Collection: Shop Neurodiverse

Written for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) sufferers yet useful for anyone wishing make better use of their time, this book is abundant with effective strategies for combating problems related to inattention, procrastination, disorganization, mismanagement of time, and poor planning. It begins by carefully explaining the neurologic underpinnings of ADHD and focusing on specific executive functions--the brain-based processes that assist in planning, initiating, and carrying out tasks to complete projects. Then using exercises designed to identify areas that need addressing, it aims to "tune up" these executive functions for maximum productivity. In contrast to many books on ADHD, which can have good ideas but lack practical ways to apply them in everyday life, this guide includes specific recommendations for improving distractibility, working memory, attention, organization, time management, and response inhibition deficits. With strategies based in the science of how the ADHD brain processes information, this reference bridges the gap between knowledge and action.

This poignant and heartwarming story explores the many faces of sadness and addresses the importance of mental health in a child-friendly way.

A small boy creates a shelter for his sadness so that he can visit it whenever he needs to, and the two of them can cry, talk, or just sit. The boy knows that one day his sadness may come out of the shelter, and together they will look out at the world and see how beautiful it is.

In this timely consideration of emotional wellbeing, Anne Booth has created a beautiful depiction of allowing time and attention for difficult feelings. Stunningly atmospheric illustrations by David Litchfield personify sadness as a living being, allowing young readers to more easily connect with the story's themes of emotional literacy.

Would You Teach a Fish to Climb a Tree? A Different Take on Kids with ADD, ADHD, OCD and Autism provides us with a refreshing and new perspective on these children who are so different from their peers. Co-authored by three practitioners who have had remarkable success working with them, this book is filled with practical tools, stories, observations, and life changing questions that can be used by anyone who has one of these kids in their life and who is looking for something different.

These children are magical and you are sure to fall in love with many of them. There are many magical adults as well ... those who are willing to step beyond what so many experts in the field advocate, into what they actually know to be effective with the children. Parents and siblings and relatives; teachers and therapists and administrators; peers and loved ones and friends ... all will benefit from this groundbreaking book.

Autism - that's being able to count matches really fast and knowing that 7 August 1984 was a Tuesday, right? Well, no. In this book, Bianca Toeps explains in great detail what life is like when you're autistic.

She does this by looking at what science says about autism (and why some theories can go straight in the bin), but also by telling her own story and interviewing other people with autism. Bianca talks in a refreshing and sometimes hilarious way about different situations autistic people encounter in daily life. She has some useful tips for non-autistic people too: what you should do if someone prefers not to look you in the eye, why it is sometimes better to communicate by email, and, most important of all, why it is not a compliment if you say: "But you don't look autistic at all!"

As a parent, a teacher and an Aspie herself, Jennifer O'Toole provides the definitive insider's view of Asperger syndrome. She shows how to help children on the spectrum by understanding how they think and by exploiting their special interests to promote learning. Her strategies work because she thinks like the children that she teaches.

This exciting book is full of effective and fun ways of engaging with children with Asperger syndrome. Jennifer explains how theory of mind difficulties create the need for concrete forms of communication, and provides original methods to inspire imagination through sensorial experiences. In particular she reveals the untapped power of special interests, showing how to harness these interests to encourage academic, social and emotional growth.

Affirming that different doesn't mean defective, this book offers the insight and guidance that parents, educators, and other professionals need to connect with the Asperkids in their life and get them excited about learning.

Maya Van Wagenen, bestselling author of Popular, tells Dolores's story with humor, heartache, and an occasional bit of telenovela flair.

"A striking fiction debut." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An insightful, funny, and realistic coming-of-age story." --Kirkus

Dolores Mendoza is not thriving. She was recently diagnosed with a chronic bladder condition called interstitial cystitis. The painful disease isn't life threatening, but it is threatening to ruin her life.

Just when things seem hopeless, Dolores meets someone poised to change her fate. Terpsichore Berkenbosch-Jones is glamorous, autistic, and homeschooled against her will by her overprotective mother. After a rocky start, the girls form a tentative partnership. Beautiful, talented Terpsichore will help Dolores win back her ex-best friend, Shae. And Dolores will convince Terpsichore's mom that her daughter has the social skills to survive public school. It seems like a foolproof plan, but Dolores isn't always a reliable narrator, and her choices may put her in danger of committing an unforgivable betrayal.

*Gold Medal Winner in the Sexuality / Relationships Category of the 2011 IPPY Awards*

* Honorary Mention in the 2010 BOTYA Awards Women's Issues Category *

Girls with Asperger's Syndrome are less frequently diagnosed than boys, and even once symptoms have been recognised, help is often not readily available. The image of coping well presented by AS females of any age can often mask difficulties, deficits, challenges, and loneliness.

