Removing the Stigma Around Neurodiversity as a Disability

By Kelsey Liddell, Brittany Holness, Isabella Whiley and Lucy O’Neill

The conversation around neurodivergence in literature has evolved significantly over recent years, with a growing number of authors and publishers amplifying the voices and stories of people who are neurodivergent. Historically, those with conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia are often misunderstood or misrepresented in media and literature, mainly due to a lack of understanding. However, we are seeing a small shift toward increased representation, from characters within children's picture books to writers of young adult fiction. This influx of diverse narratives must be more than a trend; it’s a necessary evolution. Representation in literature plays a pivotal role in helping neurodivergent individuals and those around them understand, accept and celebrate differences. In a world that has long stigmatised neurodivergence, not seeing it as a recognised disability, the publishing industry has the power to reshape the narrative and provide readers with relatable stories that foster empathy and understanding.

Education is increasingly focused on neurodivergence, and schools often use literature as a primary means of educating children on this topic. With the beginning of the academic year, autumn usually brings a surge of publications focusing on neurodivergence. This year saw A Different Kind of Parenting: Neurodivergent Families Finding a Way Through Together by Eliza Fricker, and We are the Dyspraxia Champions!: The Amazing Talents, Skills and Everyday Life of Children with Dyspraxia by Alison Patrick. These books help neurodivergent children to understand themselves better, as well as raise awareness among their classmates. 

There has been a significant increase in the availability of picture books about neurodivergent characters. Combining an interactive, colourful book with a deeper meaning has the added advantage of being a relatable and understandable resource for neurodivergent children while also being an exciting read for children to pick up from their bookshelves. These types of books act as a visual representation that caters to the everyday lives that may be overwhelming for a child with neurodivergence, providing an avenue that recognises their everyday experiences. These books can also be a learning tool for parents who might need help understanding how their child feels or what they are going through every day. One such book is the New York Times bestseller A Day With No Words by Tiffany Hammonds. The book explores non-verbal communication as it follows a mother of two autistic sons and the methods used to embrace this manner of speech. Too much! An Overwhelming Day by Jolene Gutiérrez discusses sensory overload and how children may settle themselves when overwhelmed. 

In addition to emerging representation in books for children, there has been an influx in non-fiction titles from neurodivergent authors. One of the key books published this year is How To Be You by Ellie Middleton. Middleton shares tips and skills for living with neurodivergence, which she developed from her own experience. The book looks at organising and controlling your life whilst being you and not forcing yourself to fit into neurotypical norms. After being diagnosed with autism and ADHD, Middleton has gone on

to build an extensive online community of support to help others with their conditions, showing how important real stories from real people are. In Why Am I Like This?, Gemma Styles looks at life in the public eye and navigating her ADHD diagnosis in the digital age, particularly focusing on women’s often overlooked issues. 

Moving away from non-fiction, young adult fiction is another much-needed avenue of representation. It is important to balance factual content in mainstream and popular culture, building on the world of fiction to be more relatable for different audiences. Various books with neurodivergent protagonists have been loved by readers this year. To a Darker Shore by Leanne Schwartz is undoubtedly one of them. This young adult fantasy centres around the autistic protagonist, Aleasta, travelling to avenge her friend, whom she believes was slain by the monster terrorising their kingdom. This novel is an excellent example of representing unheard voices, with a queer love story and a neurodivergent protagonist, whilst also providing readers with escapism as they journey through Hell in this fantastic book. 

Published recently, Elle McNicoll’s Some Like it Cold features autistic protagonist, Jasper, in a small-town romance for young adults. A perfect read for this time of year, readers follow Jasper home for Christmas and watch as drama, love and complex dynamics come to light. Books such as these are crucial for establishing relatable characters and narratives that move away from real life, providing readers with escapism and engaging narratives while also recognising under-represented voices. 

As the publishing industry continues to evolve, neurodivergent representation is becoming more prevalent across various genres, offering a broader range of texts where readers can see themselves and their loved ones, from children's books that provide visual, relatable experiences to aid escapism and belonging to educational content that offers parents and teachers the information to support. For those who are newly diagnosed or seeking to understand their neurodivergence, literature provides a mirror and a guide, fostering a sense of community and reducing the stigma surrounding it. As mainstream and independent publishers alike embrace these narratives, we can look forward to a more inclusive and accessible future beyond the literary world.