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  • Sandhya Menon

Neurodiversity Affirming Resources

Updated: Nov 17

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, provi


ding 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


The Rainbow Brain by Sandhya Menon (for the AuDHD brain)


Some Brains by Nelly Thomas


Me and My PDA: A Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance for Young People by by Glòria Durà-Vilà and Tamar Levi


A Different Sort of Normal by Abigail Balfe

Brain Building Book by Dr. Liz Angoff

Welcome to the Autistic Community by Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (also available as video down below)


The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical 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


Wiggles, Stomps and Squeezes Calm My Jitters Down by Lindsay Rowe Parker


My Wandering Dreaming Mind by Merriam Sarcia Saunders and Tammie Lyon


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


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



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



Body Signals by St Luke's Resources

Ready to Learn (Interoception kit) by Government of South Australia

The Interoception Curriculum by Kelly Mahler


Standing up for Myself Book for Neurodivergent Kids and Teens (9-15 years)


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



If you're looking for lived experience voices, here are some great Facebook groups to listen to.



And Instagram Pages:




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.



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