Neurodivergent Writers Supporting Writers
Being neurodivergent in publishing has its unique challenges. It’s hard enough to decode the language of the neurotypical world, let alone the additional subtleties and nuances of publishing etiquette.
Taking on Neurodiverse Representation in Kidlit
For many neurodivergent authors, it’s taken years, embarrassing faux pas emails, and multiple agents to gain an understanding and sense of confidence in this world–not to mention so many incredible, patient mentors who have believed in our neurodivergent characters!
Whether we grew up with a diagnosis or not, we know we are different. And with difficulty forming relationships, often the first glimpse we get into someone similar to us is through books. Unfortunately, until recently, those stories have been told by people outside of the community, who have been exposed to neurodivergence through a third party– whether they be a student, patient, or child– and not through the neurodivergent individual themselves, which is problematic for many reasons.
We in the Neurodiverse Kidlit Collective believe we need neurodivergent stories by neurodivergent storytellers with honest, genuine first-hand experience.
In addition, through a partnership with Highlights Foundation (yes, that Highlights!), we’ve developed a scholarship for neurodivergent children’s book writers. This scholarship was created to encourage those who may struggle to persist amidst the confusing social cues and rejection letters, who may need that reminder that their stories matter and that they are worthy.
Our hope is to lift up and support neurodivergent storytellers, making more room for authentic stories in children’s literature, to help young readers be seen and create increased empathy and understanding by neurotypical readers.
About Highlights Foundation
The Highlights Foundation positively impacts children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.
We absolutely adore Highlights, as many of us in the Neurodiverse Kidlit Collective wouldn’t be where we are without them!
Who’s Behind the Collective?
Meet the Neurodivergents who made it their special interest
Katie Mazeika
Author | Illustrator
ADHD, PTSD, Epilepsy
Katie Mazeika is an award-winning author and illustrator who can’t imagine a better job than making books. She loves creating stories based on real people and events. Katie is passionate about highlighting disabled voices in her work. She strongly believes all children should see themselves in books. Katie hopes her work as a creator and advocate creates a space to openly discuss disability and neurodiversity. She does this through presentations, panels, and workshops for educators, kidlit creators, and young readers.
Harlan DeChamps
Author | Sensitivity Reader
AuDHD (Autism & ADHD), Anxiety, Depression
Having discovered a lot about herself through books, and most of that discovery having been in her 40’s, Harlan is passionate about filling the world with diverse voices. She hopes young readers have what she never did: Voices to connect with, awareness, empowerment, and empathy from their fellow readers. Harlan works closely with the Highlights Foundation, and is Certified to speak about Autism by IBCCES.
Harlan is currently unpublished, but has many exciting projects underway, and hopes to be able to share them with you soon!
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Author | Editor | Translator | Sensitivity Reader
Autistic
Lyn was diagnosed on the autism spectrum in adulthood. Her pioneering novel Rogue portrays a young teenager not yet diagnosed and not knowing why she’s different from the others. Several of Lyn’s other books feature autistically-coded protagonists in historical and international settings, reflecting her lifelong interest in twentieth century history. She translates kids’ books from Portuguese to English and furthers the cause by doing sensitivity reads for others, ensuring they understand the autistic experience.
Meg Eden-Kuyatt
Author
Autistic
Meg Eden Kuyatt is an autistic author who teaches creative writing at colleges and writing centers. She is the author of the 2021 Towson Prize for Literature winning poetry collection “Drowning in the Floating World,” the forthcoming “obsolete hill” (Fernwood Press) and children’s novels including the Schneider Family Book Award Honor-winning “Good Different,” and the forthcoming “The Girl in the Walls” (Scholastic, 2025). Find her online at megedenbooks.
Contributors
Others who contribute to our site and cause
Eric Bell
Author | Editor | Writing Coach
Neurodivergent
Eric writes middle-grade, roughly intended for ages 8-12. His novels Alan Cole is Not A Coward and Alan Cole Doesn’t Dance feature characters that could be coded as neurodivergent, however, Eric did not discover his own neurodivergence until after they were published. Now, his focus is on ensuring his characters represent the neurodivergent experience. Eric also runs writing workshops, offers editorial and coaching services, and works with schools!
Sarah Hansen
Author
Autism, ADHD, PTSD/DTD
Like a trickster clown, Sarah has traveled backwards to embody their storyteller calling. Degrees in English, theater, a doctorate in education, and stories gathered through their 20-year career championing equity as a researcher, professor, and coach/consultant led to life-changing neurodivergent diagnoses at age 39. Amplifying the stories of those often overlooked is a foundational throughline of Sarah’s life. Sarah believes stories are the heart of human expression and meaning-making, and they are passionately committed to building worlds and sharing stories that inspire affirmation, critical care, and becoming across all ages.
Sound Like Something You Can Get Behind?
We need help in the way of volunteers, donations for scholarships, and content!