Don't Hug Doug

By Carrie Finison

Intended Audience: 3-8 year olds as well as carers, educators, or others trying to promote and foster understanding of neurodivergent individuals.           

Written By a Neurodivergent: No

Audio Companion Available: Yes, unofficially on YouTube

Neuro Affirming Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK

Teaching children about personal boundaries and consent is an essential part of emotional and social development. Don’t Hug Doug by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman, is a fun, lighthearted, and empowering picture book that helps kids understand that not everyone likes hugs—and that’s okay!

The story follows Doug, a friendly and confident boy who simply doesn’t like hugs. Through engaging illustrations and a playful narrative, children learn that everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to physical touch and that the best way to know what someone prefers is simple: ask first.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Teaches Consent in a Kid-Friendly Way – Shows children that everyone has different personal preferences, and it’s okay to set boundaries.

• Normalizes Different Sensory Needs – Recognizes that not everyone enjoys hugs, reinforcing the idea that neurodivergent and sensory-sensitive children have valid boundaries.

• Encourages Communication & Respect – Reinforces asking before touching, helping kids build empathy and awareness of others’ feelings.

• Lighthearted & Engaging – Uses humor and bright illustrations to make an important lesson accessible and fun for young readers.

  
  

By normalizing bodily autonomy and affirming different sensory preferences, Don’t Hug Doug is a good resource for parents, educators, and caregivers who want to help kids understand personal space, boundaries, and consent in a way that feels natural, not forced.

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ABOUT THE READER

Elisabeth Anderson is a neuro affirming neurodivergent school psychologist with 10 years of public service and is the owner of Connected Family Practice. She is also the Director of Assessment for The ABLE Center.  Elisabeth has been recognized by families, colleagues, and school administrators for her leadership and knowledge as a policy writer, consultant and trainer. Elisabeth’s insights have made her a sought after internship supervisor.  Elisabeth believes that families should be able to find the supports they need both during and after the identification process to build greater understanding of neurodivergent brains, their needs, and potential support options. 

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Elisabeth’s Neuro Affirming Likert Rating Scale

⭐️: The resource contains language or content that perpetuates stereotypes, stigma, or misinformation about neurodiversity. It fails to use respectful and inclusive terminology, and may even promote harmful attitudes towards neurodiverse individuals.

⭐️⭐️: The resource makes some attempts at inclusivity, but still falls short in using affirming language and portraying neurodiversity in a positive light. It may contain instances of language or content that could be perceived as insensitive or exclusionary.

⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource generally demonstrates a decent level of neurodiversity affirming language and content. It makes efforts to use respectful terminology and accurately portrays neurodiverse experiences, although there may still be room for improvement in certain areas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource consistently uses affirming language and content to depict neurodiversity in a positive and respectful manner. It actively challenges stereotypes and promotes understanding and acceptance of neurodiverse individuals and communities.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource excels in its use of neurodiversity affirming language and content. It goes above and beyond to accurately represent the diverse experiences of neurodiverse individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. It serves as a valuable resource for promoting inclusivity and understanding in both neurodiverse and neurotypical audiences.