This is a must-have handbook written by an Aspergirl for Aspergirls, young and old. Rudy Simone guides you through every aspect of both personal and professional life, from early recollections of blame, guilt, and savant skills, to friendships, romance and marriage. Employment, career, rituals and routines are also covered, along with depression, meltdowns and being misunderstood. Including the reflections of over thirty-five women diagnosed as on the spectrum, as well as some partners and parents, Rudy identifies recurring struggles and areas where Aspergirls need validation, information and advice. As they recount their stories, anecdotes, and wisdom, she highlights how differences between males and females on the spectrum are mostly a matter of perception, rejecting negative views of Aspergirls and empowering them to lead happy and fulfilled lives.

This book will be essential reading for females of any age diagnosed with AS, and those who think they might be on the spectrum. It will also be of interest to partners and loved ones of Aspergirls, and anybody interested either professionally or academically in Asperger's Syndrome.

With even the best curricula and interventions, students with autism spectrum disorders will not learn unless the classroom environment is organized with their specific needs in mind. Setting Up Classroom Spaces That Support Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders shows through clear and brief text and lots of photos how to determine what type of furniture and materials to choose for various types of classrooms and how to arrange them in a way that creates an effective learning environment while reducing anxiety and preventing problem behaviors. It uses evidence-based practices of structure and visual supports to enhance the well-being and success of students. Examples are given for students across the age span with lots of lists and helpful resources, making it a must-have resource for every classroom. Foreword by Juane Heflin, PhD.

Easy, accessible guidance for addressing an essential element to college success: mental health

While being in college can be an exciting time, it can also be a period of uncertainty, anxiety, loneliness, and even depression. The College Student's Guide to Mental Health is for any college student who wants to understand and maintain mental and emotional health.

Mia Nosanow, a licensed psychologist and college therapist, has drawn upon her more than twenty years of direct experience counseling a diverse college student body to write a comprehensive mental and emotional health manual designed specifically for college students.

Presented in clear, practical language and organized in short chapters, this book breaks down common problems and provides actionable strategies for addressing them. Whether students want to understand challenging emotions, transform negative thoughts, improve relationships, or explore the connection between time management and mental health, these topics and more can be found in this one book -- a valuable tool for college students as well as the families and professionals who support them.

Rudy Simone covers 22 common areas of confusion for someone dating a female with AS and includes advice from her own experience and from other partners in real relationships. She talks with humour and honesty about the quirks and sensitivities that you may come across when getting to know your partner. All the pivotal relationship landmarks are discussed, including the first date, sex, and even having children.

This entertaining and easy-to-read book will be ideal for anyone dating, or in a relationship with, an AS female. Women with AS themselves, and their families and friends, will also enjoy the book and find it useful. Counsellors and other professionals working with women with AS will find the insight offered extremely enlightening.

A William C. Morris Award Finalist

"Brown has written a guidebook of survival and wonder."--The New York Times

"Just brilliant."--Kirkus Reviews

Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited fearlessly explores the intersections of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism--all through the arc of a transcendent coming-of-age story for fans of Renee Watson's Piecing Me Together and Ibi Zoboi's American Street.

Echo Brown is a wizard from the East Side, where apartments are small and parents suffer addictions to the white rocks. Yet there is magic . . . everywhere. New portals begin to open when Echo transfers to the rich school on the West Side, and an insightful teacher becomes a pivotal mentor.

Each day, Echo travels between two worlds, leaving her brothers, her friends, and a piece of herself behind on the East Side. There are dangers to leaving behind the place that made you. Echo soon realizes there is pain flowing through everyone around her, and a black veil of depression threatens to undo everything she's worked for.

Christy Ottaviano Books

Do you know a child who struggles to get started with things or who resists trying something new? Maybe they argue or have trouble joining other kids in conversation and play. Do you hear yourself prompting your child again and again? Do you feel frustrated or stuck, and long for a better way - a more positive way - to engage your child while guiding them toward independence? This book was written for parents, caregivers, professionals and more - to guide you on how to move away from prompting and prodding kids - and toward authentic connections and competent roles. You'll learn how to create a positive learning environment for everyone, and feel empowered as you thoughtfully expand roles and responsibilities.

"In this book, Ms. Murphy explains co-regulation as a way of being with, doing together, and teaching children with learning challenges. Instead of the adult directing and prompting the child through endless steps of an activity, a common method that can quickly become frustrating for all involved, with a co-regulation approach, the adult sets up activities such that the child has a specific role, one in which they are competent, and through this role the child, from the start, successfully participates in the whole, meaningful activity, and--and perhaps most importantly--participates in harmony together with the adult. More learning comes through creating alterations to the child's role (e.g., swapping roles), or adding complexity to the role or to the activity itself. In this way adults expand children's competence through meaningful participation and from a place of harmonious interaction. Activities included as examples are as disparate as cooking, playing games, and playdates. As in her Declarative Language Handbook, Ms. Murphy presents complex material with clarity and compelling, illustrative examples. This book will be invaluable for parents as well as teachers, and therapists across disciplines."

