Sonny Jane Wise in-conversation with Annie Crowe

“Neurodiversity has helped me understand myself and provided a sense of relief that I’m a whole neurodivergent person functioning as my brain intends.” “It’s provided me with the language to advocate for myself.” “I no longer hated myself. I no longer felt broken. I found a sense of community. A sense of belonging” This affirming and thoughtful guide outlines how and why we need to fundamentally shift our thinking about neurodivergent people. We need to accept differences rather than framing them as a problem, abnormality or disorder. Welcome to the neurodiversity paradigm. At times challenging and radical, Sonny Jane Wise explores the intersections of neurodivergence with disability, gender, sexuality and race. Through interviews, narratives, and the lens of their own raw experiences, they consider how current systems and structures that impact neurodivergent people are rooted in outdated capitalist and racist frameworks, and how these need to change and adapt to be neurodiversity affirming. Sonny Jane’s words are a rallying cry to challenge the pathology paradigm. They offer nine principles for facilitating change, reflected in deeply personal stories from the neurodivergent community. Powerful and persuasive, this book is a clarion call for a kinder and more neurodiversity affirming society.

Our event space is wheelchair accessible via a stair lift. Please contact events@betterread.com.au with any additional access requirements and/or questions.

Sonny Jane Wise is a non-binary and disabled Autistic Bipolar ADHDer. Sonny is an internationally recognised speaker, author, consultation and creator as well as the founder of the Drop In Care Space; a peer led community space for LGBTQIA+, disabled and neurodivergent individuals to connect with community, activities and resources. Sonny was diagnosed as a child and grew up only hearing a deficit narrative about their neurodivergence. Since then, they have gone on to build an audience of over 100, 000 people online, wrote The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills and has worked with organisations around Australia to help change the narrative on neurodiversity and neurodivergence.

Annie Crowe is a Human Rights Lawyer, Disability and Mental Health Advocate, and the Founder and Lead Consultant of NeuroAccess, a consultancy specialising in healthcare equity and accessibility for neurodivergent people. Annie is a globally recognised thought leader on neurodiversity and speaks at national and international conferences on the topics of neurodiversity, disability, and mental health.