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  • Divergent Mind

  • Thriving in a World That Wasn’t Designed For You
  • Written by: Jenara Nerenberg
  • Narrated by: Tegan Ashton Cohan
  • Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (124 ratings)

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Divergent Mind cover art

Divergent Mind

Written by: Jenara Nerenberg
Narrated by: Tegan Ashton Cohan
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Publisher's Summary

A paradigm-shifting study of neurodivergent women - those with ADHD, autism, synesthesia, high sensitivity, and sensory processing disorder - exploring why these traits are overlooked in women and how society benefits from allowing their unique strengths to flourish.

As a successful Harvard and Berkeley-educated writer, entrepreneur, and devoted mother, Jenara Nerenberg was shocked to discover that her "symptoms" - only ever labeled as anxiety - were considered autistic and ADHD. Being a journalist, she dove into the research and uncovered neurodiversity - a framework that moves away from pathologizing "abnormal" versus "normal" brains and instead recognizes the vast diversity of our mental makeups.

When it comes to women, sensory processing differences are often overlooked, masked, or mistaken for something else entirely. Between a flawed system that focuses on diagnosing younger, male populations, and the fact that girls are conditioned from a young age to blend in and conform to gender expectations, women often don't learn about their neurological differences until they are adults, if at all. As a result, potentially millions live with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed neurodivergences, and the misidentification leads to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and shame. Meanwhile, we all miss out on the gifts their neurodivergent minds have to offer.

Divergent Mind is a long-overdue, much-needed answer for women who have a deep sense that they are "different". Sharing real stories from women with high sensitivity, ADHD, autism, misophonia, dyslexia, SPD, and more, Nerenberg explores how these brain variances present differently in women and dispels widely-held misconceptions (for example, it's not that autistic people lack sensitivity and empathy, they have an overwhelming excess of it).

Nerenberg also offers us a path forward, describing practical changes in how we communicate, how we design our surroundings, and how we can better support divergent minds. When we allow our wide variety of brain makeups to flourish, we create a better tomorrow for us all.

©2020 Jenara Nerenberg (P)2020 HarperAudio

What listeners say about Divergent Mind

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Fantastic! Extremely informative.

Many points in the book left me speechless. Amazed at finding words and explanations for challenges that I face, and others I know or have worked with face. Felt very validated as someone who struggles with ADHD and depression.
It was fascinating and easy to listen to. Hard to stop listening to it . I was actually disappointed when it ended, I wanted to know more.

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Really good book, but the reader killed me

Listen to the sample before buying. There’s something about the way she annunciates that makes it really difficult for me to listen for very long. I found the content fascinating, but couldn’t finish due to the narrator, will have to finish in paperback.

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  • SB
  • 2023-10-26

I feel seen

This book breaks new ground as it doesn't merely provide tips for navigating the conventional factory model world.

The author dares to confront the system, encouraging us to unite in celebrating diversity and the unique ways in which individuals process and handle various sensory inputs.

Women have long been overlooked in the realm of neurodiversity studies, enduring misdiagnoses and incorrect labels.

It's an essential read for anyone, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, seeking to embrace inclusivity.

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Inclusive, diverse, great journalism on neurodivergent women

Great journalism reaching out to inclusivity, women of diversity communities. I really enjoyed the narrative voice as well. Non judgmental. I recommend the book read or listen for those interested or and identifying in sensory sensitivities and sensory first thinking processes.

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Amazing!

loved it! Thank you for all the research and connections made. This book will serve those who are neurodivergant, and those who want to have a better understanding of diversity in our world.

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Informative and life changing

Literally broke down in tears during parts of this book because I finally have words for my experience in the world. This information would have changed my life if I had have found it sooner. Since exploring this book I have found a new understanding with myself and with my partner. Highly recommend!

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Life changer!

Divergent Mind has brought a calm, curiosity and clarity to my life story and lived experiences. Thank you Jenara for your research and sharing.

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New dimensions

This book has opened me to growing self-understanding and self-acceptance - I can now begin to see so many new possibilities.

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very good

much needed read, nice research. it was very good to listen to also . thank you

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Pivotal

I'm finding difficulty putting in to words the value of this book... It has provided me with an entirely new perspective. If you're on the fence about whether or not to listen, go for it! If you don't like it you can always return it, no questions asked.
On the other hand, it might just change the way you view the world and yourself in it.

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1 person found this helpful