Random Things Tours: Different, Not Less by Chloé Hayden

 

Although our societies are far from fully accepting neurodiverse people, the high frequency of books on this topic, particularly memoirs, is encouraging. The more testimonies and literary inclusion of neurodiverse characters, the better for building up a completely different understanding the challenges.

Australian activist and neurodiverse author Chloé Hayden is my latest addition to my neurodiverse bookshelf. Her half-memoir, half-survival guide, Different, Not Less is a passionate testimony of the struggle and the journey of living with autism and ADHD. 

´I knew from a very young age that my mind was worlds apart from those of the people surrounding me´. Most neurodivergent people are actually aware of being different, but end up being considered ´less´ but those around them, including close family, siblings and school colleagues. Hayden had the chance though of growing up in a welcoming family, who embraced her difference and actively tried to accomodate. 

In Different. Not Less she is offering a ´neurodivergent´s guide to embracing your true self and finding your happily ever after´. With references to Disney movies and fairy tales, Hayden´s story is more than a literary story or a memoir, it is an effective guide offering ideas and mindmaps for defining and understanding various situations, as well as giving support and inspiration for a dignified and successful personal and professional life. Her own example of a very active career are a good testimony in this respect.

An inspiration to anyone coping with neurodivergence and their relatives and closed ones, Hayden´s memoir is worth including in any list of practical references on this sensitive yet important topic. We all have to learn a lot from reading this book.

As a side note, the cover is adorable too, and I am in love with the colourful, rainbow-ish outlook.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own