We're All Neurodiverse

by Sonny Jane Wise

"Neurodiversity has helped me understand myself and provided a sense of relief that I'm a whole neurodivergent person functioning as my brain intends." "It's 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own raw experiences, they consider how current systems and structures that impact neurodivergent people are rooted in outdated capitalist and racist frameworks, and how these need to change and adapt to be neurodiversity affirming.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 Jane's 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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Psychology, Disability, Mental Health, Adhd, Social Justice

224 pages, Paperback

Published November 21, 2023

Reviews

[Fern A · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was intrigued by this book’s title, something on the face of it can sometimes be a bit controversial in neurodiversity circles. So many of us hear ‘but we’re all a bit neurodiverse’ which I’ve personally found, as someone who is autistic, a troublesome argument. I’m keen though to read other view points and challenge my own opinions and wondered if there was something further behind the title I might be missing. Therefore wondering what perspective this book might take I decided it was worth a read to see if it would broaden my own ideas.

What worked well about this book is Wise’s argument that there is no ‘normal’ as such and having a neurodiverse brain doesn’t make you wrong or faulty. I understood the point they were making and in some aspects of this completely agree. However for me overall the book felt quite flat.

Reading through it I felt a little bit as if I was reading an introduction to an opinion piece or a student’s university essay abstract. While there was a lot of opinions and thoughts I found there wasn’t too much to back it up which would have made the argument a lot stronger. I also felt the argument and its development never really happened and the book never moved off the starting blocks. Wise did not introduce anything new to existing arguments or develop them fully which left me feeling quite disappointed and wondering if I was missing something key.

[Beth Peninger · Rating 1 out of 5]

United States Publication: November 21, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

I was very interested to read this title and so pleased to get an ARC from NetGalley. I have a daughter who is autistic and ADHD, as well as friends who are neurodivergent, so I have a personal interest in neurodiversity as well as a basic human interest.

I really struggled with how to review this title and what "rating" to assign it. There were a few sections of this title that I really appreciated but overall I was disappointed in the content. The first few chapters literally read like a "copy and paste" from an in-depth Google search on neurodiversity. It made me wonder if the author had an editor because it didn't feel like it, and that feeling continued on throughout the whole of the book. The author, being autistic/ADHD/bipolar/BPD, is passionate about neurodiversity (that probably didn't need to be stated) but their passion is more a zealous interest than one that is tempered. They might say that being tempered in their zealous advocation for neurodiversity is exactly what a neurotypical person would suggest, but I would disagree given my personal interest in the topic. A zealot is a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals. That's a recipe for accomplishing the opposite of what the person wants.

I was dismayed at the number of sources Wise used and leaned on that came from social media and blogs, they leaned so heavily on those sources that it watered down the academic sources and when studying a topic like neurodiversity academic sources are preferred with the social media sources serving as secondary support for the research, not the other way around.

Wise seems to have a soapbox to stand on when it comes to their opinions, or theories, about the influence of capitalism and white supremacy on neurodiversity. I came away from the book confused about this argument. I am very aware of the damage capitalism and white supremacy have done, but I'm not sure they play as big of a part in neurodiversity as Wise posits. I think their argument is a zealot's argument.

The transformation Wise wants to see happen in the world amounts to the pendulum swinging all the way to the other side, which simply isn't realistic. They forget that neurodiversity is a relatively new field of science as far as the world is concerned. Even 100 years ago, hell even 50 years ago, we didn't what we now do about the brain and the diversity of how it functions within each person. That should be taken into account when discussing the influences of systems on neurodiversity and the changes that might need to take place to better accommodate the diversity that we are becoming ever more aware of. I don't disagree with most of the accommodations that Wise says need to occur, but it will take time and thoughtful, tempered communities to put accommodations into place. And as we know from the rotten roots of white supremacy, patriarchy, and the like the time it takes to uproot is several lifetimes, not just one.

In advocating for neurodiversity, one should be careful to not demonize the neurotypical and Wise's book comes close to doing just that, as well as shaming those who do identify as neurotypical.

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Less pathology leaves room for curiosity."

I chose to request this book from Netgalley (thanks Netgalley!) as it caught my eye... and I was wanting to find the language to support therapy clients who struggle with feeling 'broken' and have a low sense of self worth post ASD diagnosis. I often feel frustrated with the way our society is so quick to label and pathologise and put the blame on the individual, especially young children. Sonny Jane Wise understands this, themselves having ASD and ADHD along with a whole host of other labels, and advocates for a 'Neurodiverse Paradigm' whereby we see ALL individuals as neurologically different, rather than broken or inherently wrong and needing to be fixed. After all, what does being 'normal' even mean?

