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The Neurodivergent Learner: A New Approach to Your Child's Success in the Classroom and Beyond
An indispensable, first-of-its-kind roadmap for parents and educators of neurodivergent children, packed with science-backed strategies and real-life stories to help every child thrive in—and beyond—the classroom
Your neurodivergent child is growing up in a world that wasn’t built for them. A world that asks them to sit still, learn in the same way as everyone else, and thrive in a system that too often ignores their unique strengths. Because of the way their brain is wired, school can feel overwhelming—for them and for you. But your child is not broken. They are amazing.
Child psychologist and mom of two neurodivergent sons, Emily W. King, PhD, has spent twenty years listening to kids, parents, and teachers, and building bridges between them. In The Neurodivergent Learner, she combines cutting-edge neuroscience with real-life stories to show parents how to stop pushing their children into a mold—and instead help them flourish on their own path. With warmth, expertise, and a deep understanding of how kids actually learn, Dr. King gives families the confidence and tools to partner with educators, reduce stress at home, and nurture the whole child.
Inside, you’ll ’s really happening in your child’s brain when school feels “too much.”Why homework, testing, and traditional classrooms often miss the mark—and what to do instead.Practical strategies for working with teachers (not against them) to create learning environments where your child thrives.How to manage energy, anxiety, and overwhelm without sacrificing joy, curiosity, or confidence.Stories from kids themselves that reveal how empowering it feels to be understood.Tools to help your child embrace their uniqueness, find their allies, and redefine what success looks like—inside and outside the classroom.
As Dr. King writes, "our children don’t need fixing—they need understanding, creativity, and collaboration." Whether your child is autistic, gifted, has ADHD, or simply learns differently, The Neurodivergent Learner is the essential guide to helping them find success in school and beyond.
Your neurodivergent child is growing up in a world that wasn’t built for them. A world that asks them to sit still, learn in the same way as everyone else, and thrive in a system that too often ignores their unique strengths. Because of the way their brain is wired, school can feel overwhelming—for them and for you. But your child is not broken. They are amazing.
Child psychologist and mom of two neurodivergent sons, Emily W. King, PhD, has spent twenty years listening to kids, parents, and teachers, and building bridges between them. In The Neurodivergent Learner, she combines cutting-edge neuroscience with real-life stories to show parents how to stop pushing their children into a mold—and instead help them flourish on their own path. With warmth, expertise, and a deep understanding of how kids actually learn, Dr. King gives families the confidence and tools to partner with educators, reduce stress at home, and nurture the whole child.
Inside, you’ll ’s really happening in your child’s brain when school feels “too much.”Why homework, testing, and traditional classrooms often miss the mark—and what to do instead.Practical strategies for working with teachers (not against them) to create learning environments where your child thrives.How to manage energy, anxiety, and overwhelm without sacrificing joy, curiosity, or confidence.Stories from kids themselves that reveal how empowering it feels to be understood.Tools to help your child embrace their uniqueness, find their allies, and redefine what success looks like—inside and outside the classroom.
As Dr. King writes, "our children don’t need fixing—they need understanding, creativity, and collaboration." Whether your child is autistic, gifted, has ADHD, or simply learns differently, The Neurodivergent Learner is the essential guide to helping them find success in school and beyond.
- GenresParentingNonfiction
320 pages, Hardcover
Published August 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 7, 2026
This book is full of amazing tips and advice on how to collaborate with teachers and staff and how to advocate for your neurodivergent child at school and more.
September 7, 2026
Don't skip any chapters! I thought maybe I'd only read the chapters applicable to my child's specific challenges, but every single chapter was full of valuable background information about adhd, autism, child development and more. The info and strategies extended far beyond the classroom, as well.
10/10 highly recommend to parents, teachers, and anyone who interacts with neurodivergent children.
10/10 highly recommend to parents, teachers, and anyone who interacts with neurodivergent children.
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September 4, 2026This is one I wish existed years ago. Dr. King writes as both a psychologist and a parent of two neurodivergent kids, and that combination shows. It never feels like a textbook, it feels like someone who has actually lived this handing you the tools she wishes she'd had sooner.
