Nightlight Sparkleheart is a unicorn with Unicorn Syndrome. This condition is the pony equivalent of Asperger’s Syndrome. Nightlight loves math, science, and casting spells. She also loves writing and drawing. But she has had a hard time connecting with other people.

Needing friends has always been a scary thought to Nightlight. The world of friendship can be a messy place — and such unpredictability is especially tough for those on the autism spectrum. She doesn’t like the thought of having to risk a broken heart. She doesn’t like having to be surrounded by people who want very different things than what she wants.

Nightlight is one of Princess Skysparkle’s special students — along with her big brother, White Night Shiningheart. Skysparkle is now sending Nightlight on her greatest assignment yet: to discover the wide world of friendship! Nightlight is to move out of the Royal Village and into the town of Friendsville.

It might seem as if Nightlight is being set up for failure — especially when you consider these excerpts from two books:

“Nowadays the majority of individuals on the autistic spectrum are immensely interested in computers. Computers are predictable and logical, features individuals with autism are immediately attracted to. In contrast, the social world for them is totally unpredictable and also uncontrollable. Predictability and control are therefore essential for them in order to make sense of the world, reduce their anxiety and have some kind of control over their environment.”

(https://books.google.com/books?id=eMunoqn0iU8C&pg=PA52#v=onepage&q&f=false)

“The young child with Asperger’s syndrome often seeks predictability and control in play activities while typical peers seek spontaneity and collaboration.”

“When other children are included, the child with Asperger’s syndrom may be dictatorial, tending not to play by conventional rules and considering the other child as subordinate.”

(https://books.google.com/books?id=qJZmsp3ZVG8C&pg=PA77#v=onepage&q&f=false)

Fortunately, Nightlight is not alone. She has her big brother by her side. While she lives in Friendsville, White Night will maintain regular contact with her. She doesn’t fully appreciate it at first — but her brother has been her best friend all along! Her brother has taught her that the world was created for friendship. He teaches that friendship is the meaning of life. His dedication to her will soon inspire her to do the same for others.

As she learns the art and science of friendship, Nightlight makes a great discovery: Social skills are not as natural as they are cracked up to be. In fact, people are notorious for failing to connect with one another.

With the right attitude, being on the autism spectrum does not have to be her limiting factor. Asperger’s Syndrome isn’t necessarily a disability. It can be just a different vantage point in the world of friendship!

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Starponys: Friends with Unicorn Syndrome / Crowns of Friendship © and ™ of M. Wayne Howell ([email protected]), along with all characters therein.

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