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Parkland Buddy Volunteer’s Book Embraces Neurodiversity, Empathy

by Faran Fagen September 30, 2026

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Parkland Buddy Volunteer’s Book Embraces Neurodiversity, Empathy 3

Coral Springs Charter senior Sydney Leath. {Parkland Buddy Sports}

Tips for handling anxiety, facts on neurodiversity and autism, and a friendship challenge are just a few of the puzzle pieces that fit together in the book created by Parkland Buddy Sports volunteer and Coral Springs Charter senior Sydney Leath.

The Mystery of the Missing Slice is a heartwarming story that helps children discover how empathy, patience, and kindness can build meaningful friendships with neurodivergent peers. Created as part of a Girl Scout Gold Award project, this book encourages conversations that help every child feel seen, valued, and included

Her project was inspired, in part, by her younger brother Anthony, a Parkland Buddy Sports athlete since he was a little boy.

“Parkland Buddy Sports has been so meaningful to me and my family,” Sydney said. “Seeing what Parkland Buddy Sports has done for Anthony is truly what inspired me to do this project.”

As part of her Gold Award project, Sydney created educational materials for students and families about neurodiversity, inclusion, and what it means to be a supportive friend—and she turned that message into a book.

Sydney, a senior at Coral Springs Charter, is a cheer captain, vice president of the National Honor Society (NHS), has a 5.2 grade point average (GPA), and ranks in the top five percent of her class. She has been a Girl Scout in the USA for 13 years.

Some of the topics covered in The Mystery of the Missing Slice include: everyone communicates differently; friendship doesn’t require people to be the same; small acts of kindness make a big difference; and neurodiversity makes our communities stronger.

Sydney didn’t stop with the creative aspect of the project. She is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from her book, available at Amazon for $11.84, to Parkland Buddy Sports.

“We are so proud of Sydney and so touched that her experience as a volunteer with us inspired her to help other young people better understand the importance of friendship, acceptance and inclusion,” said a statement from Parkland Buddy Sports.

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Author Profile

Faran Fagen

Faran Fagen, who teaches high school journalism, graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Journalism degree and from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Education. He's worked at The Palm Beach Post, SunSentinel, and MLB.com. He lives in Coral Springs with his wife and two children. Oh, and his three dogs -- who all think that they're his favorite.