I found myself agreeing with a lot of Wise's viewpoints, but I also struggled with the fact that this whole book feels like an opinion piece from their personal experiences; there's very little science or hard facts here to back up their viewpoints. The fact that they’ve taken quotes from social media posts also made me question the validity of the writing. I also struggle with the idea of certain conditions coming under the neurodiversity umbrella- psychosis or schizoprenia for example - very real illnesses that cause significant suffering. They compare such conditions to how homosexuality used to be considered a mental illness- that it's all based on how society views such neurodiversity. I believe it's more about the IMPACT the condition has on the individual and the amount of distress they are in, as to whether a condition should be pathologised.

This book made me think on quite a deep level, and consider my own prejudices and points of view when it comes to neurodiversity. I'd recommend it as an introduction to the idea of neurodiversity; concepts are explained in an easy and conversational way. It was a very hopeful and uplifting view of neurodivergence.

[Lilly (The Autism Books by Autistic Authors Project) · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re All Neurodiverse is a powerful guide that seeks to revolutionise society’s perception of neurodiversity. Building on the work of Dr. Nick Walker and the community who developed the fundamental principles of the Neurodiversity Paradigm, Wise challenges neuronormativity, white supremacy, and capitalism. Readers are provided with foundational knowledge about neurodiversity, suggestions on how society can improve, and practices to ponder for the future.

This is not an academic text, nor is it written to be. The majority of work on neurodiversity has come from within the community; from non-academic collaborations and advocacy. As such, much of the book is based on non-academic sources and the author’s own advocacy and experiences. This is not a weakness, particularly for such a young movement and when so many voices are excluded from traditional research, including many of those who have been influential in the development of the Neurodiversity Movement.

I have highlighted several aspects of the book below, which particularly stood out to me.

Wise explores key aspects of noteworthy movements that were precursors to the Neurodiversity Movement, acknowledging the influential people involved in each of these. This provides much needed context to the social conditions and histories that led to its formation, and therefore a better understanding of the current state of the Movement.

You may have seen the popular infographic of the neurodivergent umbrella which is commonly shared online, and frequently sparks debates about which differences are considered neurodivergent. Wise was the creator of the original graphic. The book provides a helpful discussion of what this encapsulates, why neurodivergence is a social identity, and the importance of inclusivity (with a heavy nod to Kassiane Asasumasu who coined the term ‘neurodivergent’). The significance of this is highlighted with quotes from a diverse range of people, discussing what being neurodivergent means to them.

Three neurodivergent people of colour (Dr. Mari Cerda, Mia Patterson, and Derrick Quevedo) wrote substantial contributions to the chapter on intersectionality, discussing their experiences of race and neurodivergence. It was welcoming to see space provided for these voices. There are also discussions of the author’s personal experiences with other intersectionalities, as well as quotes from neurodivergent people with multiple intersectional identities. As with the neurodivergent umbrella chapter, these additional experiences provide more depth than the views of one author alone.

Feeling broken is an all-too-common experience for many neurodivergent people and exacerbated by a society that eschews those who appear to deviate from the current accepted norms. When neurodivergent people are constantly bombarded with this message, it can be hard to unlearn. In perhaps the most common — and important — theme throughout the book, Wise reminds us that neurodivergent people are not broken and there are less harmful, more affirming ways to view neurodivergencies.

The concept of brokenness links to a discussion that neurodivergent people are not disordered and there are alternatives to this language (such as disabled or neurodivergent). In many spaces, the use of disorder is a polarising topic of contention. It takes time to shift our thinking from the only frameworks we have known (the Pathology Paradigm, for many) and this can be a protracted and confronting process. Wise emphasises that it’s also okay to have differing opinions or if the ideas presented are not suitable for each person. However, if you would like to begin shifting your approach, there are suggestions for starting the process.

Many readers will be left digesting what they have read for a long time afterwards. While most of the concepts in the book were not new to me personally, I found it enlightening; it is a book I will come back to again. If we embrace just some of the concepts suggested in We’re All Neurodiverse, we will see that neurodivergent people are not broken and we can work towards a neurodiverse society that recognises the inherent value in all people.

Thank you to Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley for the digital review copy of We're All Neurodiverse. All opinions in this review are my own and have not been solicited from the author or publisher.

[Katey Flowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very hard book to review because of its subject matter. I have thought long and hard about what star rating to give it and my gut says two. I am concerned about sharing this but here it goes.

