Welcoming and celebrating neurodiversity in our libraries

What is neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity describes the population as a whole and recognises the diversity of different brains. Depending on how our brains are wired, we:

• think
• move
• process information
• communicate

in different ways.

Many people use neurodiversity as an umbrella term to describe alternative thinking styles, otherwise known as neurodivergence, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia, dyspraxia and many more.

It is estimated that one in seven people are neurodivergent, although with an increase in awareness this in likely to be higher. Although neurodivergence is classed as a disability, many neurodivergent people do not identify as disabled.

What we provide

Sensory Stay and Play

These sessions are for children up to the age of 11, and open to children with special needs and disabilities (SEND).

They offer multisensory play in quiet, calm sessions for children of all abilities and their parents and carers. Encourage your child to awaken their senses with light tubes, kinetic toys and much more.

Contact [email protected] for details.

Quiet Hour

Quiet Hour aims to help customers with sensory needs and their families enjoy the library. We avoid making any excess noise to make the library quieter and calmer. There will be no events during this time and staff aim to keep noise levels to a minimum. We encourage other library users to respect this quieter time too:

• Brompton Library, Monday 9:30am to 10:30am
• Kensington Central Library, Tuesday 1pm to 2pm
• North Kensington Library, Friday 9:30am to 10.30am

Events

Throughout the year, we organise awareness activities that highlight and celebrate diversity. Our awareness programme includes displays, activities, and events: Find events.

Neurodiversity book collections

To support learning, we provide access to a wide array of online on and in-person resources. Our online collection features e-books, audiobooks, and journals in multiple languages, ensuring resources are accessible to everyone.

Neurodiversity: books for adults

'The pocket guide to neurodiversity' by Daniel Aherne

'Strong female character' by Fern Brady

'The honesty box' by Lucy Brazier

'Empire of normality: neurodiversity and capitalism' by Robert Chapman

'Obsessive, intrusive, magical thinking' by Marianne Eloise

'A different way to learn: neurodiversity and self-directed education' by Naomi Fisher

'Neurodiversity' by John Marble

'Your child is not broken: parent your neurodivergent child without losing your marbles' by Heidi Mavir

'How to be you: say goodbye to should, would and could so that you can' by Ellie Middleton

'Unmasked: the ultimate guide to ADHD, autism and neurodivergence' by Ellie Middleton

'50 fantastic ideas for supporting neurodiversity' by Kerry Murphy

'Unmasking autism: the power of embracing our hidden neurodiversity' by Devon Price

'A radical guide for women with ADHD: embrace neurodiversity, live boldly, and break through barriers' by Sari Solden

Everything is going to be K.O.: an illustrated memoir of living with specific learning difficulties' by Kaiya Stone

'Illuminated: all the things I left unsaid' by Melanie Sykes

'The autist's guide to the galaxy: navigating the world of 'normal people' by Clara Törnvall

'Un-typical: how the world isn't built for autistic people and what we should all do about it' by Pete Wharmby

'We're all neurodiverse: how to build a neurodiversity-affirming future and challenge neuronormativity' by Sonny Jane Wise

Neurodiversity: books for young adults

'Lark & Kasim start a revolution' by Kacen Callender

'The spectrum girl's survival guide: how to grow up awesome and autistic' by Siena Castellon

'All brains are wonderful' by Scott Evans

'The reason I jump: one boy's voice from the silence of autism' by Naoki Higashida

'The asparagus bunch' by Jessica Scott-Whyte

'Wired differently: 30 neurodivergent people you should know' by Joe Wells

Neurodiversity: books for children

'A book about what autism can be like' by Sue Adams

'Pablo and the noisy party' by Andrew Brenner

'The autism detective: investigating what autism means to you' by Elaine Brownless

'I have a question about divorce: a book for children with autism spectrum disorder or other special needs' by Arlen Grad Gaines

'Maria and me: a father, a daughter (and autism)' by María Gallardo

'Being autistic (and what that actually means)'by Niamh Garvey

'The red beast: helping children on the autism spectrum to cope with angry feelings' by K. I. Al-Ghani

Wonderfully wired brains by Louise Gooding

'My mummy is autistic: a picture book and guide about recognising and understanding difference' by Heath Grace

'All cats are on the autism spectrum' by Kathy Hoopman

'Nathan's autism spectrum superpowers' by Lori Leigh

'Moojag and the auticode secret' by N. E. McMorran

'Moojag and the lost memories' by N. E. McMorran

'Pablo goes shopping' by Sumita Majumdar

'The torch' by Jon Roberts

'Can you see me? Expected to fit in, proud to stand out' by Libby Scott

'Do you know me? Find your people, find yourself' by Libby Scott

'Ways to be me' by Libby Scott

'I see things differently: a first look at autism' by Pat Thomas

Volunteer with us

If you would like to help the neurodivergent community and make a difference by sharing your skills, ideas and experience with us, learn more about volunteering with libraries.