Different, Not Less

A Neurodivergent's Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After

By: Chloé Hayden

Narrated by: Chloé Hayden

A neurodivergent's guide to embracing your true self and finding your happily ever after.

Growing up, Chloé Hayden felt like she'd crash-landed on an alien planet where nothing made sense. Eye contact? Small talk? And why are you people so touch-oriented? She moved between 10 schools in 8 years, struggling to become a person she believed society would accept, and was eventually diagnosed with autism and ADHD. When a life-changing group of allies showed her that different did not mean less, she learned to celebrate her true voice and find her happily ever after.

This is a moving, at times funny story of how it feels to be neurodivergent as well as a practical guide, with advice for living with meltdowns and shutdowns, tips for finding supportive communities and much more.

Whether you're neurodivergent or supporting those who are,  Different, Not Less will inspire you to create a more inclusive world where everyone feels like they belong.

Chloé Hayden is an award-winning actor and disability advocate, motivational speaker and social media influencer whose story of being 'different, not less' has attracted a worldwide following. She stars as Quinni in Heartbreak High, the Netflix remake of the iconic Australian series.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Chloé Hayden (P)2022 Audible Australia Pty Ltd.

Thank you

This book was extremely helpful understanding my autistic son. I plan to recommend it to him.

Words can not begin to describe her influence!!!

Never have I found a more relatable book. Chloe Hayden demonstrates infallible vulnerability, courage, and selflessness by sharing her experience. "Different, Not Less" speaks to the stigma of mental health and the discrimination Neurodivergent people face in our own communities. While I live in North America and am a white Transgender Female in my 20s', there are countless number of differences but there are just as many similarities. Chloe you are so incredibly brave and your story inspires me to embrace all that I am with acceptance and love. I have found so much of myself by hearing your story and you give me the courage to share mine and strive to advocate for myself and others here in the U.S.
Thank You Chloe, and all of your sidekicks.

- Paige Renee Allen

Absolute Must-read!

I really wish this was 6th or 7th grade required reading. The author does an amazing job highlighting the uniqueness of the neurodivergent mind. Having someone on the spectrum's perspective is so refreshing. I'm on the spectrum as are my 4 children with all of our different "spice" blends and this book was truly empowering. I'm having my 10 and 15 year olds listen to it and have asked my entire family and friend group to read it as well.

Life changing

Chloe is such a sweet and important voice in the autism community. Her role in Heart Break high made me feel so represented as an autistic person so when I heard about this book I knew I had to read it.
Her story is so similar to mine and the way she sees our lives as fairy tales helps me to see our challenges in such a more hopeful light.
This book includes so much good advice and relatable stories for autistic people. I highly recommend it

Stunning read

Loved this book and all its little details. Chloe is an incredible autism educator. This book covers so many wonderful topics, all while reminding us that we are unique individuals.

Just WOW!

My daughter is 2 years younger than Chloe. This could be her story, except she is still working to find her happily ever after. The openness with which Chloe shares her story is beautiful. My daughter, and so many others can read this and see themselves. They can see hope for their own futures if they can find and focus on their own, ‘eye sparkles.’
She speaks openly about the struggles, bullying (by both adults and peers), desertion by so called friends, feeling of wrongness, societal dismissal, and pain she has faced.
The book contains advice for both neuro diverse individuals and those who care about them. We, as a global society, must change our mindset.
I am sending audible copies to everyone I know with an audible account, kindle books to others. As soon as the book is available in print in the US, I will be purchasing copies for everyone who knows and interacts with my daughter. I will also be purchasing a few copies to keep on hand to share with new members of our circle who need to read this book.

Amazing

As someone who is new to their Autism journey this book has been so helpful.

Must Read!

I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, and I am raising a child with ADHD as well. Neither of us have autism, but so many of the behaviors overlap. This book was fantastic for my personal growth and for helping me raise my kid. You can hear the passion in the author’s voice as she reads. Everyone - neurodivergent and neurotypical - should read this book.

A beautiful and true story about how one woman made her dreams come true

Too often, stories about autistic folks and about those who struggle with mental health only show one side of the story. Chloé tells her story and relates it to the other stories she knows. It felt like she was telling my story at times and the fact that she reads the book aloud makes it more personal and authentic. I love how I can hear every laugh, every inflection of her voice. I feel like she is actually telling her story, not just reading it. I don’t find many books that give true resources and tools that help with mental health and neurodivergence. I also deeply appreciated the specific content warnings right before each section, not just as an overall warning for the entire book. This made me feel seen and allowed me to navigate this book with love and care toward myself. As a psychologist and a writer, I am very critical of the content that is spread about mental health, neurodivergence, and disabilities. Chloé’s lived experience and extensive research felt more honest and credible than most of the books I have read on the subject. There was no part that made me cringe or made me feel like she was trying to speak for the entire community. I definitely recommend to anyone regardless of your experience or knowledge about neurodivergence or mental health!

incredible story and so helpful

this book feels like the most comforting hug. helped me to realize things about myself and my life and is truly life changing