Different Thinkers: Autism (Paperback)

Winner of the Autism Live! Book Award (School-Aged Category)
Winner of the 2025 Eureka! Silver Medal Award

A child-centered guide that explains autism and highlights the gifts of being neurodivergent!   

Using simple language, complemented by appealing and captivating illustrations, Different Thinkers Autism offers an accessible and uplifting message about what it means to have autism, how autism affects emotions and behaviors, and what children can do to manage any challenges while building on their individual strengths.  

Written for elementary-age youth, parents, educators, and clinicians, the book features three vignettes of children who are autistic. Each vignette highlights various aspects of autism and how these can shape a child’s behaviors and relationships at home and in school.       

Thought-provoking prompts are included throughout the text to help young readers better understand an autism diagnosis, explore what it means to be a different thinker, and find empowerment and self-acceptance.  

Different Thinkers Autism gives young children information and strategies that can help them flourish while reminding them that their strengths, interests, and abilities are what define them.     

This is the second title in the Different Thinkers series, written to help kids understand their brains and the unique vulnerabilities and opportunities that come with being neurodivergent.

"This book was wonderful for showing how amazing Autism is. As someone that works in special education, this book would be a wonderful addition to a general education class’s morning meeting to help them learn more about their classmate that isn’t always with them. It would also be useful to teach a student more about why their brain is working differently than their classmate's brain. I would love to add this to my classroom library when it comes out!" - Melissa N, Educator and Early Reviewer

"Welcome to one of the best picture books about autism aimed mainly at children. Coupled with adorable and relatable artwork, the authors, who are very well qualified to write this book, first introduce some important concepts, then some characters representative of different ways of thinking, questions for reflection and feeling seen, and tips and exercises. I loved this. Cannot wait to share it with my child and gift it to my friends."- Didem D, Early Reviewer

Dr. Katia Fredriksen is a pediatric neuropsychologist. Trained at Princeton University and the University of Massachusetts Boston, she evaluates youth, from kindergarteners to college students, who struggle with attention, learning, and executive and/or socioemotional functioning. She has been published in several peer-reviewed journals and has presented at national and international conferences.

Dr. Yael Rothman specializes in comprehensive evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults with a wide range of conditions that impact learning, behavior, and/or socioemotional functioning. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Rothman has presented at national and international conferences, published over a dozen articles in peer-reviewed journals, and given lectures to parents and educators.  

Drs. Fredriksen and Rothman disseminate practical, evidence-based information for parents and professionals on their Instagram account @neuropsychmomdocs.