What I liked most is that it doesn't treat traditional school structures as gospel. She's honest about how much of the classroom setup, sitting still, timed testing, one size fits all homework, just wasn't built with these kids in mind, and instead of asking you to force your kid to adapt, she gives you real strategies for working with teachers to build something that actually fits. That reframe alone made me exhale a little.
The parts on managing energy, anxiety, and overwhelm without squashing curiosity were the most useful to me personally. A lot of books in this space stop at "here's what's happening in your kid's brain" and never get to the practical part. This one actually gets you to the practical part.
I also appreciated that it's not just autism or just ADHD focused, she's writing for the whole spectrum of ways kids can learn differently, including gifted kids, which is a group that gets left out of this conversation a lot.
If I'm nitpicking, some sections lean a little heavy on the neuroscience explanation before getting to the actionable stuff, and I found myself skimming ahead at times. But that's a minor complaint for a book this genuinely useful.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked most is that it doesn't treat traditional school structures as gospel. She's honest about how much of the classroom setup, sitting still, timed testing, one size fits all homework, just wasn't built with these kids in mind, and instead of asking you to force your kid to adapt, she gives you real strategies for working with teachers to build something that actually fits. That reframe alone made me exhale a little.
The parts on managing energy, anxiety, and overwhelm without squashing curiosity were the most useful to me personally. A lot of books in this space stop at "here's what's happening in your kid's brain" and never get to the practical part. This one actually gets you to the practical part.
I also appreciated that it's not just autism or just ADHD focused, she's writing for the whole spectrum of ways kids can learn differently, including gifted kids, which is a group that gets left out of this conversation a lot.
If I'm nitpicking, some sections lean a little heavy on the neuroscience explanation before getting to the actionable stuff, and I found myself skimming ahead at times. But that's a minor complaint for a book this genuinely useful.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Thoughtful Resource for Families Beginning Their Neurodivergent Journey
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy (ARC). All thoughts are my own. 🧠📚💙
This is a thoughtful, well-researched resource that clearly comes from a place of compassion and evidence-based practice. The author emphasizes connection before academics and encourages parents and educators to see neurodivergent children through a strengths-based lens. There is a wealth of information here, and I can absolutely see this becoming a valuable guide for families who are newly navigating a neurodivergent diagnosis or preparing for their child’s school years.
For me, the biggest challenge was that my family is several years into this journey. As a parent of school-aged neurodivergent children, I found much of the content focused on foundational concepts that we’ve already learned through experience. I kept looking for more advanced or nuanced strategies geared toward families who have already navigated diagnoses, school supports, and advocacy. That’s not a criticism of the content—it simply wasn’t the stage of parenting I’m currently in.
I also found the ebook format quite dense. There is a tremendous amount of information packed into each chapter, and I frequently caught myself wishing there were an audiobook version. I think this material would be much easier for me to absorb in audio format or in smaller, more digestible sections.
Overall, I think this is a strong resource that will likely be most impactful for parents, caregivers, and educators at the beginning of their neurodivergent journey. While it wasn’t the best fit for where my family is today, I appreciate the compassionate approach and the author’s commitment to helping children thrive. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Who should read this?
Parents, caregivers, educators, and school professionals who are new to supporting neurodivergent children or are looking for a comprehensive, research-backed introduction to helping children succeed both in and beyond the classroom.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy (ARC). All thoughts are my own. 🧠📚💙
This is a thoughtful, well-researched resource that clearly comes from a place of compassion and evidence-based practice. The author emphasizes connection before academics and encourages parents and educators to see neurodivergent children through a strengths-based lens. There is a wealth of information here, and I can absolutely see this becoming a valuable guide for families who are newly navigating a neurodivergent diagnosis or preparing for their child’s school years.
For me, the biggest challenge was that my family is several years into this journey. As a parent of school-aged neurodivergent children, I found much of the content focused on foundational concepts that we’ve already learned through experience. I kept looking for more advanced or nuanced strategies geared toward families who have already navigated diagnoses, school supports, and advocacy. That’s not a criticism of the content—it simply wasn’t the stage of parenting I’m currently in.
