Neurodiversity For Dummies

A quick and easy way to understand neurodiversity as written by neurodivergent people and our families

Neurodiversity For Dummies is your essential guide in understanding neurodivergent conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. This quick and easy guide is perfect for anyone needing to know more about neurodiversity. And that?s all of us?because recent estimates say that 15-20% of the world?s population have some form of neurodivergence. Your life is filled with neurodivergent people that you know and love, whether you realize it yet or not.

It?s time to learn to support and include the neurodivergent among us, and to understand how neurodiversity impacts society and the workplace. This is for the neurodivergent person wanting to thrive in life, for parents and caregivers seeking success for their child, and for teachers who are working to make a difference in their students? lives. Filled with practical advice, Neurodiversity for Dummies also provides a helping hand to service providers, assistance for workplace managers and colleagues, and understanding for family members and friends.

Imagine a world where we all understood ourselves better and appreciated more deeply the differences in others. No matter how your own brain thinks, Neurodiversity for Dummies is for you. Check out this jargon-free introduction for an essential overview.

• Explore the Spectrum of Neurodiversity: Understand in plain language the world of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent conditions.
• Unlock Hidden Talents: Move yourself beyond common myths and misconceptions to discover how neurodiversity actually works. Learn how neurodiversity has always been with us, why society needs neurodivergent traits, and how neurodiversity can be a wellspring of innovation, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking.
• Discover Yourself: Whether you are a neurodivergent person or not, learn how to understand your own normalcy, advocate for your needs, and build meaningful connections with those who think and experience the world differently than you.
• Change the World Around You: Be empowered through simple steps you can take to create inclusive environments for neurodivergent individuals in your school or workplace. Uncover proven strategies that cultivate a culture of acceptance and respect, where the unique perspectives of all individuals are valued and celebrated.

We believe in providing parents with better supports, empowering individuals with information, and shaping a world where we are all seen and understood. With an author team composed of neurodivergent individuals and parents writing together, Neurodiversity for Dummies is an example of the power of neurodiversity when put into action. It?s why we wrote this for you.

Don?t miss your chance to embark on this transformative journey. Order your copy of Neurodiversity for Dummies now to better understand yourself and others, and to join the movement that is revolutionizing how we understand and support the diversity of the human mind.

Introduction 1

About This Book 2

Foolish Assumptions 3

Icons Used in This Book 3

Beyond the Book 4

Where to Go from Here 4

Part 1: Understanding Neurodiversity 5

Chapter 1: What Is Neurodiversity? 7

The Normalcy of Neurodiversity 8

Understanding Neurodivergent Conditions 16

Exploring the Neurodiversity Movement 19

Chapter 2: Disability Is Not a Dirty Word 21

First Things First: Why We Fear Disability 21

What Disability Actually Means 22

Neurodivergence and Disability 25

The Disability Rights Movement 26

You’re Not Alone: Building Community 27

Chapter 3: Someone You Know Is Neurodivergent 29

Neurodiversity Has Always Been Here 30

Neurodivergence Is Rather Common 31

The Role of Neurodiversity Today 33

Extraordinary People: Ordinary Traits 35

Chapter 4: Why Is Our World Not Yet Neuroinclusive? 37

The Myth of Normality 37

In education 38

In therapy 38

In the workplace 39

Why Things Are Designed to Look Like Us 39

Falling Into a Fixed Mindset 40

Acknowledging Barriers to Inclusion 41

Barriers society places in front of neurodivergent people 41

Additional barriers neurodivergent people must navigate 42

Part 2: Recognizing the Types of Neurodivergence 43

Chapter 5: Understanding Neurotypes 45

Introducing Neurotypes 45

Understanding How Neurotypes Differ 46

Uncovering Neurodivergent Strengths 48

Seeing How Doctors Label Neurotypes 49

Chapter 6: Understanding Autism 53

What Is Autism? 53

How Society Talks About Autism 57

How the Autistic Brain Thinks 58

How the Autistic Brain Organizes Thoughts 61

How the Autistic Brain Uses Focus 63

How the Autistic Brain Uses Memory 64

How the Autistic Brain Uses Senses 64

How the Autistic Brain Processes Emotions and Exercises Empathy 65

How the Autistic Brain Communicates 66

How the Autistic Brain Socializes 70

How Autistic Bodies Respond 73

Empowering Autistic People 78

Closely Associated Conditions 79

Myths and Misconceptions 81

Chapter 7: Understanding ADHD 83

Talking about ADHD 84

Understanding ADHD Traits 85

Enhancing Daily Living 91

Empowering Those with ADHD 96

Myths and Misconceptions 97

Chapter 8: Understanding Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, and Dyspraxia 99

