clarity of the storytelling. This isn’t a book that talks down to its audience or leans on complexity. It introduces ideas like identity, difference, communication and sensory experience in a way that feels natural - giving children, families and educators a starting point for conversations that really matter. That authenticity runs through the entire project.
Marion brings both lived experience and professional depth, from their time as a primary school teacher and charity CEO through to their current work as Managing Director of Aurora Autistic Consulting and founder of Autistic Pride Aberdeen. This is not a theoretical piece of work; it comes from years of direct engagement with the Autistic community and a clear understanding of what meaningful representation looks like. The same is true of the illustration.
The book has been brought to life by TMD’s Connor Polley, an Autistic illustrator and digital creator. Connor worked closely with Marion to develop a visual world that feels warm, engaging and true to the story being told. At a time when AI-generated content is becoming more prevalent, every illustration in this book has been created by Connor, by hand and digitally, reflecting a deliberate choice to prioritise human creativity and lived experience.
Connor and Marion
Speaking about the project, Connor said: “It is fantastic to be working with Marion again, this time on a completely new concept. This is the first time TMD has contributed to a published book so it’s been a really interesting learning curve. Being part of this has meant a lot to me. When I was younger, I didn’t really see anything that reflected my experience in a positive way. Working with Marion to create Morven, Cal and their world, knowing it will help other people feel seen and understood, is something I’m very proud of.”
The project builds on the wider work of Autistic Pride Aberdeen, which continues to create spaces for celebration and visibility across Scotland.
For us, it’s been a privilege to see this come together, not just because of the quality of the final book, but because of what it represents. Thoughtful, well-crafted communication that genuinely reflects the people it’s for.
Morven’s First Autistic Pride will be available in print and digital formats from mid-June.
