Review of A Pocket Guide to Neurodiversity by Daniel Aherne

Overview

This book is as described in the title – a pocket guide to Neurodiversity. It is a compact and readable book on the subject.

Authors

The author of this book, Daniel Aherne, runs a company that provides training and consultancy to global businesses to help them better understand neurodivergent employees. They cover things like the recruitment process to make it as inclusive as possible and management training so managers can better support and retain neurodivergent employees. Adjustservices.co.uk/about

Tim Stringer is the illustrator, who provides touches of humour and insight in his visually appealing illustrations.

Author background

As a teenager, the author Daniel Aherne started volunteering with an autistic boy, which led him to develop a passion for helping those with autism. He then worked at NAS (National Autistic Society), assisting autistic adults to access employment and volunteering opportunities.

Daniel Aherne was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.(He states in his introduction that the idea for the book came from a talk on neurodiversity that he gave to Jessica Kingsley Publishers.)

Audience

According to one review, this book is “addressed primarily to people in managerial positions. In a broader sense, it should appeal to all staff members who would like to understand their neurodivergent colleagues and support them by adapting the work environment to their needs.” – review on www.consilium.europa.eu/en/documents-publications/library/library-blog/posts/the-pocket-guide-to-neurodiversity-by-daniel-aherne-and-tim-stringer/

This book is for anyone wanting to understand neurodiversity and support neurodivergent people. It is aimed mainly at the workplace, and includes  schools and communities. The author sets out to help us celebrate neurodivergence and foster more inclusive communities.  Parents, teachers, school teaching assistants, neurotypical workplace colleagues, people running youth groups, social workers would gain a good grounding from reading this book.

Subject and Structure of the Book

This book gives an introduction to neurodiversity and the four most commonly diagnosed neurodivergent identities:  autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. 

The book’s chapters cover Neurodiversity, Neurotypes, Processing, Working Memory, Communication, Unwritten rules, Emotions and Problem-solving.

There are summarized Key Takeaways and Reflection Points.  Some chapters also have a Helpful Adaptations section. There are lots of tips and reflection points to get the reader engaging with the material.

What are my favourite parts of the book?

I liked the chapters on communication and unwritten rules. These are topics that often come up in the course of my coaching neurodiverse people with Autism, AuDHD, or ADHD.

There were some helpful pointers for people who aren’t at all familiar with what neurodivergence means. Giving examples of how it can show up in different individuals is useful, for instance. The book indicates how to expect/allow for differences. It mentions differences in eye contact, processing speed, small talk versus more meaningful topics of conversation, and unwritten social rules for example.

This book proposes that adjustments for neurodivergence can actually be helpful for everyone. This is not a new proposition, however in my opinion it bears being repeated as many times as necessary to bring about the change needed to bring this into reality. For example, being more direct to make your meaning more straightforward and less ambiguous is a minor adjustment that can make a big difference in many settings.

Sense of Humour

I’m always delighted when an author shows me they have a sense of humour. Laughing at something gives me various things: good feelings, the perception that I can relax, an insight gained into something, or a new perspective or way of looking at something.

I am also more likely to pay better attention to what comes afterwards as if my brain hopes there will be more moments of interesting stimulation/good feelings.

I found some of the illustrations amusing because they give well observed examples of true to life behaviour.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, I felt the approach taken in explaining neurodivergence was helpful, kind, and inclusive.

Eight Sure-Fire Ways to Cheer Yourself up When Feeling Down

People with ADHD often face challenges with emotion regulation, particularly when it comes to raising their spirits.

One of the features of an ADHD brain is that cheering ourselves up in positive and sustainable ways doesn’t always come naturally, so having some ideas of what we can do to achieve that can be very empowering.

Here is a selection of evidence-based ways that you can use to cheer yourself up based on psychological research and therapeutic practices:

Practice Gratitude

Focusing on what you’re grateful for shifts attention away from negative emotions and toward positive facets of life. It also brings us into the present moment, which means our brains aren’t getting a chance to be worrying about the future or ruminating on the past. Try writing down 3-5 things you’re grateful for – research shows this simple practice can significantly boost mood and life satisfaction.

Get Moving  

Physical activity is a natural way to enhance mood, triggering the release of endorphins while reducing stress and anxiety. You don’t need an intense workout – even a brief walk, gentle stretching, or dancing to your favourite song can lift your spirits. Regular movement is strongly linked to better mental health outcomes.

Reframe Your Thoughts

Cognitive reframing helps us view situations differently, improving our emotional responses. When negative thoughts arise, pause and consider alternative viewpoints. Studies demonstrate that this reframing technique effectively increases positive emotions while reducing depressive symptoms.

Stay Present with Mindfulness

Mindfulness practices help ground us in the present moment, reducing our tendency to dwell on negative thoughts. Start with a few minutes of focused breathing or a guided meditation. Research consistently shows that mindfulness reduces stress and enhances emotional well-being.

Connect with Others

Social support is particularly crucial for people with ADHD. Many clients report that spending time with understanding friends and family provides significant emotional benefits. Whether by reaching out to a friend, family member, coach, or therapist, having strong social connections correlates with increased happiness and lower depression rates.

Introduce Positive Behaviours

Engaging in enjoyable activities shifts focus from negative thoughts while triggering the release of mood-boosting neurotransmitters like dopamine. Create a list of mood-lifting activities – from hobbies to watching favourite shows – and choose one when you’re feeling down. This approach, known as behavioural activation, is a core component of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Encourage Yourself

Counter negative self-talk with positive affirmations that resonate with you. Choose statements you can genuinely believe, such as “I am capable”, ” I am learning to do this,” or “I am worthy of happiness.” Research indicates that authentic affirmations can strengthen self-esteem and reduce negative emotions.

Extend Kindness to Others

Helping others creates a powerful sense of purpose and connection. Many people hesitate to ask for help, making the assistance you offer especially valuable. The appreciation you receive in return also generates positive feelings. Simple acts of kindness – from supporting a friend to volunteering – can significantly increase personal well-being.

Here are the eight proven ways to lift your mood in summary:

• Notice the good stuff – Take a moment to write down what you’re grateful for

• Move your body – Even a quick walk or dance can boost your spirits

• Reframe your thoughts – Look for alternative ways to look at things

• Get present – Try some mindful breathing or meditation to ground yourself

• Connect with others – Reach out to someone you trust who gets you and lifts you up

• Do something enjoyable – Pick an activity you know makes you feel good

• Say something kind and encouraging to yourself – Use affirmations you genuinely believe

• Help someone else – Small acts of kindness boost both the receiver’s mood and your own

These strategies provide some options for improving mood and emotional regulation. While particularly helpful for individuals with ADHD, these approaches can benefit anyone who wants to enhance their emotional well-being.