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Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Books are like stars. Each story, each page, is a light guiding us through the vast sky of human experience. For neurodivergent kids, the right book can be a mirror reflecting back at them, or a window letting others peek in at their unique ways of thinking. This post is a compilation of neurodivergent representation in books—stories that honour our differences. Fiction that lets neurodivergent kids see themselves as heroes and nonfiction that helps them understand their own minds.
Why should we care about neurodivergent representation?
Representation in the media is so important for any child. Did you know neurodivergence is associated with a higher risk of mental health issues, like anxiety and depression? One in three autistic teens and two in three autistic adults have experienced at least one episode of severe depression. Anxiety disorders were also found to be highly prevalent in ADHD and associated with higher levels of suicidality. The problem isn’t the neurodivergence itself, but a world that makes us feel like we don’t belong, and most often, we navigate it alone.
Neurodivergent representation in media allows a child to see people like themselves in their books and feel less alone. When I have felt most alone, I have always turned to books as my companions. But not only that, it’s important for neurotypical readers to read books featuring neurodivergent characters to bridge the gap between us. This has always been my goal with this blog: to create a close-knit community for neurodivergent Muslims, and to educate and help bridge the gap between us and the neurotypical community.
Whether you’re a parent searching for bedtime stories that affirm your child’s world, a teacher looking for classroom resources, or a friend wanting to understand more deeply, these recommendations are meant to spark connection. May they help you build spaces where every child feels seen, valued, and celebrated.
Books featuring neurodivergent characters
These books are true neurodivergent representation—books which contain one or more characters that are explicitly mentioned to be neurodivergent.
- A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
- Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
- A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
- A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
- Moojag and the Auticode Secret by N. E. McMorran
- Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
- Rules by Cynthia Lord
Books featuring neurodivergent-coded characters
These books contain at least one character that displays traits associated with neurodivergence without being explicitly named as such. These are characters that resonate strongly with neurodivergent readers.
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
- All the Answers by Kate Messner
- Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
- Coraline by Neil Gaiman
- Matilda by Roald Dahl
- The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
- Willodeen by Katherine Applegate
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Non-fiction books about neurodiversity
These are books intended to support neurodivergent readers through true stories about others who are like them, or through information, tips, and strategies that help readers understand themselves, achieve contentment, and succeed in life.
- All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum by Kathy Hoopmann
- Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty
- Different, Not Less by Chloe Hayden
- Sensory: Life on the Spectrum by Bex Ollerton
- The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos by Deborah Heiligman
- The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca
- The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide by Siena Castellon
- This Is My Brain! By Elise Gravel
Have your kids read any of these books? Let me know their favourites in the comments!