Jess Joy and Charlotte Mia on How Not to Fit In: An Unapologetic Guide to Autism and ADHD

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT IS NOW TAKING PLACE AT ELIM CHURCH

A handbook-meets-rallying cry by late-diagnosed neurodivergent campaigners Jess Joy and Charlotte Mia, founders of the fast-growing online community @IAmPayingAttention.

In the UK today it is estimated that over one-in-seven people are neurodivergent, with many of those being diagnosed later in life and often with experiences that differ from those depicted in traditional but outdated resources. Consequently, there is a vital need for an empathic, empowering, and practical guide that caters for the varied and growing spectrum of people navigating autism and ADHD.

With their Instagram account @IAmPayingAttention showing yearly growth of 376% and over 100k followers, Jess Joy and Charlotte Mia are the perfect voices to bring to market such a guide.

Featuring the latest research and thinking on neurodivergence, contributions from dozens of experts and real stories, How Not to Fit In foregrounds real experiences with autism and ADHD and guides the reader through their journey of discovering, accepting, and flourishing with a neurodivergent brain.

It also explores why getting a diagnosis can be so fraught, and how to navigate a world which centres neurotypical brains in the realms of relationships, careers, friendships, and finances.

Jess &Mia: ‘Over the past 3 years, we've been on a messy, complex journey of trying to understand our neurodivergent brains after a lifetime of not knowing we were ADHD and autistic.  We realised early on that without each other's support, it would've looked vastly different, and doing this alone is a reality for so many of the people in our community.

We've recognised the desperate need we had to not only be understood – but also to be able to attempt to heal from all of the trauma we'd experienced whilst navigating a world that expected us to work in a way which is simply unattainable for us.

We hope that anyone who finds themselves in a chronic state of overwhelm or shame can find some relief – and joy! – in this book.’