About Me

Hey, I’m Daniel, a professional screenwriter, children’s book author, creative consultant, and registered social worker. I’m Autistic, ADHD, and probably a little OCD–OMG, right?

I’ve loved creative writing and watching TV and movies ever since I was a kid, and have advocated for the autism community since I gave my first PowerPoint presentation about my needs and strengths to my high school teachers over 20 years ago.

I had no Autistic role models growing up. I didn’t see any confirmed Autistic characters onscreen until I was in university, and even then most of them were highly stereotypical. It made me feel weird, invalid, and alone. I can give mental health counselling to Autistic clients all day (and I do!) but it’s hard to address the wider issue if people don’t feel seen and understood, and that includes in the media they consume. That’s why I earned a certificate in Children’s Media from Centennial College in 2016–so I could create those meaningful stories featuring powerful and authentic Autistic characters so that the next generation can grow up feeling like they belong in this world and in their communities.

And that’s what I’ve been doing.

In 2020, I released “Do You Want to Play? Making Friends with an Autistic Kid”, a picture book about two kids who meet on the playground and each learn to play a slightly different way in order to become friends. It has sold thousands of copies, earning a 4.7/5 rating on Amazon and the following testimonial from renowned autism researcher Dr. Tony Attwood: “Autistic children have a different way of initiating and maintaining play with their peers. This endearing and educational story illustrates those differences and provides guidance in how to play together. Autistic children can be great friends.”

In 2022, Mattel enlisted my writing and consulting services to create the first Autistic character in the long-running ‘Thomas and Friends’ franchise, Bruno the Brake Car. I developed his initial character descriptions and wrote or co-wrote the scripts for many of the character’s appearances across TV episodes, podcasts, and the one-hour “Mystery of Lookout Mountain” special. I also co-developed episode concepts for Bruno’s “All Aboard” YouTube series and provided consulting and notes for scripts from other writers featuring the character. Bruno’s been nominated for a Diversity Media award and has been viewed by millions, providing a role model for Autistic children and education on neurodiversity for non-Autistic viewers.

Look, it’s not just about autism. I want to tell powerful, inclusive, emotional stories that change the world for disenfranchised and marginalized groups.

Feel free to check out my portfolio! Got a creative project for us to work on together? Or are you an Ontario resident in need of mental health counselling? Drop me a line down below and let’s make a change.