Karen Levine, Ph.D., Psychologist

Lecturer on Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

"When Declarative Language Handbook came out I recommended the book to my Facebook and YouTube followers, many of whom shared with me how grateful they were for recommending the book to them. I will be doing the same with Co-Regulation Handbook. The brilliance of Linda's writing is her ability to make concepts practical and she provides clear and concise directions regarding how to implement strategies. Linda's voice fills a tremendous need in the ADHD world, which for decades has ignored the incredibly important role language plays in building skills. Like Declarative Language Handbook, I consider this book a necessity for parents of kids with ADHD."

Ryan Wexelblatt, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP (ADHD Dude)

"This book is a beautifully written guide on how to form a deep, meaningful and impactful partnership with your child. This is important for any child, but when your child experiences the world differently this partnership is invaluable. I have watched my son (and myself!) grow in so many ways since we started practicing co-regulation, and I feel so much more equipped to help him navigate a world that can be confusing and scary to him. In this book Linda will walk you through the process of learning about co-regulation in an easy to read and fun way. This book is a MUST READ, the knowledge in these pages will help transform the child's experience and set the stage to learn and grow together in a positive and meaningful way."

Charlie's Mom

"Relationship is the key to unlocking true reciprocal communication, intrinsic motivation, and a strong sense of self. Linda Murphy's companion books, Declarative Language Handbook and Co-regulation Handbook, are clear, concise and communicate core principles of person-centered care I find foundational in my work."

Sherri Miller MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of Communicating Potential LLC

Intensive Psychotherapy for Persistent Dissociative Processes brings readers into the consultation room, and into the minds of both patient and therapist, like no other work on the treatment of trauma and dissociation. Richard A. Chefetz marries neuroscientific sophistication with a wealth of extended case histories, following patients over several years and offering several verbatim session transcripts. His unpacking of the emotionally impactful experience of psychodynamic talking therapy is masterfully written, clearly accessible, and singularly thorough.

From neurobiological foundations he builds a working understanding of dissociation and its clinical manifestations. Drawing on theories of self-states and their involvement in dissociative experiences, he demonstrates how to identify persistent dissociation and its related psychodynamic processes, including repetition compulsion and enactment. He then guides readers through the beginning stages of a treatment, with particular attention to the psychodynamics of emotion in both patient and therapist.

The second half of the book immerses readers in emotionally challenging clinical processes, offering insight into the neurobiology of fear and depersonalization, as well as case examples detailing struggles with histories of incest, sexual addiction, severe negativity, negative therapeutic reactions, enactment, and object-coercive doubting. The narrative style of Chefetz's casework is nearly novelistic, bringing to life the clinical setting and the struggles in both patient and therapist. The only mystery in this clinical exposition, as it explores several cases over a number of years, is what will happen next.

In the depth of his examples and in continual, self-reflexive analysis of flaws in past treatments, Chefetz is both a generous guide and an expert storyteller. Intensive Psychotherapy for Persistent Dissociative Processes is unique in its ability to place readers in the consultation room of psychodynamic therapy. With an evidence-focused approach based in neurobiology and a bold clinical scope, it will be indispensible to new and experienced therapists alike as they grapple with the most intractable clinical obstacles.

"What Every Autistic Girl Wishes Her Parents Knew" is the book that many of us wish our parents would have had access to when we were growing up. In this first book release from the Autism Women's Network, the autistic contributors write with honesty and generosity about the emotional needs, sensitivity, and vibrancy of autistic girls.

Though our understanding of autism has greatly expanded, many autistic individuals are still missed or misdiagnosed. This highly accessible book clarifies many ways that autism can present, particularly in people who camouflage to hide their autistic traits.

The authors take the reader step by step through the diagnostic criteria, incorporating the latest research as well as quotes from over 100 autistic contributors that bring that research to life. They also describe many aspects of autism that are not included in the current diagnostic criteria, such as autistic strengths and co-occurring disorders. Readers will learn about highly relevant topics, such as different types of empathy, sensory systems that are not well known, neuro-crash and burn out, and relative versus absolute thinking.

This book provides a deep, current, and neurodiversity-affirmative understanding of the less obvious presentations of autism. It is relevant to all healthcare professionals, educators, family members, autistic individuals, and anyone who is curious about autism. A clinical companion guide, Is This Autism? A Companion Guide for Diagnosing, is available for clinicians who make mental health diagnoses.

In The Autistic Brain, New York Times bestselling author Temple Grandin "has reached a stunning level of sophistication about herself and the science of autism" (The New York Review of Books).

Winner of a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Nonfiction Book

Temple Grandin may be the most famous person with autism, a condition that affects 1 in 88 children. Since her birth in 1947, our understanding of it has undergone a great transformation, leading to more hope than ever before that we may finally learn the causes of and treatments for autism.

Weaving her own experience with remarkable new discoveries, Grandin introduces the advances in neuroimaging and genetic research that link brain science to behavior, even sharing her own brain scan to show which anomalies might explain common symptoms. Most excitingly, she argues that raising and educating kids on the autism spectrum must focus on their long-overlooked strengths to foster their unique contributions.

The Autistic Brain brings Grandin's singular perspective into the heart of the autism revolution.