Voices of Neurodiversity: An Inclusive Encyclopaedia

This groundbreaking A-Z of neurodiversity provides an accessible and definitive resource for professionals, families, and anyone seeking to better understand the vast landscape of neurodiversity as well as the experiences and potential of neurodivergent people. Covering over 370 terms, the book offers a nuanced understanding of each term’s multifaceted relevance and is structured around seven key categories: Neurodivergent identities, states, and models Emotional and mental health and well-being Social interaction, communication, and relationships Advocacy, rights, and community dynamics Support and therapy Education and professional contexts Harmful, pathologising, and stigmatising concepts and practices Enriching this comprehensive reference, the book includes over 60 first-hand contributions from 12 neurodivergent individuals from across the world. Their diverse identities, lived experiences, and insights provide cross-cultural, intersectional, and deeply personal perspectives, offering powerful additional context to the definitions explored. These contributors are Iqra Babar, Benjamin Breaux, Agustina Cardoso, Joris Fouet, Aditi Gangrade, Virginia Grant, Andrew Kingslow, Jo LaPlana, Hazel Lim, Kosjenka Petek, Lyric Rivera, and William Vanderpuye. This encyclopaedia is an essential resource for neurodivergent individuals, professionals in social care, healthcare, education, and mental health; families, policymakers, the wider public, and anyone interested in learning more about neurodiversity.

Table of Contents:
A. Ableism. Absence seizures. Acceptance. Access arrangements. Accessibility. ADHD. Adjustments vs accommodations. Advocacy. Affective empathy. Affiliate stigma. Affinity cycle. Affinity therapy and passion-based therapies. AI and LLMs. Alexithymia. All Age Autism Guidance. Allistic. Allyship. Aloneness. Alternative assessment methods. Angelman syndrome. Animal-assisted therapy. Anthropomorphising. Anomic aphasia. Anxiety. Aphantasia. Aphasia. Appeals. Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA). Apraxia. Art-based therapy. Articulation difficulties. Autism Spectrum Condition. Autism Spectrum Disorder. #AskingAutistics. Asperger’s. Assistive technology. AuDHD. Auditory processing disorder. Auditory sense. Augmentative and alternative communication. Augmented reality. AuSocial. Authentic self. Autigender. Autie. Autism Acceptance Month vs. Autism Awareness Month. Autism parent. Autism. Autism stigma. Autistic community. Autistic flow. Autistic inertia. Autistic Language Hypothesis. Autistic-led. Autistic-led identity support. Autistic-led mental health therapy. Autistic pride. Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. Autonomy. Autopia. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. B. Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs). Behaviours that challenge. Brain’s default mode network. Body doubling. Binaural sound therapy. Bipolar. Bruxism. Bullying. Burnout. C. Camouflaging. Celebration. Challenging behaviour. Children and Families Act 2014. Chronagnosia. Classroom adjustments. Code-switching. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Cognitive dissonance. Colour vision deficiency. Communication through behaviour. Community spaces. Competency-based questions vs hypothetical-based questions. Concealment. Communication books and passports. Communication regulation partner. Courtesy stigma. Complex PTSD. Cultural communication. Cultural competence. D. Deadnaming. Dedicated interests. Deflective masking. Demand avoidance. Demand sensitivity. Depression. Diagnosis. Diagnostic overshadowing. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Digital Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria. Digital Twinning. Direct questions. Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Disclosure. Discrimination. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Double Empathy Problem. Dyspraxia. Dyscalculia. Dysgraphia. Dyskinesia. Dyslexia. Dysregulation. E. Eating Disorders. Echolalia. Education Act 1996. Educational advocacy. Educational psychologists. EHCPs. