Comedian Ashley Blaker has written a book about bringing up children with special needs.

In Normal Schmormal, which is to be published in July, the stand-up shares his experiences as the father of six children, three of whom have additional educational needs.

He will also tour a live show with the same title, after debuting it at the Edinburgh Fringe this August.

Subtitled ‘my occasionally helpful guide to parenting kids with special needs’, the book is described by publisher  HarperNonFiction as ‘part-memoir and part how-to guide ritten with humour and compassion’.

Blaker said: ‘Being a parent is tough and raising kids with special needs is even tougher. That’s why I am delighted to share our story with readers and hopefully provide some much-needed light relief.

‘Thankfully this book was very easy to write since our kids provide so much comic material it could have stretched to five volumes.’

Anna Mrowiec, senior commissioning editor at HarperNonFiction acquired the rights to the book from  Blaker ’s agent Vivienne Clore.  She said: ‘This book is a masterpiece, able to make you howl with laughter on one page and cry on the next.

‘Ashley’s devotion to his children shines through at every juncture – while also finding great humour in the frustrations and follies of everyday life in the Blaker household. I can’t wait to see readers fall in love with his wonderful children in the same way I have.’

Two of Blaker’s children are autistic  while his adopted daughter has Down’s syndrome. Between the children there is ADHD, speech and language disorders, heart defects, hearing loss, mobility issues, sensory needs and gastroenterological problems. Blaker jokes: ’You know you’ve got a lot going on when Great Ormond Street give you your own parking space.’

The publisher’s blurb for the book says it ‘will appeal to any parent who believes love and acceptance are the most important building blocks of a happy family’.

Blaker, an Orthodox Jewish comedian, has drawn on his family before, including for his BBC Radio 4 comedy 6.5 Children, which has been renewed for a second series due later this year.

He came into comedy with his schoolfriend Matt Lucas, going on to produce   Little Britain and Rock Profile, and co-creating The Matt Lucas Awards.

• Normal Schmormal: My occasionally helpful guide to parenting kids with special needs will be published on July 200 in the UK and on September 12 in the US. Order via Bookshop.org, below, which supports local bookstores, or via Amazon for £14.95.