Nurturing Neurodivergence - by Jasmine K Y Loo

About the Book

A neuroaffirming information guide and workbook for late-identified autistic and/or ADHD adults who want to further develop their self-understanding and build healthy relationships in life.

Book Synopsis

Book description:

Life is hard even without unidentified neurodivergence, and you are not alone if you'd spent years wondering why everything was so hard before realising you're neurodivergent. That knowledge may come as a relief, but you may feel just as lost trying to navigate a predominantly neurotypical world. Support and resources for late-identified neurodivergent adults tend to be scarce compared to those for children and parents. Therefore, this workbook-guide is specially created for late-identified autistic and/or ADHDer adults.

Written in a relaxed, easy-to-read tone, this neuro-affirming book combines research findings and clinical experience to help you better understand not only neurodivergence in general, but also what your late-identification means to you. It offers concrete strategies and tools to support you to build healthier relationships with yourself and with those around you. This is key to creating a more sustainable way of living, and to prevent neurodivergent burnout.

In each chapter, you'll come across questions and activities that can be used for guided introspective reflections. There are plenty of engaging infographics explaining key concepts (printed in premium, full colour!), which cater to the ways that many neurodivergent people process information. This book draws on a range of evidence-based psychotherapy models, including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This will also be a fantastic neuroaffirming resource for mental health practitioners working with neurodivergent clients.

Book Details:

Total number of pages: 148 (Bibliography in a downloadable document online)

Total number of graphics/infographics: 74

ISBN: 978-0-6458960-8-4 (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-0-6458960-9-1 (Hardback)

Book release date: 2 December 2023 (Open for pre-order from 7 Sept 2023)

Review Quotes

BOOKLIFE EDITOR'S PICK

(Read the full editorial review written by an expert Publishers Weekly reviewer on https: //www.jasmine-loo.com/, or on the 18 Dec 2023 print edition of Publishers Weekly Booklife supplement)

"Neurodivergent psychologist Loo debuts with this uplifting compendium of recommendations and techniques for late-identified neurodivergent adults to build healthy relationships, self-acceptance, and more...The tone is warm and inviting, ..[and readers] will find the colorful graphics, diagrams, and journaling opportunities particularly useful; Loo utilizes mind maps to illustrate complex topics, and visuals...[that] are bold, bright, and incredibly helpful... While she writes that the material is meant for those who identified their neurodivergence in adulthood rather than childhood, this handbook will also prove a valuable tool for any neurodivergent or neurotypical reader."

Nurturing Neurodivergence is an essential resource for late-identified neurodivergent individuals, health professionals, or really anyone working with neurodivergent adults. During my early career as a psychologist, although I had an interest in neurodivergent adults and was even working in settings where I assessed and supported many, very few written resources existed. The resources that did exist typically focused on children, ignoring the fact that neurodivergent children eventually become neurodivergent adults (or worse, suggesting that they would "grow out of it"). More so, the idea that there were neurodivergent health professionals who had valuable insights to offer from their lived experience, in addition to their professional training and knowledge, was almost non-existent. In this book, Jasmine explores the many facets of what it means to be neurodivergent, whilst offering realistic strategies and ideas to help neurodivergent adults work with the brain they have - not against it.

-Emmalee Stefanatos, Psychologist & Board-Approved Supervisor, Founder of Infinity Psychology & Assessments, BA (Psych), GDipPsych, MEd&DevPsych

Navigating a conversation in a foreign language is tough. Navigating a strange city without a map is tough. Navigating a (largely) neurotypical world is also really tough, especially when you don't speak the language or have the map. If you are a late-identified neurodivergent adult, or even a family member or friend of a late-identified neurodivergent adult, then Nurturing Neurodivergence is the guidebook that you need. Drawing on a wealth of lived experience, clinical training and knowledge, and research literature, Jasmine Loo has created a practical resource to help guide you in understanding your neurodivergence; navigating the complexities of relationships with others; and most importantly, with yourself.

-Dr Shane Costello, Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Monash University, Australia, Educational & Developmental Psychologist, Board-Approved Supervisor