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Embodied identity. Emotional wellbeing. Emulation. Empathy. Empathic distress. Employee Resource Groups. Empowerment. Employment advocacy. Empty phrases. Enacted stigma. Energy accounting. Entropy. Epilepsy. European Union Disability Strategy 2021-2030. European Union Employment Equality Directive (Council Directive 2000/78/EC). Eugenics. Excoriation disorder. Executive functioning. F. Fake cures. Felt stigma. Fibromyalgia. Filicide. Fragile X. Functional neurological disorder. Functioning labels. Further education colleges. G. Global developmental delay. Gustatory sense. H. Hand flapping. Hate crime. Head banging. High pressure socialising. Homeschooling. Humiliation. Hybrid learning. Hyperacusis. Hyperempathy. Hypercontrol. Hyperfocus. Hyperosmia. Hyperphantasia. Hyperplasticity. Hyperlexia. Hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity. I. Identification vs diagnosis. Identity-first language. Illegal so-called ‘cures’. Imposter syndrome. Inclusive design. Inclusive education. Independent or non-maintained special schools. Infanticide. Infantilisation. Infodumping. Inner monologue. Integrated Care Boards. Internalised ableism. Interoception. Interoceptive alexithymia. Intersectionality. Intrusive memories. Intrusive thoughts. Invisible disability. L. Language processing disorder. Late diagnosis. Learning disabilities and learning difficulties. Legal advocacy. Letter boarding. Literal thinking. Loneliness. M. Mainstream schools with SEN support. Masking. Mate crime. Media representation. Mediation. Medical model of disability. Meerkat mode. Meltdown. Mental Capacity Act 2005. Mimicry. Minimally speaking people. Minority and intersectional minority stress. Mirror-touch synaesthesia. Misgendering. Misophonia. Monotropism. Monotropic split. Multigenerational trauma. Multiply neurodivergent. Music therapy. Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). N. Neurodiversity-aware curriculum design. Nesting. Neurobabbles. Neuroclearin. Neurocosmopolitanism. Neurodivergent and neurodivergence. Neurodivergent-affirming. Neurodiversity. Neurofibromatosis. Neuro-futurism. Neuroharmony. Neurokin. Neurokin magnetism. Neurology. Neuronormativity. Neurophobia. Neuroplasticity. Neuroqueering and neuroqueerness. Neurospicy. Nociceptive sense. Nomatnesia. Non-speaking people. O. Obsessions. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Occupational therapy. Olfactory sense. Oliver McGowan training. Online learning. Onychophagia. Outness. Overstimulation and understimulation. P. Panic attack. Parallel play and interactive play. Parent and family advocacy. Parkinson's. PDD-NOS. Peer advocacy. Peer education. Peer mentorship. Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia (PVNH). Person-first language. Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Phantom sensations. Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. Phonological process problems. Pica. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Polytropism. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Power of Attorney. Prader-Willi syndrome. Precrastination. Prejudice. Presuming competence. Procrastination. Profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD). Professional stigma. Proprioception. Prosody. Prosopagnosia. Pseudobulbar affect. Pseudothymia. Psychological wellbeing. Psychosis. Public stigma. Pupil Referral Units. R. Reasonable adjustments. Regressive autism. Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria. Repetitive behaviours. Resilience. Resource-based schools. Rett syndrome. Rhizomatic communities. S. Safe spaces. Saviour syndrome. Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Scripting. Selective mutism. Self-acceptance. Self-advocacy. Self-harm. Self-medication. Self-regulation. Self-stigma. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Special Educational Needs Coordinator. SEND code of practice. Sensory assessments. Sensory avoidant. Sensory crisis. Sensory integration. Sensory gardens. Sensory overload. Sensory processing. Sensory processing differences vs sensory processing disorder. Sensory rooms. Sensory seeking. Sensory-specific satiety. Sensory synergia. Sensory trauma. Shutdown. Six-second rule. Social anxiety. Social capital. Social communication. Social exclusion. Social fatigue. Social hangover. Social model of disability. Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. Social stories. Societal stigma. Somatic alexithymia. Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001. Special interests. Special schools. Specialist colleges. Speech dysfluency. Speech and language therapy. Speech-sound difficulties. Spoon theory. Spoon extending. Stimming. Strengths-based approach. Structural stigma. Stuttering. Suicidal ideation. Sunflower lanyard. Synaesthesia. T. Tactile sense. The Autism Act 2009. The Care Act 2014. The Children and Families Act 2014. The Equality Act 2010. The Human Rights Act 1998. The Mental Health Act 1983. The National Strategy for Autistic Children, Young People and Adults: 2021 to 2026. Theory of Mind. Thermoceptive sense. Tickertape synaesthesia. Tourette’s. Transitions. Trauma. Tribunals. Trichotillomania. Triggers. Triple empathy. U. United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Unintentional stigma. V. Vestibular sense. Victimisation. Virtual reality. Visual processing disorder. Visual sense. Voiced empathy. W. Wearables. Wider autism community. Williams syndrome.

