Johanna Peyton
Writing for Children with Playfulness & Poignancy
Affirming Neurodivergent Books
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 children’s book is specifically designed to accomplish this as it captures a child’s innate curiosity and builds a foundation of empathy, both for themselves and others.
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 faces.
A good children’s book will foster these moments and so many more. A list of a few of my favorite neurodivergent affirming picture books are below.
**For books specific to dyslexia, please visit the Dyslexia tab under Resources.**
By Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
& Tiffany Rose
(Simon & Schuster, 2022)
A picture book about a young boy with characteristics of dyslexia and dysgraphia, who loves telling stories but struggles to write and spell like his classmates, finds inspiration in a visiting author.
By Elle McNicoll
(Random House, 2025)
A middle grade prose novel where a thirteen-year-old girl with autism starts an anti-bully agency to help others but must navigate between standing up for what’s right and becoming a bully herself.
By Johanna Peyton & Olga Popova (Sourcebooks, 2026).
A picture book about a classroom of children throwing a brain party to celebrate how their neurodivergent differences shape their lives and connection to others. Including ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, OCD, SPD, synesthesia, Tourette syndrome, and neurotypical.
By Chloe Ito Ward & Yaroslava Apollonova
(Rise x Penguin Workshop, 2026)
A picture book showcasing a classroom of children and all the unique ways they learn and the accommodations that help them. Backmatter highlights ADHD, autism, Dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyslexia and commonly used accommodations for reading, writing, and math.
By Kaz Windness
(Paula Wiseman/Beach Lane Books, 2023)
The first book in the picture book series featuring a bat with autism who learns the power of shining brightly in her own unique ways.
By Alyson Gerber (Scholastic, 2021)
A middle grade prose novel where a tween girl wrestles with her unquiet mind until she is diagnosed with ADHD which reshapes her life when she begins seeking help.
By Mia Armstrong & Alexandra Thompson
(Random House, 2024)
A picture book where tween actress Mia Armstrong celebrates her childhood living with Down Syndrome with informative backmatter.
By Dusti Bowling
(Union Square Kids, 2019)
The first book in the humorous middle grade prose series where a young girl with limb differences moves into a western theme park and befriends a boy with Tourette syndrome.
By Jessica Whipple & Josee Bisaillon
(Free Spirit Publishing, 2024)
A picture book where a young girl displaying OCD symptoms notices herself thinking and worrying more an others. Guided by the natural world, she learns self-acceptance of her differences.
Edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf,
Keila V. Sawson, & Jeanette Bradley
(Charlesbridge, 2026)
A picture book 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.
By Pan Cooke
(Rocky Pond Books, 2024)
A graphic novel memoir about a ten-year-old boy living with the intrusive thoughts and compulsive rituals of undiagnosed OCD.
By Kiley Frank & K-Fai Steele
(Alfred A. Knopf, 2024)
A humorous, relatable picture book about energetic, creative Max who sometimes frustrates those around him with his ADHD symptoms, but whose gifts ultimately save the day.
By Emily Barth Isler
(Carolrhoda Books, 2024)
A middle grade prose novel where a teen
girl with synesthesia and love of music goes
on a journey of self-discovery, uncovering family secrets and finding new hobbies
along the way.
By Jolene Gutiérrez & Angel Chang
(Abrams Appleseed, 2023)
An empathic picture book about a young girl’s experience with sensory overload and what she does when everything around her is too much. Great read for sensory processing disorder with detailed backmatter.
By Hope Larson
(Harper Collins, 2025)
A graphic novel where student body president Verity discovers she has dyscalculia and must choose between maintaining her perfect image or fighting to fix a broken system.