I chose this book because I wanted to learn a bit more about neurodiversity. I’ve done a little bit of learning/training during neurodiversity week through a great outside company & I wanted to learn a little bit more. I also know a few people in my circle who are neurodivergent & I have often wondered if I am neurodiverse too as I recognise some specific behaviours. On reflection I do not feel this was the right book to choose to learn more.

The book’s prose is relatively easy to read and the layout is good, as you might expect for the subject matter. There are more voices in here than just the author’s so you also get other perspectives. There are also a lot of footnotes with links to further learning which means it feels well researched.

In addition:

There are a LOT of opinions in this book.

This book touches on more than just neurodiversity and goes into a lot of detail about disability/ableism, racism, gender and other protected characteristics not aforementioned.

Now those 2 things above may be something that you expect/would want to be included or they enhance the reading experience for you. I personally prefer my non-fiction books to be more factual & did want to learn more about neurodiversity in a standalone environment, as I had done before. Coming across both drew me out of the book a bit and made it hard to read.

I was really intrigued by the title as I’ve personally felt that for a long time - generally we all look different and sound different so why wouldn’t we be different in our minds? Unfortunately the book itself just didn’t do it for me in the end and to be honest, I wish I’d really not read it.

Thank you to the author, publishers & NetGalley for access to this arc.

[Ken S · Rating 1 out of 5]

Phooh.... Where do I begin..? I say this with the best of intentions. As a fellow neurodivergent person, I can see the message that the writer is trying to convey, but I find the method they adopted to convey that message simply terrifying. It appears that the writer could not decide whether to make this book a memoir of their own journey with mental health struggles, or to present a collective voice of the neurodivergent community, or simply an angry rant about a wide variety of concepts/societal constructs, including (somehow) capitalism??

Reading the angry, ranting parts about the DSM and the medical system reminds me of how it feels like to walk past people in the city who are shouting some political/religious/cultic propaganda while trying to stuff a flyer in your hands; it's that unpleasant. The DSM and the medical system definitely have their faults, And yes, history of psychiatry looks quite a bit like a horror story - lobotomy, pathologisation of non-heterosexual people, electroshock therapy, just to name a few. And I do agree that improving acceptance of differences as a society is important. I'm not sure if the writer has attempted to research more deeply into the DSM beyond googling its history. If they did, they should know that there have been academics and researchers who have been making proper scientific arguments about taking the DSM down for decades. The reason why we still needed something like that is because without any tools to make accurate diagnoses, we can never begin to contemplate what the best practice/evidence-based treatments are. And without being able to do that, how are we ever going to have any hope of getting the right support? So, it's all well and good to make this argument, but what does the writer propose as an alternative solution? Acceptance is important, but if we couldn't even get the supports we needed in a timely fashion, what practical use could getting rid of the word "disorder' or even all mental health diagnoses do us?

This brings us to the other elephant in the room here, which is that majority of the book was about the author's (very strong) opinions and beliefs. The number of times the word "I" appeared throughout the book probably makes this clear enough. In the writer's words, "We cannot have the Neurodiversity Paradigm replicating the Pathology Paradigm, which is why we cannot do what the Pathology Paradigm does – defining and labelling people’s experiences for them". The writer then acknowledged that they used to impose their views on others neurodivergent people who sincerely view their own conditions as disorders. Sounds great. But soon after, the author concluded the chapter with, "When we call ourselves neurodivergent, we are rejecting the concept of disorders." Even if I were to treat this whole book as one loooong opinion piece, the opinion seems to be all over the place.

I absolutely agree that our lived experience should be regarded as an important voice in research, policy making and healthcare. But if this is how the loudest voices of those with lived experience choose to make our voices heard, I truly fear for our future. This is why with a heavy heart, I'm giving this book a 1-star review.

[Liisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

It has been long since book about neurodiversity has made me feel this way.

This feels like high school opinion essay that has gotten out of hands. They rant about things is they don't like or doesn't suit them. Sometimes it felt like they thought those things are bad for all neurodivergent people while forgetting how diverge needs we can have.
The book felt like "I need or would benefit of theses changes so they must help everyone" without considering if those changes would cause difficulties for other people, neurotypical and neurodivergent. (I, neurodivergent, for example would prefer if we were stricter about time and deadlines)
+Let's add other peoples opinions that the author agrees with so it feels like most neurodivergent people thinks the same.

There were valid points also but the attitude ruined the book.
They said they got some solutions in the book but I don't remember any solutions that weren't obvious before or just not realistic.
I won't even start to explain what I think about their thoughts about schooling...