Understanding Dyslexia 100

Understanding Dyscalculia 106

Understanding Dysgraphia 110

Understanding Dyspraxia 112

Myths and Misconceptions 114

Chapter 9: Understanding Associated Conditions 117

Understanding Tourette’s 118

Understanding OCD 119

Understanding Bipolar 122

Understanding Cerebral Palsy 125

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis 126

Understanding Intellectual Disabilities 127

Aging and Acquired Impairments 129

Thinking About Mental Health 130

Myths and Misconceptions 132

Part 3: Navigating Life as a Neurodivergent Person 133

Chapter 10: Understanding Yourself as a Neurodivergent Person 135

Seeking a Diagnosis 136

Profiling Your Neurodivergent Traits 138

Finding Success 146

Chapter 11: Understanding Others 147

Recognizing How Others Think and Experience the World 147

Practicing Compassionate Curiosity 149

Chapter 12: Improving Personal Effectiveness 153

Understanding the Impact of Trauma 154

Choosing a Productive Mindset 157

Cultivating Habits of Effectiveness 160

Achieving Your Goals 167

Building Resilience to Overcome Setbacks 169

Part 4: Thriving as a Neurodivergent Person 171

Chapter 13: Discovering What It Means to Thrive 173

The Keys to Thriving: Coping and Resilience 174

Understanding What You Need to Thrive 174

Tapping Into Support Systems 178

Community: Finding People to Nurture You 182

Cultivating Self-Advocacy 183

Chapter 14: Thriving in Educational Settings 185

Understanding Yourself or Your Child as Neurodivergent 186

Enhancing the Elementary School Journey 186

Advocating for Yourself in High School 188

Navigating Post-Secondary Education 189

Chapter 15: Thriving in the Workplace 191

Formulating a Strategy for Employment 192

Exploring Career Opportunities 199

Being Effective at Work 205

Becoming a Great Employee 211

Chapter 16: Thriving in Relationships and Communities 213

Thriving in Personal Relationships 214

Dating as a Neurodivergent Person 219

Our Children: Parenting as a Neurodivergent Person 220

Thriving in Friendships 222

Thriving in Communities 225

Part 5: Empowering Neurodistinct People 229

Chapter 17: Discovering Universal Perspectives and Helpful Strategies 231

Take Time to Understand Your Perspective 231

Adopt a Broad Understanding of Neurodiversity 232

Practice Strategies That Empower 236

Chapter 18: Understanding Differences and Embracing Strengths 241

Understanding Executive Functioning 242

Embracing Communication Differences 243

Decoding Social Behavior 244

Making Sense of Sensory Differences 245

Saying “Heck, Yes!” to Stimming 247

Appreciating Neurodivergent Strengths 247

Chapter 19: Caring for a Neurodivergent Child 251

Understanding Common Barriers 252

Coping as a Parent or Caregiver 257

Mapping and Securing Your Support 263

Advocating for Your Child’s Needs 264

Planning for the Future 270

Chapter 20: Supporting Neurodivergent Students 277

Valuing Neurodiversity in the Classroom 277

Understanding Barriers Educators Face 278

Coping and Succeeding as Educators 281

Empowering Students in a K-12 Setting 283

Empowering Students in Post-Secondary Education 286

Chapter 21: Empowering Neurodivergent Employees and Colleagues 289

Appreciating the Role of Neurodiversity in the Workplace 290

Updating How We Work 294

Employing Affirming Practices 298

Part 6: Building a Neuroinclusive World 307

Chapter 22: Designing for Universal Inclusion 309

Adopting Principles of Universal Design 310

Putting Universal Design into Practice 312

Chapter 23: Supporting Parents and Caregivers 315

Practicing Empathy 316

Providing Support 320

Incorporating Families into Daily Life 322

Chapter 24: Shaping Society 323

Laying a Firm Foundation 323

Creating a Solid Frame 325

Installing Networks 326

Beginning to Build 327

Conducting Accurate Research 330

Turning the Power On 331

Renovating How We Provide Therapy 333

Making Sure Everyone’s Work Is Seen 334

Part 7: the Part of Tens 335

Chapter 25: Ten Key Concepts about Neurodiversity 337

Neurodiversity Is Normal 337

A Shift Is Needed in Our Perspective 338

Self-Advocacy Is Essential 339

People and Families Need Better Support 339

Compassionate Curiosity Is Key 340

Accepting People for Their Differences 340

Including Others for Their Abilities 341

Expanding Awareness of Neurodiversity 341

Supporting Identity and Community 341

Making Society Accessible for Everyone 342

Chapter 26: Ten Ways to Help Neurodivergent People Thrive 343

Understand Neurodiversity as Normal 344

Appreciate Everyone’s Differences and Strengths 344

Practice Compassionate Curiosity 345

Believe in Neurodivergent People 345

Rethink How You View Accommodations 346

Advocate with Neurodivergent People 346

Work to Include Everyone 347

Help Neurodivergent People Overcome Barriers 347

Educate Others about Neurodiversity 348

Practice Universal Design 348

Appendix 349

Index 355

John Marble is a workforce policy, innovation, and neurodiversity strategist. He is the founder of Pivot Neurodiversity. Khushboo Chabria is a neurodiversity specialist, career coach, and speaker on a mission to advocate for disability rights. Ranga Jayaraman is director of Neurodiversity Pathways and a leader in digital transformation.