The Visible Secret: An Illustration Book for Children with Special Educational Needs

Empowering Children and Promoting Understanding

The Visible Secret is a remarkable illustration book that tells the life stories of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and his family. It goes beyond simply raising awareness by allowing readers to experience the inner world of the characters through different colored filters. The use of red, green, and blue filters represents the perspectives of the SEN child, their parents, and the general public, respectively. This innovative approach aims to deepen understanding and acceptance of children with special educational needs.

The book's unique properties lie in its ability to engage readers and evoke empathy. By looking through the colored filters, readers gain insight into the challenges faced by children with ADHD and their families. The Visible Secret not only educates the public about the struggles of SEN children but also encourages them to embrace diversity and promote inclusivity.

The realization of The Visible Secret involved the use of three colored transparent sheets: red for the SEN child, green for their parents, and blue for the general public. This creative design choice allows readers to visually experience the different perspectives portrayed in the book. Additionally, the book's dimensions of 270mm width and 265mm height, along with the foam printing on the cover, enhance the tactile experience for children with ADHD.

The project, which began in October 2017 and concluded in January 2018, was conducted in Hong Kong. It involved extensive research and collaboration with over 200 families with special educational needs children. The research findings from the Chinese University of Hong Kong demonstrated the effectiveness of the book in helping parents cope with stress and enhance their social networks.

The Visible Secret faced various creative, technical, and research challenges. In addition to incorporating research results, the designers consulted occupational therapists, social workers, and parents to ensure the book accurately portrayed the experiences and provided practical tips for training SEN children. The use of colored filters was a particularly innovative solution that required careful consideration to effectively convey the inner world of the characters.

The Visible Secret, with its powerful storytelling and unique design, has received recognition for its impact. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Social Design category in 2018. This prestigious award honors designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving the quality of life. The Visible Secret exemplifies these qualities by promoting understanding, empathy, and acceptance for children with special educational needs.

Illustration by Bowie Choi