[Erin Crane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine experience! Read like a primer or almost a manifesto on this perspective.

I don’t know that I had thought of executive functioning as a capitalist emphasis, but that makes a lot of sense. And I absolutely agree that not even neurotypical people can maintain great executive function with all the demands and crises we all deal with.

The writing was odd at times - conversational and casual randomly. “You know?” “Anyway” “I think” language used a lot. The kind of filler I typically edit out of emails on a reread 😂 It also felt overly simplistic and repetitive at times, like it was intended for a younger audience.

The main thing I took issue with is the author’s bit about norms. Maybe I’m off base, or I misunderstood what they meant, but I do feel norms serve a function (which can be abused when it’s the ONLY way, of course). I think of many brief, single interactions I have with people where we are using norms to navigate it. Cashiers, service workers, customers, etc. People I may or may not ever see again, so it would be burdensome for us to figure out all our communication preferences each time. To reject “politeness” wholesale for directness seems like a creation of a different norm where people who prefer directness win out. Neither should “win,” so I’m at a loss as to what we should do for mundane, daily interactions tbh. With people we interact with more frequently we can certainly shift from norms that are not working because the effort makes sense, but otherwise..?

The suggestions they have for improving various environments are fine, but it’s hard for me to not think about how, practically speaking, a lot of this is quite difficult. The resources aren’t there, especially in school. And in terms of the workplace, they very much focused on an office job, which many people do not have, and I’m not sure what is feasible in other jobs. So it’s like “yeah, sure, if there were lots of money to rework space or have the levels of staffing to accommodate flexible scheduling, this would be great.” And you just know said money does not exist and/or your management is not motivated to make any of these changes. But sometimes a book has to at least propose what would help, however unrealistic it is.

Like accommodations for disability, changes made for neurodivergent people help *everyone*. Neurotypical people have preferences, too, that maybe just aren’t as intense. Or they have times in their lives when they are under strain and could use accommodation temporarily. I’d love to see more accommodations available broadly.

[Katerina Niovi Triantafyllaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I gave it 4 and not 5 stars is the extensive tictoc/Instagram references that may support the non researched experience for everyone who falls into traps and believing everything out there to justify and not identify with.

This book poses the exact common point of all oppression related humans. To be recognised as such and to have the same rights. Identifying as a woman just alone doesn't make me smarter than any man, and vice versa. It doesn't give me extra privileges just because of a label. Adhd or cognitive challenges do not mean I will be excused for every low grade society refused to accommodate my needs but poses the exact need to accommodate everyone who needs it, just for being human, every human - not just because of a label(white, black, man, bi, Neuro divergent or not), to include everyone in a society that accepts differences as plainly as that without striking them out as pathologies or disabilities, and mapping its own needs while including everyone under the same umbrella, "human".

[zaynab · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

review pending

[Tegan (Slant Postscripts) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to preface this review with the emphatic statement that Sonny Jane Wise's advocacy is crucially powerful and their online presence is formidable. The amount of unpaid labour that it must involve justifies the purchasing price of this title tenfold and it is a testament to community-making and interdependence that is both healing and revolutionary. They are the reason I personally became aware of the difference between neurodivergence and neurodiversity. It is unquestionable that their work is empowering people to recognise themselves as divergent rather than disordered, and equipping individuals with the language to communicate this in a world that has so often silenced them.

This work culminates in a call to a neurodiverse-affirming practice that is summarised in 'We're All Neurodiverse', and it is great to have it all in one place in writing. This review by The Autism Books by Autistic Authors Project is a great description of that.

However, to me, reading this book felt like having the solution to a mathematical equation without the workings of how the answer was reached. Profound, even revelatory, but indelibly opaque. Context becomes cursory in an already radical and challenging premise. We are positioned at the conclusion instead of taking the stepping stones of connection as we read. For me, there are years of unlearning that underpin, and enable, my understanding of the neurodiverse paradigm Wise describes.

This fact is not assisted by some frankly abysmal editing. There are several blatant grammatical errors that should never have been missed by the publisher.

Either way, the following qualms do not necessarily outweigh the attributes but explain my rating: Why is the spelling Americanised when Wise is Australian? Why does the book focus on the intersection of neurodivergence and race in America rather than Australia? Why is there no end bibliography? Why isn't there an index?

And most troubling for a book that is championing intersectionality... why is a transphobic text cited when there are other resources that discuss the history of hysteria and gender?* (see page 51 footnote of Jessica Taylor's 'Sexy But Psycho').

