91��ɫ

Morgan Tillisch, “I Can Share My Toys,” 2024.

For her senior exhibition project, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (91��ɫ) alum Morgan Tillisch �24 (Illustration) wrote and illustrated a book to help neurodiverse kids feel comfortable sharing. With the help of her professors and the Lubar Innovation Center, Tillisch recently published �I Can Share My Toys� through .

�There were a lot of factors that influenced me with my project/book,� explains Tillisch, who minored in Psychology. �One of my sisters is disabled, so I’ve been interested in the disability community for quite some time. My other sister was a Special Education teacher for about 6 years and she influenced me to get into it as well! So as of right now I’m in my third year of being a Special Education assistant.�

�I Can Share My Toys� is a Social Story, a type of social learning tool created and defined by . Tillisch�s book deals with the emotions that arise when sharing something special, like a favorite toy. �I asked the teachers I work with what would be a good social story and they suggested sharing,� says Tillisch. �[T]hat can be a difficult topic for kids and especially kids with autism. My main purpose for this book is to help people with autism, and I hope that it allows them to be seen, acknowledged and appreciated. I really want to make more books like this in the future.�

After encouragement from Andy Rash, associate professor of Illustration at 91��ɫ, Tillisch decided to pursue publication for her senior exhibition project. She met with Drew Maxwell in the 91��ɫ Lubar Innovation Center, who �suggested I self-publish to see where the interest is and to build up my online platform,� says Tillisch. Tillisch then submitted her self-published book to .

�Andy Rash was a huge help with this project,� continues Tillisch. �I had him as a professor for [Senior Exhibition] thesis and I was taking his Picture Book Illustration class, and he was so informative and inspiring for both.�

Morgan Tillisch, “I Can Share My Toys,” 2024.

Tillisch also appreciated being able to share �I Can Share My Toys� with the greater 91��ɫ and Milwaukee community at the 2024 Senior Exhibition. �Being able to put my work up and have people from all around Milwaukee see it was really great. I got to have some really great conversations with autistic folks, teachers, and parents,� Tillisch finishes.

Keep up with Tillisch on , check out �I Can Share My Toys� through and explore 91��ɫ�s Illustration major.