The Neurodivergent Learner: A New Approach to Your Child's Success in the Classroom and Beyond

An indispensable, first-of-its-kind roadmap for parents and educators of neurodivergent children, packed with science-backed strategies and real-life stories to help every child thrive in--and beyond--the classroom

Your neurodivergent child is growing up in a world that wasn't built for them. A world that asks them to sit still, learn in the same way as everyone else, and thrive in a system that too often ignores their unique strengths. Because of the way their brain is wired, school can feel overwhelming--for them and for you. But your child is not broken. They are amazing.

Child psychologist and mom of two neurodivergent sons, Emily W. King, PhD, has spent twenty years listening to kids, parents, and teachers, and building bridges between them. In The Neurodivergent Learner, she combines cutting-edge neuroscience with real-life stories to show parents how to stop pushing their children into a mold--and instead help them flourish on their own path. With warmth, expertise, and a deep understanding of how kids actually learn, Dr. King gives families the confidence and tools to partner with educators, reduce stress at home, and nurture the whole child.

Inside, you'll discover:

• What's really happening in your child's brain when school feels "too much."
• Why homework, testing, and traditional classrooms often miss the mark--and what to do instead.
• Practical strategies for working with teachers (not against them) to create learning environments where your child thrives.
• How to manage energy, anxiety, and overwhelm without sacrificing joy, curiosity, or confidence.
• Stories from kids themselves that reveal how empowering it feels to be understood.
• Tools to help your child embrace their uniqueness, find their allies, and redefine what success looks like--inside and outside the classroom.

As Dr. King writes, "our children don't need fixing--they need understanding, creativity, and collaboration." Whether your child is autistic, gifted, has ADHD, or simply learns differently, The Neurodivergent Learner is the essential guide to helping them find success in school and beyond.

Author: Emily W. PhD King
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Published: 08/25/2026
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.25lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.40w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9780593838709

About the Author
Emily W. King, PhD, is a child psychologist, speaker, and parent educator with a PhD in school psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She specializes in providing therapy and consultation services for children living with autism, anxiety, ADHD, and learning difficulties. She is certified in DIR/Floortime(R), well-versed in psychoeducational evaluations and cognitive behavioral therapy, and was cited in Penn and Kim Holderness's New York Times bestseller ADHD Is Awesome. She has been published in Child Today, Journal of Applied Psychology, and Exceptional Children. She is the founder of Learn with Dr. Emily(R), and in 2022 she created The Neurodiverse Classroom(R), a professional development curriculum for K-12 educators.