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.