Different Minds

If you have an autistic child in school, you may be painfully aware that mainstream education wasn’t built with them in mind. In Different Minds , former teacher and neurodivergence campaigner Pete Wharmby reveals what it’s really like to be autistic in school today and why so many children are misunderstood. Through a blend of storytelling, impassioned polemic and empathetic advice, Wharmby exposes the inadequacies of the current system, reveals how differences are mislabelled ‘challenging behaviour’ and explains how to bridge the gap between the autistic and non-autistic worlds. Galvanising, validating and important, Different Minds empowers parents, teachers and carers to take a stand for our children and create the conditions they need to truly thrive. 'This is the book I'll be recommending to every parent who tells me their child is struggling' – Anna Mathur, psychotherapist and bestselling author 'A book I wish I had years ago. Every parent and teacher needs to read this' – Lisa Lloyd, Sunday Times bestselling author and SEN parent 'A bible for parents of school-aged autistic children' - Annie Ridout, author, journalist, poet 'One of the most important voices on autism and education today' – Jessie Hewitson, SEND agony aunt, The Times and the Sunday Times , and author of Autism: How to Raise a Happy Autistic Child 'Different Minds asks the forgotten question at the heart of modern education: are the kids alright? Compassionate, urgent and deeply validating.' – Leanne Maskell, author of AuDHD: Blooming Differently and ADHD an A–Z: Figuring it Out Step by Step © Pete Wharmby 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026