Just A Thought By Jason Gruhl

Intended Audience: ~8-12 year olds as well as carers, educators, or others trying to promote and foster understanding of neurodivergent individuals

Written By a Neurodivergent: No, the author is a counselor and educational consultant

Audio Companion Available: Yes, unofficially on YouTube

Neuro Affirming Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK

We all have thoughts—hundreds, maybe thousands, every single day. Some are silly, some are serious, and some stick around longer than we’d like. Just a Thought is a book that reminds readers, especially children, that thoughts come and go, and they don’t define who we are.

This book offers a gentle and engaging way to introduce mindfulness, helping kids understand that they can observe their thoughts without being controlled by them. Through simple, accessible language and vibrant illustrations, Just a Thought encourages children to recognize that they are more than the thoughts they think.

By offering a calm and reassuring perspective, Just a Thought is a valuable tool for parents, educators, and caregivers to help children develop self-awareness and emotional regulation. It’s an invitation to approach thoughts with curiosity instead of judgment—an important skill for children and adults alike.

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.