All these nagging oversights distract from the main force of the book.

I didn't have an issue with the amount of theorists and texts that are cited or quoted, as some other readers did. But I do wonder if these were included at the expense of writing that would have more served the purpose of showing the 'workings' of the conclusion as described above. I often felt that as Wise (or folks who were interviewed) began giving personal examples or expressions that would have filled this gap, the text moved too quickly away. I'm sure part of this has to do with the impossible double-standard of writing about lived experience in a pathology dominant paradigm. And in trying to outline a new paradigm that requires us to confront ourselves and actively practice unlearning dominant social beliefs.

This is why I urge readers who are skeptical of instagram/tiktok references to really consider how powerful these online communities are for isolated and marginalised individuals who not only don't see themselves anywhere, but have been made to feel completely alien in the world. Who are so often harmed by the medical and academic institutions that we laud as objective. What Wise does in including other people's experiences is an act of resistance–I only wish these deferrals, including Wise's own, were given more space and thus the context around the main thesis was expanded. But perhaps that's where Wise's social media comes into play.

*I highly recommend Chapter 1 of Judith Herman's 'Trauma and Recovery' for example. It gives a detailed history of the harmful patriarchal roots of psychology/psychiatry, and explicitly devotes an extended section to the concept of hysteria in women

[Ray Westenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been following Sonny on instagram for a while now (@livedexperienceeducator) and finally got around to reading their book. This whole narrative is informative and empowering for neurodivergent people especially, but also for anyone who has ever felt constrained by the capitalist expectations of our society—constrained by the Pathology Paradigm, which Sonny rejects in favor of the more inclusive and compassionate Neurodiversity Paradigm. Sonny empowers us to take charge of our own healthcare, to put the individual first, to believe that we have the agency and the knowledge to know what is best and decide whether we define ourselves as neurodivergent/disabled, and then whether we feel that treatment/change is even necessary. Recovery doesn’t have to be about ‘becoming neurotypical.’ It can be learning to accept our differences, discovering ways to work with them, and adjusting our environment to better support our needs. There’s so much validation and acceptance and joy to be found in the idea that neurodivergence doesn’t necessarily need to be fixed, but can be something unique and wonderful about ourselves, just like any other variable human trait. This books shows us how to identify and deal with the systems that are hindering us, not blame the inherent differences within ourselves.

“Everyone deserves agency in how they choose to work with their brain.”

I also found so much validation on the chapters discussing how western society has taught us to ignore our own needs to be polite. To fit in. To uphold capitalist ideals. To make others feel comfortable. All the things that we’ve been taught are important and necessary and good and bad are just tools of oppression to control us. To make us more productive and easier to deal with and palatable to people who don’t understand us and our needs. It was helpful to see how Sonny breaks down all of the expectations society has constructed around functioning, emotions, communication, learning, etc. to better understand why we are being forced to do things a certain way (spoiler alert: it’s pretty much just capitalism/white supremacy) and how we can look past that narrative to find strategies and accommodations that actually work for us. To honor our needs and be compassionate to ourselves so we can live our best possible lives.

The book ends with a description of a needs-based system which is so important and humanizing: it’s redefining disability accommodations as human needs that should be met and respected because it’s just the right thing to do. It’s the compassionate and moral thing for all human beings, even ones that don’t identify with a disability or neurodivergence. We cannot expect our society to properly accommodate the needs of every single person that is not diagnosed with something, much less those that have been actively pathologized, therefore everyone would benefit from a system that acknowledges people’s individual needs as simply the needs of a human being and not ‘special requirements’ or ‘inconveniences’ or ‘unreasonable requests’ from broken/disordered/not-normal individuals. This book shows us that we all have needs and we all deserve to have them met. Some people have different needs than most, some people have more needs in a particular area and less in others, and that’s all okay. It’s that simple.

We are not broken or wrong or worth less. We are different and we have needs and we are valuable. We are human.

“I find liberation in being disabled. I find so much beauty and identity and love within it.”

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of We're All Neurodiverse by Sonny Jane Wise through NetGalley. Wise explains that we live in a neurodiverse world, meaning that our society encompasses both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals who process and relate to the world differently. Importantly, this is distinct from neurodivergence, a term for those who deviate from dominant social norms around behavior or thinking.

