- By Shivani Chaudhari
- BBC News, Northamptonshire
Image source, Lyndsay Smith
Aston, who has autism and ADHD, said it was “pretty cool” talking to friends about his book
An 11-year-old boy who says his autism is his “superpower” has sold more than 700 copies of his book and donated £1,000 from the proceeds to an astronomy charity.
Aston was eight when he wrote Things About Space with an accompanying audio version to help neurodivergent children or those who struggle to read.
The family, from Northampton, donated money from the sales to UK Astronomy.
Aston said it was “pretty cool” when friends asked him about the book.
A housing developer meanwhile bought a bunch of the books and distributed copies in local schools.
The first book sold out and he had to release a second edition last year.
“Sometimes the kids at school, they ask me ‘how do I make one of my own [books]?’ and I tell them that anybody can do it if they really put their mind to it,” said Aston, speaking to BBC Radio Northampton.
His mother said she was “incredibly proud” of him.
Image source, Lyndsay Smith
Aston’s book was released as a second edition last year due to demand
Aston, who also has ADHD, says he dreams of travelling to space when he is older.
The book has a QR code on each page and readers who have scanned it are transported to the audio version.
The British astronaut Tim Peake also contacted the family after learning about Aston’s space book – and signed a copy for him.
Dr. Thomas Hughes is a UK-based scientist and science communicator who makes complex topics accessible to readers. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
