A Different Sort of Normal: The award-winning true story about growing up autistic

CHILDREN'S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR, THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS - SHORTLISTED
BLUE PETER BOOK AWARDS BEST BOOK WITH FACTS - LONGLISTED
OBSERVER CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH

Discover the award-winning true story of one girl's journey growing up autistic and undiagnosed – a must-read book about autism, neurodiversity and embracing who you are - for kids and adults alike. If you've ever felt different, out of place, like you don't fit in - this book is for you.

'This book is what I needed as a kid! Empathetic, joyful and beautifully authentic.' - Elle McNicoll, author of A Kind of Spark

'I REALLY love it. It's the book I wish I'd had when I was a kid. Buy it for your kids, your parents, your grandparents. Mostly buy it for yourself' - Holly Smale, author of the Geek Girl Series

‘Honest, real and downright brilliant’ - Louise Gooding, author of Wonderfully Wired Brains


Hi! My name is Abigail and I’m autistic.

But when I was a child I didn’t know I was autistic. In fact - it wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I discovered my neurodivergence and my life finally started to make sense.

This book follows my journey of self discovery from childhood through adulthood, as I attempt to navigate the confusing world around me - a world predominantly built for neurotypical brains.

In this book you’ll find:

VERY IMPORTANT FACTS about neurodiversity, neurodivergence, autistic traits, autism and gender, sensory sensitivities, social communication, emotions, friendships, bullying, sensory overload, meltdowns, family, school, special interests, masking, puberty AND MORE

VERY PERSONAL STORIES involving toilets, cats, poo, swimming pools, my ridiculous family, my slightly unusual way of trying to make friends, falling up the French stairs wearing a skirt, getting locked in a cinema overnight and MORE embarrassing (and often hilarious) moments like these…

PLUS TIPS for supporting the neurodivergent people in your life, advocating for your own needs as a neurodivergent person, and learning to embrace what makes you different.

It’s for children. It’s for adults. It’s for neurodivergent people. It’s for neurotypical people. It’s for parents, carers, siblings, teachers, librarians, psychiatrists, doctors, nurses - and everyone else too.

Basically - it’s for you.

EXTRA IMPORTANT AND LITTLE KNOWN FACT: A Different Sort of Normal is also indirectly a story about growing up as an auDHD person - because nearly a year after this book was published I received my ADHD diagnosis!


Discover why readers love A Different sort of Normal:

‘Funny, poignant and wise, with a rich seam of understanding and empathy . . . one of the best children's non-fiction books I've read in a long time’ The Bookseller

‘Probably the most accessible & engaging book I have ever read’ Dyslexic Reviews

‘Insightful, accessible and easy to navigate, this is an essential book for autistic and allistic (non-autistic) readers of all ages’ BookTrust

'Funny, fascinating . . . a rewarding and highly entertaining read' Guardian

‘A hugely engaging, funny and informative account of being neurodivergent’ Observer

‘Empathic, informative, hilarious, endearing gem of a book’ - ****** Reader Review

‘My 9yr old has read this cover to cover so many times but I’d recommend it for a huge age range including adults too…This book was our favourite and most useful purchase post diagnosis. It is written with such care, kindness and good humour about many of the insights into autistic life that would never feature in the DSM.’ - ****** Reader Review

‘I’m so happy this book exists. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, warm and wise. Abigail Balfe is like the fun but ultimately responsible and trustworthy big sister all autistic kids need in their lives.’ ***** Reader Review

‘This helped me feel seen and heard as a late dx'd adult. My local autism services now recommend this book to newly diagnosed people as it is easy to digest with lots of personal anecdotes as well as facts about autism written in an easy to understand way.’ ****** Reader Review

‘Although I don’t have Autism, I do have ADHD. If you are familiar with ADHD, you may or may not know that a lot of ADHD symptoms overlap with autism. I instantly felt a connection with Abigail, her brain ticks like mine, and it’s fantastic! … I wish little me who struggled growing up, had this book to read. I instantly felt like someone else understands me without having to say anything’ ****** Reader Review

Abigail Balfe (Author, Illustrator)
Abigail is a Brighton-based writer, illustrator and creative producer. Original storytelling has always been at the heart of Abigail's career and she has spent a decade leading social media campaigns for some of the biggest TV & entertainment clients in the world. Abigail also used to perform stand-up comedy and won several tiny trophies for her onstage humour; which involved life-size illustrations, ridiculous songs and rambling stories about her family.