Seeing neurodivergence as a pathology rather than simply a different way of thinking takes away autonomy from neurodivergent individuals and applies a one-size-fits-all "treatment" method. Instead of maintaining spaces where a diagnosis is required to access accommodations (which leads to stigma), Wise advocates for ways that we can restructure workplaces, educational environments, and our own homes to affirm neurodiversity. I really appreciated their thoughts, specifically their section on executive functioning. Why do we expect everyone to be able to function like a manager, when in actuality, some people just have different skills that don't involve completing tasks linearly or being able to focus completely uninterrupted?

While some of the terminology and explanations may already be familiar to those who've previously read a lot about neurodivergence, I still recommend this book! Wise envisions great concrete steps that we can take towards affirming neurodiversity. And if you haven't read anything about neurodivergence but want to learn more, their writing is extremely approachable, and this is a great place to start.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's no doubt there's a need for more discussion around neurodiversity and accommodations for those with disabilities or other needs in workplaces, educational environments, and across society as a whole.

That being said, this book was not the best representation of that for me. There's the claim that politeness is a result of white supremacy, the support for "unschooling" which I have a lot of issues with, and toward the end I took issue with all of the accommodations suggested for educators in particular to implement to assist with their students. This is putting a lot of pressure and financial burden that at least where we're at in the US, I don't see happening anytime soon. I get they were a list of suggestions, but there's also systemic (political) issues that need to be addressed and weren't. I believe the author is Australian so I understand there will be differences there but for me it made the book feel less general than maybe it was intended to be.

I know these are big asks for a very brief book and I think for what it is, the author made a good attempt. It just didn't work for me and I think other books handle the topic better. The audiobook format also did not work for this title at all - the author included a couple other narrators and they felt so emotionless that I actually had to verify that they weren't AI. It made listening to those sections that were intended to offer more diverse voices difficult.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

An eye-opening read that educated me in both the history of neurodiversity, as well as ways it can present that I was completely ignorant to. The author mixes their own experience with that of others and professionals, and you can feel the passion for the topic in the writing. Neurodiversity is tackle for a bunch of angles and intersectionality is weaved into the fabric of each chapter.
I do however think the writing style will be divisive to some, as will the advice contained within. Some of the reform suggestions seem impractical at first glance, with no meaningful methods of how to achieve them. The author also seems to contradict herself in a few places. Overall a helpful read that made me reflect on the ways I view the world, and how I often need to think twice about what “normal” really is and means.

[Siobhan Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book for a D&I book club I'm a part of. I really appreciated and enjoyed the key definitions being at the front of the book, instead of the back. I really enjoyed the voice of the writing style as well, it was an easier read at first. I was quite fascinated by the history of psychiatry and the pathology paradigm, I learned a lot from that.
I struggled a bit with the way some of the chapters were structured (7, 8 & 9) but I think that's more to do with my reading preferences than anything else. I also struggled with some of the proposed changes and recommendations (mainly for children and classrooms) as I couldn't see the practicality or what the child would get out of it when going into the workplace or higher education.
Overall I do think it has really made me think about neurodiversity and I'm glad to have read it

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m pretty sure my therapist recommended this book lol but I read it for work 🤷

Really interesting take on the idea of disorder/pathology paradigm vs a neurodiversity paradigm. It incorporated some elements of disability justice which was interesting. On one hand the accessibility of the book was great but also I felt it could have gone in harder on stuff like abolishing psychiatry and it didn’t really address involuntary hospitalization and seclusion which I think was really necessary. It did give recommended further readings which I’m interested in but I’m going to have to look more specifically into the anti psychiatry stuff.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

The title caught my eye when I was scrolling through titles on Netgalley and I decided to request it. I really enjoyed this book and the focus on building a neurodiversity affirming future. I thought their take on the topic was very interesting. I especially liked the point how we're all different and there should be space for that. As well as all the ways people can be different and how to be accepting and affirming of those differences. I also liked the broader definition for neurodivergent they used which included a lot of things now categorized as disorders.

This book made me think and I thought it was well written and informative. It has a very accepting, affirming and hopeful tone which made it pleasant to read. I also really liked the list of tips and ideas at the end for how to be more affirming in work/ school etc. I can definitely recommend this book.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot of good ideas in it but for some reason it was really hard for me to focus on it and retain what I read.

[Vas · Rating 4 out of 5]

a really interesting deep dive into neurodiversity and how we can alter our world to help support people who are neurodiverse

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting and important and accessible book. Sonny’s desire for people to genuinely understand these concepts and systems is clearly evident throughout the book and I really appreciated the explicit accomodations suggestions offered at the end.

