Hayden, a former teacher and social worker, has written several books about her work with these children. While her books often draw on her real-life experiences and the themes are based on real issues, they are not literal accounts of specific individuals.
The book "One Child" focuses on a young boy with severe autism who is placed in a foster home. The story explores the challenges of caring for such a child and the bond that develops between the foster mother and the boy.
While the book is fiction, Hayden's work with children with special needs lends credibility to the themes and challenges explored in the story.