About the Author :
Chris Papadopoulos is a neurodivergent academic, neurodiversity advocate, and father of autistic children. As the founder of the London Autism Group Charity, he combines lived experience, grassroots community support, and research to challenge traditional narratives. His work bridges academic insight with real-world support, making Voices of Neurodiversity: An Inclusive Encyclopaedia an essential resource for professionals, educators, policymakers, families, neurodivergent individuals, and anyone curious to learn more about neurodiversity.s alike.

Review :
"What an absolutely fantastic body of work! The book provides such a thorough and accessible overview of key concepts related to neurodiversity and neurodivergence! I love the interwoven accounts from contributors, and how it helps bring the concepts to life - it really helps the reader to go beyond an intellectual understanding of a concept and see how it relates to the everyday lives of neurodivergent people. I think the book will be of great use to professionals and educators, but I also think it will be a great resource for neurodivergent people and their families! I think people will be able to see themselves and their loved ones in those accounts, and that it will really help people to find words for experiences that might have previously been hard to name!"Dr Amy Pearson, Assistant Professor in Psychology, Centre for Neurodiversity and Development, Durham University "This book is a perfect combination of lived-experience expertise, and respectful, neuro-affirming and accurate technical information. As a result, it is far more compelling than a traditional encyclopaedia, with entries enriched by personal stories and that illustrate and validate everyday and intersectional neurodivergent experiences. It is undoubtedly a ‘must-have’ reference guide for neurodivergent people, as well as for the families, friends, allies, communities and professionals who seek to support us." Dr Melanie Heyworth, Founder and Co-CEO, Reframing Autism "Not only is this encyclopaedia a comprehensive resource that is easy to navigate and learn from, it bases much of its knowledge in intersectional experiences. In a field of theory that has often had a lack of visibility for multiply marginalised individuals, this has built its foundation upon the fundamental principle of neurodiversity: this is a paradigm for the benefit of all, not just a few." David Gray-Hammond, Autistic Advocate, Author, Speaker and Addiction Researcher "Chris Papadopoulos's Voices of Neurodiversity: An Inclusive Encyclopaedia is a profoundly insightful, inclusive, and deeply humanising resource. It masterfully bridges complex theory and the essential richness of lived experience, presented with remarkable clarity and genuine care. This isn't just information; it's a vital guide that invites deep reflection, encourages growth, and builds authentic connection with neurodivergent lives. It is an indispensable resource for anyone committed to understanding and supporting neurodivergent individuals and communities more effectively." Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou, Associate Professor in Educational Psychology and Mental Health, University College London "In this book, Chris Papadopoulos has crafted an encyclopaedia that is rich in the concepts of disability and neurodiversity studies, grounded in a rights-based approach. What sets it apart is how it centres the insights and lived experiences of neurodivergent people – many from underrepresented backgrounds – who bring the terms to life through personal narratives. It’s an important and accessible resource for both professionals and the wider public." Dr Steven Kapp, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Portsmouth "In today’s fast-evolving landscape of neurodiversity, having a clear, thoughtful grasp of the terminology and concepts is not just helpful - it’s vital. Voices of Neurodiversity is much more than a reference book; it’s an inclusive, deeply human guide that bridges lived experience and expert insight. Chris Papadopoulos has created an essential resource for anyone looking to truly understand and respect the diverse ways we experience the world." Dr Carrie Grant, Autistic Advocate and Broadcaster "Chris Papadopoulos’s book is timely. It brings a broad range of stories and lived experiences from neurodivergent individuals across the globe, representing different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. The author thoughtfully weaves lived experiences with terminology to give meaning to the shared concepts. Importantly, the book takes a non-pathologising approach, making it an essential guide for anyone, professionally or personally, wanting to understand more about neurodiversity concepts and how these relate to the lived experiences of neurodivergent people." Dr Mairi Evans, NHS Clinical Director of Neurodiversity Strategy at Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust “This is a hugely useful encyclopaedia that helps demystify the many terms used in the neurodiversity space. Pitched sensitively, within the neurodiversity framework, the interplay between explanation and personal experience makes this book readable and accessible for all. I think everyone can learn something from this text!” Professor Anna Remington, UCL, Director of Centre for Research in Autism and Education