[Val Robson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m challenged by this book but possibly not in the way the author intended. As a computer scientist I have been surrounded for decades by many people who are on the autistic spectrum and/or diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. I also have people in my immediate family who are dyslexic which is also on the author's list of things under the neurodiverse term. Although the subject of dyslexia is barely touched on in the book.

Many of those I know on the autistic spectrum have never been formally diagnosed as it was less common to do so in the first decades of my life. Some have been diagnosed later in their lives. I have long strongly felt that we need to stop regarding anyone with these traits as having a disorder but simply it is part of their personal makeup and we are all individuals. I often wonder if one day there will be a term for those who are quite the opposite end of the autistic spectrum from that end which is regarded as having a disorder. In short, the premise of this book appealed to me as I thought I was in agreement with the author.

However, the book grated on me quite a lot. There is a lot of personal opinion with liberal uses of ‘I need’, ‘I want’, ‘I believe; and ‘we must’. There is little reference to scientific research but a lot of reference to social media posts which are often simply the opinions of people other than the author and are not backed by academic research.

The author is also very keen to blame capitalism and white supremacy for any neurodiversity being regarded as a problem by society in general. There are around forty uses of the phrase ‘white supremacy’. She states that the Neurodiversity Movement needs to be anti-capitalist and needs to actively challenge capitalism. Despite having read the book, I am not able to vocalise exactly how these things negatively impact on neurodiversity in the eyes of the author as her argument was confusing at times.

A lack of quotations often makes it hard to always distinguish the author’s opinion from that of someone being quoting. There was also some strange use of capital letters in the middle of words in one section. And use of the word ‘folx’ which is maybe modern speak for ‘folks’ or maybe simply a typo to be corrected in the final print?

My final thought in finishing the book was that the author would be prejudiced against me as I cannot compete for dramatic labels with her and the people she is writing on behalf of. I am also white.

With thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Charlie Medcalf · Rating 1 out of 5]

We're All Neurodiverse by Sonny Jane Wise sounds very much like a book for neurodiverse people celebrating how they are not alone and how they can cope with their lives while being neurodiverse. Sadly, the majority of this book is not like that at all. This book is somewhat an opinion piece which covers a range of topics, including the history of neurodiversity, pathology's way of looking at neurodiversity, intersections with neurodiversity, a different way of looking at neurodiversity and some solutions to the problems presented.

For my full review please visit- https://cembookportal.blogspot.com/20...

[Mooning · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh
I went into reading this with a lot of expectations as a neurodivergent myself but was honestly let down. Most of the things here are a record of what's already available online and at a lot of points it honestly just gets quite preach-y. I felt like the author was constantly trying to passively credit themselves for everything that one can very easily access online. There was also a part where they threw shade on people who identify with being disabled by saying - yes it's okay if you wanna call yourself disabled but it's oppressive language and you're just neurodivergent. ;-;

[Nicole Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

TLDR: It’s a thought-provoking book that challenges readers to view psychology through a different lens and asks for compassion for all, however makes sweeping arguments without scientific sources to back up claims.

Pros:
- I agree with the criticisms of DSM, the over-pathologizing of individuals.
- Appreciated the discussion of intersectionality
- Like the perspective of viewing human consciousness as a spectrum of diversity rather than categories of disorders, which is loaded with shame
- Appreciated the ideas for accommodations for providers, and love the idea of needs-based system

Cons:
- Some of the statements I just disagree with. For example, the author criticizes social norms of eye contact, saying it is just a Western expectation, when there is neuroscience cross-cultural research to suggest that eye contact releases oxytocin and promotes social bonding. Similar critiques can be made for several of the “social expectations” the author writes about.
- Feels at times very black-and-white thinking, categorizing people as “neurotypical” or “neurodivergent” and making blanket statements for each. As a person with GAD and TBI, I would identify under the umbrella of neurodivergent, but in a very different way than the author. Many of the statements about certain expectations being “unrealistic for every neurodivergent person” is just not true for me, while it may be for them. I wish it had more nuance.
- Lots of sources from blogs and Instagram posts instead of scientific research, undermining the credibility
- Wish there was more elaboration on how the Pathology Paradigm reinforces white supremacy and capitalism. It sort of felt like they repeated that thesis line throughout the book without really giving solid sources or examples to explain.
- Disagree that the idea of multiplicity challenges western personhood. For example, IFS and Gestalt are both western forms of therapy that discuss the various parts of every person.

Overall, I appreciate this author’s perspective and recommendations for accommodations, but felt at times repetitive and unscientific, making many strong arguments about science without the reputable sources.

[Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and thorough study of the concept of neurodivergence, the history of the rights movement and practical changes we can make in modern society to accommodate everyone.

Wise's book delves into the concept of living in a neurodiverse world, where both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals coexist, each with their unique ways of processing and relating to the world. It's crucial to distinguish this from neurodivergence, a term referring to those who deviate from dominant social norms in terms of behaviour and thinking.

Viewing neurodivergence as a pathology, rather than recognizing it as a distinct way of thinking, erodes the autonomy of neurodivergent individuals and promotes a one-size-fits-all "treatment" approach. Instead of upholding environments where a diagnosis is a prerequisite for accommodations, which often results in stigmatization, Wise advocates for restructuring workplaces, educational settings, and our homes to embrace and support neurodiversity. I found their insights particularly enlightening, especially their discussion of executive functioning. It raises a valid question: why do we expect everyone to function like a manager when, in reality, some people possess different skills that don't necessarily involve linear task completion or uninterrupted focus?

This book is a read for anyone interested in creating a fairer society, but especially for anyone in education. It is written in an easy, accessible way and my only problem is that it does get a bit repetitive. It doesn’t however take away from the impact the book makes, it really provoked me to think differently.

Thank you to Sonny Jane Wise, Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.

[funsizedshark]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book's title caught my eye as someone who is interested in mental health and currently studying to work in healthcare in the future. The concept of neurodiversity is fairly new to the mainstream, and the average person who isn't already interested in the topic for one reason or another probably hasn't heard of it. While this book raises several good points, I can’t help but feel like a lot of them might be fueled by the very unique experience of accessing mental healthcare in the United States, that isn’t at all reflective of the experience in other countries and as such I do not feel like it’s in any way universal. Nevertheless, as I said, I agree with several of the points raised by the author, and while several of the things they bring up are purely anecdotal, they also raise the very important point of how several aspects of neurodiversity are under researched and thus can’t truly be anything but.


I do not share some of the points brought up, but I do credit this book with the effort of opening a conversation and bringing up several points to reflect upon. I think my main “gripe” with this book is the way it’s written: Wise tends to overuse anaphoras and repeat the same exact concept several times over, just worded slightly differently. It makes for a reading experience that’s a far cry from the streamlined argument it should be: it would have benefited from a few rounds of editing for ease of reading and accessibility. Ironically (for a book about neurodiversity) as someone whose brain doesn’t always cooperate when it comes to concentration, nothing is worse than reading something that repeats itself over and over before getting to the actual point.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the digital galley of this book.

Neurodiverse is something we all all. Neurodivergent is something only some of us are. By understanding the difference and the importance of both, we can not only learn more about ourselves but be a part of a more well-rounded society. Wise explores how and why we need to fundamentally shift our thinking on neurodivergent folks, to better understand the big conditions like autism and ADHD, but also to understand the full picture of what falls on that spectrum in order to best support those individuals and use their strengths to help society as a whole. She challenges the pathology paradigm and offers nine principles to facilitate change.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I didn’t necessarily learn a lot more about my condition, but that’s not the aim of this book. It made me think about my neurodivergence in a larger context, better understand those who are on this spectrum but have different conditions than I do, and encouraged me to start thinking about the future of neurodiversity and neurodivergent people.

One quote that stuck out to me was, “Medication helps me meet the expectations of the environment.” Before I started medication, life was a lot harder, and even though I still have trouble fitting in and keeping up in a world designed for neurotypical people, my medication definitely takes the edge off of the overwhelm, and it helped me to think about it as a tool to function better in these environments that aren’t designed for me.

Definitely recommend this one.

[Aki J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I requested this book as someone who has been a foster carer for young people with autism and ADHD for almost 2 decades, and a manager with neurodivergent members of my team. I was hoping for a balanced exploration of neurodivergence / neurodiversity in society, how it manifests, and how we can ensure accommodations and inclusions for all.

What I got instead was one long opinion piece lacking nuance, balance or tolerance for other viewpoints. The overall feeling I came away with was that the book was “shouty”, with key term definitions not explained. This could alienate the very people the author is trying to reach. It’s prime fodder for those who want to pick it apart. In addition, the author tried to relate too many of society’s ills to the treatment of neurodivergent individuals and therefore not devoting enough time to any.

Unlike some other reviewers however, I rather enjoyed the many social media post references. It was a brilliant way to include other marginalised groups with different experiences of intersectionality, and a great reminder that social media is the place that activism happens today - where we can hear the voices of people who have been silenced for too long. I also enjoyed the analogy of intersectionality being like literally standing in the middle of an intersection.