"Neurodiversity has helped me understand myself and provided a sense of relief that Im a whole neurodivergent person functioning as my brain intends."
"Its provided me with the language to advocate for myself."
"I no longer hated myself. I no longer felt broken. I found a sense of community. A sense of belonging"
This affirming and thoughtful guide outlines how and why we need to fundamentally shift our thinking about neurodivergent people. We need to accept differences rather than framing them as a problem, abnormality or disorder. Welcome to the neurodiversity paradigm.
At times challenging and radical, Sonny Jane Wise explores the intersections of neurodivergence with disability, gender, sexuality and race. Through interviews, narratives, and the lens of their own raw experiences, they consider how current systems and structures that impact neurodivergent people are rooted in outdated capitalist and racist frameworks, and how these need to change and adapt to be neurodiversity affirming. Sonny Janes words are a rallying cry to challenge the pathology paradigm. They offer nine principles for facilitating change, reflected in deeply personal stories from the neurodivergent community.
Powerful and persuasive, this book is a clarion call for a kinder and more neurodiversity affirming society.
Sonny Jane Wise is a non-binary and disabled Autistic Bipolar ADHDer. Sonny is an internationally recognised speaker, author, consultation and creator as well as the founder of the Drop In Care Space; a peer led community space for LGBTQIA+, disabled and neurodivergent individuals to connect with community, activities and resources. Sonny was diagnosed as a child and grew up only hearing a deficit narrative about their neurodivergence. Since then, they have gone on to build an audience of over 100, 000 people online, wrote The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills and has worked with organisations around Australia to help change the narrative on neurodiversity and neurodivergence.
* Author with lived experience and a growing 70k strong platform- Sonny Jane Wise has a dedicated and growing Instagram @livedexperineceeducator where they share tips, explanations that directly engages with the books audience of neurodivergent people, parents and allies.
* Radical interpretation of neurodiversity sets this book apart from other neurodiversity guides, sensitively making the argument that diagnosis such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder should also fall under the term neurodivergent.
* Appeals to a wide cross audience - with narratives and interviews from people from people of colour, across cultures, age ranges, genders and sexuality.
Ellie Middleton, Autistic ADHDer, content creator, speaker and writer
Sonny has been such a huge part of my personal education around neurodivergence, and Were All Neurodiverse is an incredible addition to that. Its given me so much to think about (both personally and professionally), and is such a necessary book for both neurodivergent people and neurotypical allies to read.
Yenn Purkis, Autistic and non-binary author and advocate
Sonny Janes book is empowering and affirming, including personal experience, guidance and information on neurodiversity. The book addresses the pathology paradigm around neurodivergence. It is an excellent addition to the literature on neurodiversity. Highly recommended.
Charli Clement, neurodivergent activist & author
This is an utterly ground breaking read that anyone who is neurodivergent or interested in neurodiversity should be reading. Sonny Jane Wise has managed to explain so many difficult and often contentious concepts in an accessible manner, alongside giving incredible advice for neurodivergent people and allies alike.
