The Neurodiversity Celebration Week programme features a wide range of speakers from around the globe who are leading experts in neurodiversity and inclusion. Many of them are also well-respected authors, and Saïd Enabled would like to highlight six books written by Neurodiversity Celebration Week speakers – all of which are available electronically via the Bodleian Libraries (links below, Oxford SSO required). The Sainsbury Library is also displaying a range of titles on this theme during the week. Whether you are curious to learn more about research into the value of neurodiversity within organisations or looking for practical tips to support yourself or your neurodivergent colleagues and friends, there is something here for you!
The Neurodiversity Celebration Week Events Schedule lists webinars that you can register to attend for free. The sessions are very varied, so there is something for everyone! Even if you are unavailable to attend live, we would recommend registering to receive a copy of the recording to enable you to watch it at a more suitable time.
Neurodiversity at Work: Drive innovation, performance and productivity with a neurodiverse workforce by Amanda Kirby & Theo Smith
Amanda Kirby is chairing Event 1: Celebrating Different Minds – An Introduction to Neurodiversity and both Amanda Kirby and Theo Smith are speaking at Event 12: Shaping Neurodiversity through Innovation & Technology.
Neurodiversity at Work is a practical guide that explores the benefits of valuing those who think differently within the workforce. Drawing on research and case studies from leading organisations such as Microsoft, the authors demonstrate the importance of recognizing and harnessing the unique strengths of neurodivergent individuals in improving business outcomes and brand impact, as well as employee wellbeing. The book was the winner of the Diversity, Inclusion & Equality Book 2022 at the Business Book Awards, and features chapters on inclusive recruitment, line management conversations, and the workplace of the future.
Read this book if: you want to understand the business case for neurodiversity inclusion and catch the vision for a truly diverse workforce.
Smith, T. & Kirby, A. (2021) Neurodiversity at Work: Drive innovation, performance and productivity with a neurodiverse workforce. London: KoganPage.
Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing sensory processing and cognitive well-being in the built environment by Kay Sargeant
Kay Sargeant is on the panel of speakers at Event 13: Neurodiversity at Work Q&A: Designing Neuro-inclusive Working Environments.
Kay Sargeant draws on her experience as a certified interior designer and Director of Thought Leadership at the global design and architecture firm HOK’s Interiors group in reimagining the workplace through a neuroinclusive lens. Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces, published in March 2025, considers the sensory and cognitive impact of the spaces in which we work, especially on those with neurodivergent conditions, and makes the case for inclusive choices at every stage of the design process to “boost productivity” and “transform high-stress environments into more welcoming and functional spaces for everyone”.
Read this book if: you want to discover how aspects of our physical environment at work can promote inclusion, productivity and wellbeing.
Sargent, K. (2025) Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing sensory processing and cognitive well-being in the built environment. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
The Canary Code: A guide to neurodiversity, dignity, and intersectional belonging at work (also available as an audiobook) by Ludmila N. Praslova
Ludmila N. Praslova is on the panel of speakers at Event 23: Is the Business World leading society on Neuroinclusion?
The Canary Code describes how neurodivergent individuals can often be ‘canaries in the coalmine’, falling foul of psychologically unhealthy working environments before others do. However, Ludmila Praslova sets out clear inclusive principles for organisations to follow, to improve the experience of work for everyone. With simple takeaways and real-life examples, she shares practical steps to put these principles into action at every level of an organisation, from everyday changes to system-wide shifts. There are several chapters on leadership, including the challenges faced by leaders who are neurodivergent themselves, and useful appendices such as checklists for neuroinclusive hiring and running neuroinclusive meetings.
Read (or listen to) this book if: you’re looking for practical tips on improving inclusion that you can start implementing today. If you’re not sure which of the six books to pick, The Canary Code has a bit of everything!
Praslova, L. N. (2024) The Canary Code: A guide to neurodiversity, dignity, and intersectional belonging at work. Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
The Neurodiversity Edge: The essential guide to embracing autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences for any organization by Maureen Dunne
Dr. Maureen Dunne is on the panel of speakers at Event 23: Is the Business World leading society on Neuroinclusion?
The Neurodiversity Edge sets out the case for neuroinclusion as not just a positive thing for organisations to do, but vital for organisations to thrive and deal with the challenges of a rapidly changing environmental, social, political and technological landscape. Dr. Dunne argues that neurodivergent individuals bring unique skills and ways of thinking to the workplace, and organisations which overlook these are in danger of groupthink, stagnation and losing out to competition. This book builds on her experience working with the World Economic Forum where she founded the Davos Neurodiversity Summit to bring fresh thinking to the world’s greatest challenges.
Read this book if: you’re curious about how organisations can harness the strengths of neurodiverse teams to tackle big problems and adapt to changes.
Dunne, M. (2024) The Neurodiversity Edge: The essential guide to embracing autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences for any organization. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Learning from Neurodivergent Leaders: How to start, survive and thrive in leadership by Nancy Doyle
Dr. Nancy Doyle is on the panel of speakers at Event 23: Is the Business World leading society on Neuroinclusion?
Drawing on her experience as founder and Chief Science Officer of Genius Within, an international B-corp focused on neurodiversity inclusion, and as a neurodivergent leader herself, Nancy Doyle has written this book as a manual for leaders and aspiring leaders who think differently. She shares personal stories from a wide variety of contributors with lived experience, exposing the ‘unwritten rules of leadership’, and giving realistic advice on navigating the strengths and challenges of the path to becoming a leader as a neurodivergent person.
Read this book if: you’re a leader or considering leadership, and you have – or think you might have – a neurodivergent condition. It’s also a great read if you want to understand the lived experience of neurodivergent leaders.
Doyle, N. (2025) Learning from Neurodivergent Leaders: How to start, survive and thrive in leadership. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Dyslexia and Me: How to survive and thrive if you’re neurodivergent by Onyinye Udokporo
Onyinye Udokporo is on the panel of speakers at Event 23: Is the Business World leading society on Neuroinclusion?
Dyslexia and Me is Onyinye Udokporo’s personal story of learning to embrace her dyslexia diagnosis and forging a path for herself as a successful entrepreneur and educator. Dealing with themes of intersectionality and representation, she aims to be the role model for others that she wished she had had whilst growing up in London as a young girl of Nigerian heritage.
Read this book if: you’re looking for inspiration and encouragement to overcome obstacles and find your strengths.
Udokporo, O. (2023) Dyslexia and Me: How to survive and thrive if you’re neurodivergent. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Podcasts
Don’t feel like reading? Check out these podcasts featuring Neurodiversity Celebration Week speakers:
- Neurodiversity with Theo Smith (Theo Smith, Event 12)
- The Hidden 20% (Ben Branson, Event 1)
- The Case for a Neurodiverse Culture – Beyond the Water Cooler with Lisa Lloyd (Mel Francis, Event 4)
- ADHD Founders Unfiltered (Tania Gerard, Event 20)
Do you have any recommendations of books and resources on neurodiversity? Let us know in the comments.
The self-issue machine in the Sainsbury Library will be out of action. If you wish to borrow or return a book, please speak to a member of library staff or complete a book borrowing slip and place it in the book return box. It is essential that you bring your University Card with you, as books cannot be issued without your barcode number. 
