All About Neurodiversity: The Card Deck

All About Neurodiversity: The Card Deck

By Kathy Hoopman, Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett
Available in Australia from Woodslane.com.au
ISBN 978-1805010388

When we first sat down with our dear friend and internationally acclaimed author Kathy Hoopmann, we knew we were embarking on something special. Kathy’s books have touched hundreds of thousands of readers worldwide, using animals and storytelling to make neurodiversity accessible, relatable, and affirming. Together, we asked ourselves: how could we create a tool that would be practical, fun, and deeply supportive for neurodivergent children, teenagers, and adults?

The answer became All About Neurodiversity: The Card Deck. 

Why a card deck?

Cards are tactile, interactive, and versatile.

They can be used in therapy, classrooms, family conversations, or even solo reflection. We wanted something that could:

• Explain autism, ADHD, PDA, and anxiety in clear, engaging language
• Celebrate strengths while acknowledging challenges
• Build self-awareness and self-esteem, and
• Support professionals in setting goals, tracking progress, and affirming identity.  

Each card is colour-coded (blue for Autism, red for ADHD, green for PDA, yellow for Anxiety), with many cards carrying more than one dot to reflect the overlap of experiences. An accompanying booklet guides how to use the deck in different settings.

The journey

Editing was a labour of love: unifying language, trimming explanations to under 100 words, and ensuring every card was declarative, clear, and affirming. With the support of Jessica Kingsley Publishers and a talented creative team, the deck took shape into the vibrant, accessible resource we had envisioned.

Why it matters

Neurodivergent people deserve tools that affirm their identity and help them thrive. Too often, resources focus on deficits. Our deck flips the narrative: it highlights signature strengths, validates lived experiences, and provides practical strategies for navigating challenges.  

Whether you’re a psychologist, teacher, parent, or a neurodivergent person yourself, these cards are designed to spark conversations, build confidence, and foster understanding.  

The response

We were thrilled to see All About Neurodiversity: The Card Deck quickly become a bestseller in its category on Amazon. Reviews from professionals and neurodivergent advocates alike have celebrated its accessibility, creativity, and affirming approach. 

As one reviewer put it: “These cards are enormously helpful in affirming neurodivergence and assisting with challenges. On top of that, they are so much fun to use!”

Final thoughts

Creating this deck was truly a team effort, a blend of Kathy’s storytelling brilliance and our clinical expertise. We are proud to offer a resource that is practical, joyful, and deeply respectful of neurodivergent identities.  

We hope you enjoy using All About Neurodiversity: The Card Deck as much as we enjoyed creating it.