Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed For You

"Once these women realise who they are, and once the world embraces what makes them unique, perhaps we’ll finally be able to utilise their strengths - because it’s not just about alleviating suffering, but the opportunity to improve our society as a whole."

- "Divergent Mind", p. 18

"Divergent Mind" is Jenara Nerenberg’s call to action for neurodivergent women to see themselves, and the value of their complexities, more clearly – and further, for workplaces and families to reframe their understanding of neurodiversity, for greater societal systems to hold responsibility and enact immediate change.

Combining research with the experiences of exceptional people as they’ve come to understand their neurodiverse identities, Jenara re-establishes what it means to be neurodivergent, this time with women and sensitivity at the forefront of the conversation. Sensitivity, typically limited to the aspect of sensory differences, is re-defined as an all-encompassing lens for processing and decision-making –this context of sensitivity is an overarching and critical concept in considering the needs of neurodivergent women.

This book, despite being quite scientific, is an essential and eye-opening read for neurodivergent people, friends and family, professionals and practitioners engaging regularly with neurodivergent people. Having read this, I feel confident in my own identity – and in fostering the same for others.
~ Review by our Book Club Host, Taneisha (@neishareads)