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Books are remarkable in that they serve as both mirrors and windows. They reflect our own culture and identity back to us, as well as allowing us to look out and learn about the experiences and backgrounds of others. A good picture book is specifically designed to accomplish this as it captures children’s innate curiosity and builds a foundation of empathy, both for themselves and others.

As children across the country are about to embark on a new school year, books that affirm neurodivergent experiences are especially important. All children need exposure to books that center neurodivergent characters living in relatable, neurodivergent affirming ways. These books help normalize and celebrate the array of differences in our world.

There is nothing more meaningful than seeing a child jump up out of their seat in delight and excitement when they recognize themselves on the page of a book for the first time. Or that quiet moment of reflection when awareness and understanding of another child’s experience washes over their face.

A good picture book will foster these moments and so many more. A list of a few of my favorite neurodivergent affirming picture books are below.

Add these kids’ books with neurodivergent characters to your child’s bookshelf or donate them to your child’s classroom or school library and give all children the opportunity to have these moments of reflection and awareness.
By doing so, you are shaping the future of our world, one child at a time. Happy reading!

71uvuJwt1lS. SL1406 - Motherly

A young boy with characteristics of dyslexia and dysgraphia, who loves telling stories but struggles to write and spell like his classmates, finds inspiration when an author visits his class.

9781464244193 - Motherly

A classroom of children is throwing a brain party to celebrate how their neurodivergent differences shape their lives and connection to others, highlighting ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, OCD, SPD, synesthesia, Tourette syndrome, and neurotypical brains.

All the Ways We Learn - Motherly

A classroom of children explores all the unique ways they learn and the accommodations that help them, with backmatter highlighting ADHD, autism, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyslexia and commonly used accommodations for reading, writing, and math.

Bitsy bat - Motherly

The first book in the series, featuring a bat with autism who learns the power of shining brightly in her own unique ways.

I am a masterpiece - Motherly

The tween actress Mia Armstrong celebrates her childhood living with Down Syndrome with informative backmatter.

I Think I Think A Lot - Motherly

A young girl displaying OCD symptoms, who notices herself thinking and worrying more than others, is guided by the natural world as she learns self-acceptance of her differences.

No Brain the Same - Motherly

A collection of inspirational poems and information about neurodivergent young activists shaping the future with inclusivity, including those with anxiety, cerebral palsy, synesthesia, nonspeaking autism, dyspraxia, Tourette’s syndrome and many others.

That Always Happens Sometimes - Motherly

An energetic, creative young boy sometimes frustrated those around him with his ADHD symptoms, but whose gifts ultimately save the day in this humorous, relatable story.

Too Much - Motherly

A young girl’s experience with sensory processing disorder and what she does when everything around her is too much.

Wiggling Words - Motherly

A child discovers creative ways to overcome reading challenges by transforming wiggling letters into imaginative worlds, offering hope for young readers with dyslexia.  

Johanna Peyton is a proudly neurodivergent author who writes with playfulness and poignancy. All Brains Welcome: Embracing ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and More, illustrated by Olga Popova and published with Sourcebooks eXplore is her debut nonfiction picture book.