I also found the ebook format quite dense. There is a tremendous amount of information packed into each chapter, and I frequently caught myself wishing there were an audiobook version. I think this material would be much easier for me to absorb in audio format or in smaller, more digestible sections.
Overall, I think this is a strong resource that will likely be most impactful for parents, caregivers, and educators at the beginning of their neurodivergent journey. While it wasn’t the best fit for where my family is today, I appreciate the compassionate approach and the author’s commitment to helping children thrive. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Who should read this?
Parents, caregivers, educators, and school professionals who are new to supporting neurodivergent children or are looking for a comprehensive, research-backed introduction to helping children succeed both in and beyond the classroom.
October 20, 2026
This is a practical, informative, and easy-to-read book, especially for parents raising neurodivergent children.
What makes this book particularly valuable is the combination of the author’s professional knowledge as a psychologist, her extensive research, and her lived experience as a mother. She doesn’t just approach neurodiversity from a theoretical perspective; she understands the everyday challenges of parenting a neurodivergent child, which makes her insights more relatable and meaningful.
I also appreciated how she emphasises the importance of social support, something I believe is incredibly important for both neurodivergent children and their parents. Raising a neurodivergent child isn’t just about understanding their needs; it’s also about having the right support system around the whole family.
The book provides up-to-date information alongside practical advice that parents can apply in everyday life. If you’re already very familiar with neurodiversity, you might not learn a great deal of new information. However, for parents who are at the beginning of their journey, it’s an excellent and accessible resource.
Overall, a useful and thoughtful book that brings together research, professional expertise, and lived experience in a way that feels both practical and supportive.
What makes this book particularly valuable is the combination of the author’s professional knowledge as a psychologist, her extensive research, and her lived experience as a mother. She doesn’t just approach neurodiversity from a theoretical perspective; she understands the everyday challenges of parenting a neurodivergent child, which makes her insights more relatable and meaningful.
I also appreciated how she emphasises the importance of social support, something I believe is incredibly important for both neurodivergent children and their parents. Raising a neurodivergent child isn’t just about understanding their needs; it’s also about having the right support system around the whole family.
The book provides up-to-date information alongside practical advice that parents can apply in everyday life. If you’re already very familiar with neurodiversity, you might not learn a great deal of new information. However, for parents who are at the beginning of their journey, it’s an excellent and accessible resource.
Overall, a useful and thoughtful book that brings together research, professional expertise, and lived experience in a way that feels both practical and supportive.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As the mother of an autistic child and a therapist, I deeply appreciated the perspective Dr. Emily W. King brings to The Neurodivergent Learner. Writing from her experience as both a psychologist and an autism parent, she offers a compassionate and practical guide for families navigating neurodivergence.
I appreciated that Dr. King doesn’t ask parents to choose between honesty and hope. She makes room for the complicated emotions that can accompany parenting a neurodivergent child including grieving expectations we may have carried while also helping us see and support the child right in front of us. Instead of offering quick fixes, she provides concrete examples, case studies, educational insights, and actionable strategies that help parents better understand their children’s needs at home, at school, and in the spaces where those worlds overlap.
The sections on school advocacy were uniquely valuable. As both a clinician and parent, I know how overwhelming communication with schools can feel. The sample email scripts alone are worth bookmarking. They give parents language for difficult conversations while keeping the focus on collaboration and support. Thoughtful, practical, and very validating, this is a book I will be recommending to both families and professionals.
I appreciated that Dr. King doesn’t ask parents to choose between honesty and hope. She makes room for the complicated emotions that can accompany parenting a neurodivergent child including grieving expectations we may have carried while also helping us see and support the child right in front of us. Instead of offering quick fixes, she provides concrete examples, case studies, educational insights, and actionable strategies that help parents better understand their children’s needs at home, at school, and in the spaces where those worlds overlap.
The sections on school advocacy were uniquely valuable. As both a clinician and parent, I know how overwhelming communication with schools can feel. The sample email scripts alone are worth bookmarking. They give parents language for difficult conversations while keeping the focus on collaboration and support. Thoughtful, practical, and very validating, this is a book I will be recommending to both families and professionals.
