The Power of Neurodiversity, Thomas Armstrong
The Power of Neurodiversity, Thomas Armstrong
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The Power of Neurodiversity
Unleashing the Advantages of Your Neurodivergent Brain (Completely Revised and Updated Second Edition)

Author: Thomas Armstrong

Narrator: Mike Lenz

Unabridged: 10 hr 7 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Balance

Published: 07/29/2025

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

From a bestselling author and psychologist, an exploration and celebration of neurodivergence, completely revised with the most up-to-date research and insights.

From ADHD and dyslexia to autism, the number of diagnosis categories listed by the American Psychiatric Association has tripled in the last fifty years. With so many people affected, it is time to revisit our perceptions of people with disabilities.

Thomas Armstrong illuminates a new understanding of neuropsychological disorders. He argues that if they are a part of the natural diversity of the human brain, they cannot simply be defined as illnesses. Armstrong explores the evolutionary advantages, special skills, and other positive dimensions of these conditions, including: autism, ADHD, dyslexia, schizophrenia, anxiety, intellectual disabilities, and mood disorders.

With an emphasis on positive niche construction for each area, The Power of Neurodiversity is a manifesto as well as a keen look at disability, as well as a must-read for parents, teachers, and anyone who is looking to learn more about neurodivergence.

About Thomas Armstrong

Thomas Armstrong, PhD is an award-winning psychologist, author, and speaker who has written nearly 20 books on learning, human development, and neurodiversity, including The Power of Neurodiversity and Neurodiversity in the Classroom. Holding a doctorate in East–West Psychology, he is the founder and executive director of the American Institute for Learning and Human Development. Dr. Armstrong has spoken in 44 U.S. states and 29 countries, advocating for a strengths-based approach to conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and anxiety. His work champions the idea that neurological differences are natural variations of the human brain, each with unique abilities and potential. He lives in Northern California, where he continues to write, speak, and promote the value of cognitive diversity in education and beyond.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Julie on December 30, 2010

I really liked most of the book, it has a good perspective and is very informative on some topics, but near the end he started to get a little extreme especially with his educational philosophies. He reviews several common mental states/conditions (including ADHD, dyslexia, depression, autism...) an......more

Goodreads review by Lynne on March 08, 2023

I was particularly interested in autism, ADHD and dyslexia, but found all the topics fascinating. The research is really thorough yet the text is highly readable. A really excellent and important book.......more

Goodreads review by Abby on August 03, 2019

Super readable. Good for everyone, particularly for those who work with children. I love the concept of neurodiversity. I've long felt that my anxiety, despite the suffering it causes, is merely another "way of being" and not a disability. Principles of neurodiversity: 1. The human brain is more like a......more

Goodreads review by RawrRawrDinosaur on July 08, 2022

I think the author is well meaning, but definitely misses the mark on inclusivity and it comes off ableist and misogynistic. He talks a lot about Asperger’s without mentioning that Asperger was a Nazi doctor or that Asperger’s is not actually a diagnosis any longer. He also talks about men being mor......more

Goodreads review by Jeff on July 06, 2010

I would have like to see some questioning of the foundations of the mental health industries here, but as I found out the author himself has been on antidepressant medications for decades so he's not really going to rock the boat. The book is a fairly high level, pop-mental-health tone, not like more......more

Quotes

“Parents of children who have been diagnosed as belonging to one of these groups and adults who have been living with any of these labels will find positive affirmation and encouraging advice on how to see their brain’s wiring as an asset rather than a liability.”—New York Journal of Books

“This quietly spoken book is at its strongest when examining the ideology itself and outlining the arguments in its favor. It is sensible in examining how other cultures, past and present, have accepted forms of neurodiversity, and it is wise in its critique of the use of normative standardizations to identify objectives in education and society in general.”—Times Higher Education Supplement

“Armstrong uses neurodiversity to encompass a new way of thinking about a variety of disabilities . . . by focusing on their potential benefits, rather than their problems . . . useful and uplifting.”—Library Journal

“Armstrong argues that there is no ‘normal’ brain or ‘normal’ mental capability and that we are making a serious mistake in assuming that the kinds of differences we see in people with conditions like autism or dyslexia involve only deficits. People with these conditions also have strengths, he emphasizes, and by focusing on these, rather than on the ‘labels,’ we can find the modes of learning and living that can help them thrive.”—Publishers Weekly

“In this engaging, accessible book, Armstrong offers a thoughtful consideration of cognitive diversity, and many practical suggestions for maximizing the potential of, and increasing respect for, those who are ‘differently brained.’”—Kathleen Seidel, creator of Neurodiversity.com

“An engaging and provocative look into the emerging societal conversation about neurological diversity. Our country has adapted to many new ideas over the last century; acceptance of the broad scope of neurodiversity represents the next step forward.”—Ari Ne’eman, president of The Autism Self Advocacy Network

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