Ben Jackson

Children's author and school leader. My Mask out now!
Amazon: rhymes:

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

IT'S OFFICIAL! My book My Mask: The Long List is out today on Amazon and Waterstones UK. A story about masking and remembering we cannot always see what someone is going through on the outside. Amazon UK: https://t.co/1XR4sSX7Ui Waterstones: https://t.co/y6DtpPvfs3

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

@felixras001 Thank you Felix, that really resonates. Being asked lots of questions straight after a long day of holding it together can feel like an interrogation. Calm company first, and talking when they are ready, makes such a difference.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

After school, go gently. A child who masks may have held it together all day, and home is where it finally comes out. Try a calm snack and quiet time first. Connection first, chat later. #AutismMasking #SEND https://t.co/FSJsX0H7NI

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

Cover and character artwork from My Mask: The Long List by Benjamin Jackson, used with permission from Pegasus Publishers.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

Shopping local this Christmas? Any bookshop can order My Mask: The Long List by title or ISBN 978-1-80571-589-4. Or order direct: https://t.co/FSJsX0HFDg #ShopLocal #ChildrensBooks

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

Cover and character artwork from My Mask: The Long List by Benjamin Jackson, used with permission from Pegasus Publishers.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

Who is My Mask: The Long List for? The quiet ones who hold it together all day, and the grown ups who love and teach them. Out now: https://t.co/y6DtpPvNhB #MyMaskTheLongList #AutismMasking

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

@NDSA_UK It is helpful to recognise how much decision-making can go into food planning. Practical, flexible ideas can make everyday routines feel more manageable without adding pressure.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

3 small things that help a child who masks in class: keep the day predictable, check in quietly, and notice the effort behind "fine". The heart of My Mask: The Long List. https://t.co/gGQ7lBjEcY #AutismMasking #SEND

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

@KatyElphinstone I agree. As a children’s author, I want our stories to make room for different ways of communicating and understanding one another. The responsibility for understanding should not rest on autistic people alone.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

@casspartnership Thank you, I’m glad it resonated. Bringing masking and school into the same conversation can help parents better understand what their young person may be carrying.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

Cover and character artwork from My Mask: The Long List by Benjamin Jackson, used with permission from Pegasus Publishers.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

3 signs a child might be masking at school: fine at school and falling apart at home, rarely asking for help, and copying others to fit in. Possible signs, not a diagnosis. https://t.co/gGQ7lBj6nq #Masking #Autism

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

@Starrworld24 Thank you, Tracy. I'm so pleased the cover's contrast and atmosphere spoke to you. It was important to me that the artwork carried the heart of Lily's story even before the blurb. I really appreciate your thoughtful words.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

It's official! My Mask: The Long List is out now on Amazon 📚💛 Meet Lily, a young autistic girl hiding a long list of feelings behind her mask. A picture book about masking, autism and belonging. Created with AI. https://t.co/gGQ7lBj6nq #MyMaskTheLongList #Autism

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

Such an important point. In my experience as a headteacher, small changes like predictable routines, quiet spaces and adults who understand that a calm child may be working very hard to cope can make a real difference. Neurodivergent pupils thrive when school adapts to them, not the other way round.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

Thank you Meena, really helpful perspective from your time as HMI and head. I agree that small, well planned groups that run alongside class learning, with staff who truly know the subject, make inclusion real rather than just a label. Pace over age is a point worth more discussion.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

Cover and character artwork from My Mask: The Long List by Benjamin Jackson, used with permission from Pegasus Publishers.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

I wrote My Mask because some children look fine all day, then finally let go once they feel safe. Out now: https://t.co/gGQ7lBj6nq #MyMaskTheLongList #AutismMasking

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

@emmiellifluous Thank you for sharing this so openly. Realising later in life that masking was a survival strategy is a lot to untangle, and being still on that road is not a failing. I hope you find more and more spaces where you can simply be yourself.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

@Counselling_UK Making space for autistic people to be themselves, without pressure to perform, matters so much. Self-acceptance can grow when people are met with understanding rather than expectations to mask.

[Ben Jackson @BenBenjackson]

@AuthorFranWong Exactly, Frances. I love that distinction. When reading is about curiosity and enjoyment, there is room for every child to find a way into a story.