So you want to learn about neurodiversity, how to be a better ally and lean into supporting your child in an affirming way.
First of all, LOVE IT! We are learning to unpack old stories that we know or grew up with, make space for that part of ourselves and our history and are listening to those with lived experience more. We are always grateful for those who speak up so that we may listen. More advocates are creating resources, providing input into research and helping spread education so that the public can lean into it. Thank you for listening and learning, so that when we know better, we can do better.
Here are some resources from those in the field which are broadly considered affirming, many from neurodivergent authors themselves. Enjoy!
Books for Children:
A Day with No Words by Tiffany Hammond
When My Brain is Messy by Tania Wieclaw
Just Right for You by Melanie Heyworth
Why Johnny Doesn't Flap: NT is okay! by Clay Morton and Gail Morton
Lulu Is A Rhinoceros by Jason Flom, Allison Flom and Sophie Corrigan
The Brain Forest by Sandhya Menon
Some Brains by Nelly Thomas
The Rainbow Brain by Sandhya Menon (for the AuDHD brain)
Wiggles, Stomps and Squeezes Calm My Jitters Down by Lindsay Rowe Parker
Sometimes Play by Renee Stewart and Nell Harris
My Wandering Dreaming Mind by Merriam Sarcia Saunders and Tammie Lyon
Older Children
A Different Sort of Normal by Abigail Balfe
Square Me Round World by Chelsea Luker
Brain Building Book by Dr. Liz Angoff
Welcome to the Autistic Community by Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (also available as video down below)
Me and My PDA: A Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance for Young People by by Glòria Durà-Vilà and Tamar Levi
The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens by Yenn Purkis and Tanya Masterman
The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon
The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods by Robyn Steward
The Amazingly Disorganised Help Dictionary by Georgia Productions
LGBTIQ related
My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart
My Shadow is Purple by Scott Stuart
Queerly Autistic: The Ultimate Guide for LGBTQIA+ Teens on the Spectrum by Erin Ekins
The Autistic Trans Guide to Life by Yenn Purkis and Wenn Lawson
Resources/Books for Adults:
Start Here: A Guide for Parents of Autistic Kids by Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
Understanding the Autistic Mind by Neuroclastic
What Every Autistic Girl Wishes Her Parents Knew by Autism Women's Network
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity
The Reason I Jump: One Boy's Voice from the Silence of Autism by Naoki Higashida
Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed By You by Jenna Nerenberg
We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation by Eric Garcia
Untypical: How the World Isn't Built for Autistic People and What We Should All Do About It
by Pete Wharmby
Looking after your Autistic Self:A Personalised Self-Care Approach to Managing Your Sensory and Emotional Well-Being by Niamh Garvey
Back from the Brink: Stories of Resilience, Reconciliation, and Reconnection by Tim Chan and Sarah Chan
Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman
Uniquely Human : A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Dr Barry Prizant
"Learning Outside The Lines: Two Ivy League Students With Learning Disabilities And ADHD Give You The Tools For Academic Success and Educational Revolution" Johnathan Mooney
Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Children: A Guide for Autistic Wellbeing by Dr. Luke Beardon (ND Author)
Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason by Alfie Kohn
The Parents' Practical Guide to Resilience for Children Aged 2-10 on the Autism Spectrum: Two to 10 years by Yenn Purkis and Emma Goodall
Talking with Your Child about Their Autism Diagnosis: A Guide for Parents by Raelene Dundon
Self-Reg: How to Help Your Child (and You) Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage with Life by Dr Stuart Shanker
Neurodivergent Narwhals (a whole host of resources for autistic children with adorable infographics)
Different, Not Less by Chloe Hayden
We're All Neurodiverse by Sonny Jane Wise
Podcasts/Video
The Neurodivergent Woman by Monique Mitchelson and Michelle Livock
Two Sides of the Spectrum by Meg Proctor
How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe
ADHD for Smart Ass Women by Tracey Otsuka
Things it's ok to ask for when you have ADHD - Webinar by Ellie Middleton
Connor De Wolfe's Tik Tok
Yo Samdy Sam: YouTube channel on Autism
Different not Less: Youtube Channel by Chloe Hayden
Purple Ella: YouTube Channel on Autism and Disability
Amazing Kids: Autism Spectrum Condition by Amazing Things Project
Let's Talk About ADHD by National Centre for Mental Health
What's It Like to Have ADHD by ADHDVoices
Welcome to the Autistic Community by Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
Talking to my Children About Autism by Reframing Autism
Clinical Skill Resources
The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills by Sonny Jane Wise
Helping Autistic Teens to Manage Anxiety: Strategies and Worksheets using ACT, CBT and DBT skills by Theresa Kidd
The Explosive Child by Dr Ross Greene
Beyond/Behaviour by Mona Delahooke
What's Up Flip Chart by Sandhya Menon
The Amazing Autistic Brain Cards by Glòria Durà-Vilà
Ready Rocket Resources by Tash O'Connor and Bella Martini
Body Signals by St Luke's Resources
Ready to Learn (Interoception kit) by Government of South Australia
The Interoception Curriculum by Kelly Mahler
Sensory Certifcate for SLPs by Jessie Ginsburg
Professional Certificate in Neurodiversification of Clinical and Educational Practice by Ausome Training
On Being a Neurodiversity Affirming Therapist by Rachel Dorsey
Konnect Kids Social Curriculum by AuSome Training
Autism Level Up! for Energy Regulation resources
Spoon Thieves by Nurture Clinical Psychology Neurodivergent Me: Cards to Explore your Neurodivergent Identity by Nurture Clinical Psychology
Parent Workshops
Autism and ADHD Parent Education by Sandhya Menon
Collection of Webinars on Autism by AuSome Training
Collection of Webinars on Autism, Masking, Anxiety and PDA by Kristy Forbes
Understanding the ND Affirming Paradigm by Adina Levy
Self-Reg by Dr Stuart Shanker
At Peace Parents (Workshops for PDA kids) by Dr Casey Ehrlich
Autism and Neurodiversity Masterclass by Autism Camp, a collection of autistic voices around the world
If you're looking for lived experience voices, here are some great Facebook groups to listen to.
Meaningful Speech (for those who communicate via echolalia, or are gestalt language processors)
And Instagram Pages:
Kristy Forbes (autistic/PDAer parent to autistic/PDA children, educator)
Allison Davies (autistic music therapist)
Sandhya Menon (AuDHD Psychologist)
Chloe Hayden (AuDHD actor/advocate)
Lived Experience Educator (Queer/AuDHD/bipolar educator/advocate)
Neurodivergent Researcher (AuDHD researcher)
Yellow Ladybugs (Organisation that helps female-identifying autistics have their voices heard)
Neurowild (AuDHD speech therapist/illustrator, great graphics)
Neurodivergent Rebel (Queer/Trans/AuDHD author)
Nigh.Functioning.Autism (AuDHD/Epilepsy/Black voice/AAC)
ND Narratives (AuDHD/Black voice/Somatic attachment practitioner)
Martin Balsby (Gay/AuDHD/Tourettes voice)
ND Wellness (AuDHD therapist)
Ella Willis (Queer/AuDHD illustrator)
Adina Levy (AuDHD speech therapist)
Tiana Andrews (AuDHD/Dyslexic/Dyspraxic OT)
ActuallyAutisticTikToks (collection of autistic-created TikToks, great way to find creators)
Ceri Sandford (ADHDer-, ADHD coach)
Thank you for listening to the neurodivergent voice. Should there be a resource that you'd like to add to the list that you've found helpful, please do email me at smenon@onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au.