October 16, 2026
4 stars
The Neurodivergent learner is a nonfiction book that provides information, scenarios and suggestions on how to navigate the very confusing and complicated steps of school and services provided in a learning environment that is the best fit for your child with a disability. I wish that I had a book like this when my son was getting ready to start school. It was a whirlwind of meetings and documents and not knowing what was available and not, it really felt like getting thrown into the deep end with just some water wings to keep us afloat. It covers a wide area of topics as well as some great examples of how to communicate articulately to make sure your child’s educational needs are being met. I wish that there had been more coverage on an IEP and additional outside services that parents can look into to help support at home learning, those were some additional things that my family found overwhelming and would have loved some more expert information on.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.
The Neurodivergent learner is a nonfiction book that provides information, scenarios and suggestions on how to navigate the very confusing and complicated steps of school and services provided in a learning environment that is the best fit for your child with a disability. I wish that I had a book like this when my son was getting ready to start school. It was a whirlwind of meetings and documents and not knowing what was available and not, it really felt like getting thrown into the deep end with just some water wings to keep us afloat. It covers a wide area of topics as well as some great examples of how to communicate articulately to make sure your child’s educational needs are being met. I wish that there had been more coverage on an IEP and additional outside services that parents can look into to help support at home learning, those were some additional things that my family found overwhelming and would have loved some more expert information on.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.
August 27, 2026
I'm a mum of two and my kids are still primary school age.
I believe we are a neurodivergent family and dare I say one of us might be twice exceptional. However, I haven't received a full diagnosis for any of us because of the costs.
This book was incredibly helpful to understand more of their (and mine I guess) behaviours. At first, I thought it may just be for younger kids but it does go more into schooling, routines etc which works for my two.
By the end I definitely realised that my youngest might benefit the most with the diagnosis, if we were going to spend the money.
I do like how most chapters have a letter/email template you can use to discuss a certain subject.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this one.
I believe we are a neurodivergent family and dare I say one of us might be twice exceptional. However, I haven't received a full diagnosis for any of us because of the costs.
This book was incredibly helpful to understand more of their (and mine I guess) behaviours. At first, I thought it may just be for younger kids but it does go more into schooling, routines etc which works for my two.
By the end I definitely realised that my youngest might benefit the most with the diagnosis, if we were going to spend the money.
I do like how most chapters have a letter/email template you can use to discuss a certain subject.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this one.
November 3, 2026
Really enjoyed this book because it offers an empowering, human-centered blueprint for parents and caregivers. Blending her rich clinical expertise with the grounded empathy of lived parenting experience, Emily King doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges neurodivergent learners face in conventional schools. Instead, she emphasizes cultivating talents and strengths. She explains the critical "why" behind lags in executive functioning, sensory issues, and regulation, along with practical strategies that build competence, autonomy, and belonging for every learner. Packed with immediately actionable tools—from neurodiversity-affirming accommodations to ready-to-send email templates and advocacy scripts for busy families.
September 12, 2026
I wish this book had been published eight years ago when I was just beginning my neurodivergent-learner parenting journey. It’s beautifully written with so much love, understanding, and genuinely useful educational and functional help. My one criticism is that it feels heavily geared toward younger children; as a parent of an older neurodivergent learner, I wish the examples and strategies had extended further into the middle and high school years. Still, this is absolutely a book I wish I’d had from the beginning.
September 8, 2026
Absolutely life changing information for those who want it about how to raise, educate, and support a neurodivergent child. For me, somehow perfectly wrapped up all the pieces of information I've learned, come across, read in other favorite books, and been taught. Will be gifting this to everyone I know, and will not stop proselytizing this book as amazing for the next 3-10 years. A must read.
October 11, 2026
Great book for families AND educators!
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October 12, 2026I bet this will be useful for lots of people! Not quite a fit for us, mostly, but I'm glad it's out there.
October 26, 2026
I feel like this took forever to read BUT it is full of great information and now I want everyone to read it!! So so good.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews