By: Ben Breaux, Bened Life Contributing Writer

Over a year ago, I had the honor of meeting Dr. Chris Papadopoulos of The University of Bedfordshire, when he reached out to request my involvement in a big and important project of his.  His goal – to create an “encyclopedia” of Neurodivergent terms, in an “A-Z” format with personal stories and insights from neurodivergent people themselves.  

I, along with 11 other contributors from across the globe, worked with Dr. Papadopoulos on crafting our entries to help build a comprehensive resource guide and text book that encapsulates the neurodivergent experience. The result is Voices of Neurodiversity: An Inclusive Encyclopedia.

I am so very proud and excited to be one of the 12 neurodivergents selected to give a voice to people who are often talked about instead of talked to.  It is an incredible project that will hopefully garner the attention and appreciation it is due. I hope you enjoy hearing the shared facts, thoughts, and insights as much as I do.

These are the topics I personally address in the Encyclopedia: 

• Burnout             
• Communication/Regulation Partners                    
• Hyperempathy
• Identity First Language 
• Communication Through Behaviour
• Nonspeaking People         

My interview with Dr. Chris Papadopoulos 

I talked with Dr. Papadopoulos about the process of writing the book, the challenges and unexpected joys, and what's next now that it's done.

What was your inspiration for writing this book?

I’d long had the idea of writing something within the autism and neurodiversity space. I’ve always loved encyclopaedias. They suit the way my brain works: systemic, exploratory, and non-linear. As a lifelong Star Trek fan, I was obsessed with The Star Trek Encyclopaedia growing up. I loved the idea that you could sit down with a cup of tea, open the book at any page, and just explore. There was no fixed beginning or end - it was accessible, relaxed, and endlessly engaging.

When I started researching, I realised there wasn’t a single encyclopaedia on neurodiversity. Given how broad, complex, and evolving the field is, that struck me as a major gap. Working both in academia and on the front line through my charity, I often see professionals, families, and even Autistic people confused about terminology and core concepts. The language around neurodiversity shifts quickly, and many still aren’t aware of the newer, more inclusive ideas that are shaping understanding today.

So the idea of bringing all that together in one accessible A-Z made perfect sense. But I also didn’t want to produce something dry or purely definitional. I wanted it to have heart - to make the ideas come alive through lived experience. That’s why I invited neurodivergent contributors from around the world to write short personal pieces reflecting on specific terms and what they mean in their lives. Those stories give the book emotional resonance as well as intellectual value.

That’s also why I called it an inclusive encyclopaedia. It’s not just about concepts; it’s about people and voices. I’m proud that it represents so many diverse perspectives and experiences, while filling a real gap that existed in the literature.

What sort of impact are you hoping this has on the general public?

I’m hoping the book will have a strong impact on professionals in particular - people who work directly with autistic and neurodivergent individuals in care, support, health, or education settings. I want those professionals to really understand the nuances of neurodiversity: the language, the concepts, and the ways in which their words and approaches can either empower or harm.

One of the things I’m proudest of is that the book includes a whole category devoted to stigmatising and pathological concepts. It’s there to help readers recognise outdated or damaging ideas so they can actively avoid them in their work. For example, if someone reads the entry on ABA and learns why it’s considered harmful, or sees how a contributor’s story brings that harm to life, it might make them think twice about using it. Likewise, the book highlights why identity-first language (“Autistic person”) is generally preferred, and why terms like “ASD” or “disorder” are problematic. Even small shifts in language and mindset can make a huge difference to how neurodivergent people are supported.

But beyond professionals, I hope the book reaches anyone on their own journey of self-discovery or self-identification as Autistic or neurodivergent. I want it to help them understand themselves better, to see their differences as something to be proud of, and to find language that supports self-advocacy rather than self-blame. Internalised ableism can be deeply damaging, and I hope the book helps counter that - showing that neurodivergence isn’t the problem; the environment often is.

Finally, the lived-experience stories are there to deepen that impact. The twelve contributors come from very different socio-cultural backgrounds and countries, and that diversity was intentional. I wanted readers to see how context shapes experience - how different environments, levels of acceptance, and cultural attitudes influence outcomes. If readers come away understanding that neurodivergent people can thrive when environments are supportive and inclusive, then I’ll feel the book has done its job.

Were you surprised by anything on this writing journey?

I wouldn’t say I was surprised by much, to be honest. Most of the challenges I anticipated did happen, so nothing really caught me off guard – except for one small thing towards the end, which I’ll come to.

One of the biggest challenges, which I fully expected, was finding the right balance between breadth and depth. I wanted the book to include a wide range of concepts, but each one needed enough substance to make it meaningful. That’s always tricky when you’re working to a fixed word count. You can easily go deeper on every term, but then you’d end up with far fewer entries. Getting that balance right took time, and although there were moments I wished I could have written more about certain concepts, I think the final structure worked well. I’m proud that the book covers over 380 terms and includes more than 65 lived-experience stories. It feels comprehensive without being overwhelming.

[A] thing I found surprising, in a good way, was just how smooth the process was with the publisher, Routledge. You sometimes hear horror stories about authors feeling unsupported, but my experience was completely the opposite. The Routledge team were brilliant – responsive, empowering, and genuinely invested in the book’s vision.

The only other surprise came right at the end. After spending nearly two years working so closely on something, you lose all sense of objectivity about whether it’s actually any good. By the time I handed in the final manuscript, I was riddled with anxiety about how it would be received. You just can’t tell anymore when you’re so deep in it. 

So I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised by the incredible feedback the book has received since publication. The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, and that’s been a huge relief and a real joy.

Were there any entries that had a strong impact on you?

Honestly, every story in the book had an impact on me. Each contributor brought something deeply personal, emotional, and thought-provoking, and I felt that very strongly while editing and reading their work. But if I had to pick out a few that particularly stayed with me, I’d start with your piece (Benjamin Breaux) on hyperempathy.

Hyperempathy is such an important and defining concept within autism and neurodivergence. I explain it conceptually in the book - what it means, how it works - but your story brought it vividly to life. 

The way you described how negative emotions can feel externally transmitted, like an electric jolt from someone else rather than something arising from within, was incredibly powerful. Your insight into how that makes those emotions harder to process – because they don’t originate from you, so you can’t easily trace or soothe them – gave me a much richer appreciation of the experience behind the term. It captured both the beauty and the challenge of hyperempathy perfectly, and I think it genuinely added a new layer of meaning to the entry.

Another piece that really struck me was Joan LaPlana’s story on ableism. He wrote about his experiences as a nurse in the NHS, where early in his career he was misunderstood, unsupported, and unfairly dismissed due to ableist attitudes. Years later, after understanding his own neurodivergence and learning to self-advocate, he rebuilt his confidence and professional identity – eventually being named Nurse of the Year in the UK. That transformation, from being stigmatised and pushed out to being celebrated nationally, powerfully demonstrates both the harm that ableism causes and the incredible outcomes that can emerge when people are understood and supported.

I was also very moved by Joris Fouet’s reflections, particularly his story about monotropism. He described how his intensely focused way of thinking can be both a strength and a struggle. His example about gaming – where he felt compelled to complete a video game at all costs, sometimes to the point of exhaustion or neglecting other needs – was striking. But he also showed the other side: how that same monotropic focus can lead to deep mastery, productivity, and creativity. It’s a beautifully honest portrayal of the dual nature of neurodivergent intensity.

All of the contributors were incredibly generous in what they shared. These are deeply personal stories, often touching on moments of pain, misunderstanding, or vulnerability, and it takes courage to put that into print. I’m profoundly grateful to each of them for pouring their hearts into the project with such openness and sincerity. I honestly believe their words will move readers as much as they moved me.

What was the process like for choosing contributors for the book?

It was quite an organic process, really. First, I had to figure out roughly how many contributors would make sense. I initially thought about having ten, but the more I reflected on it, the more I realised that adding a couple more would bring greater diversity and depth. So I settled on twelve, which turned out to be the perfect number. It allowed for a really rich mix of perspectives and voices.

My main goal was representation - in every sense of the word. I wanted diversity in sociocultural and geographical backgrounds, gender, ethnicity, and neurodivergent identities. But one of my strongest priorities was to ensure non-speaking representation. 

In my view, non-speaking and minimally speaking people are among the most underrepresented and misunderstood groups within the neurodivergent community. They’re too often assumed to lack competence, agency, or intelligence, and that’s simply wrong. Communication differences are just that – differences. Speech isn’t inherently superior to other forms of communication. With the right support, environment, and understanding, non-speaking people’s voices can and should be heard.

So I was absolutely delighted that you, Benjamin Breaux, joined as one of the contributors. Your participation was incredibly meaningful to me, and your voice shines through beautifully in the book. I’m deeply grateful to you, your family, and your communication partners for helping make that possible.

In terms of how I found contributors, it started with people I already knew through my academic and charity work. For example, I’d already connected with Andrew Kingslow, who had previously reached out to the London Autism Group Charity, and with Virginia Grant from Australia’s Reframing Autism, who had been a wonderful guest on The Autism Podcast. I also knew Joris Fouet through the charity. Those three were the early anchors.

From there, it evolved through recommendations, research, and networking. I wanted to bring in representation from as many different regions as I could. For example, in Central and Southeast Europe, I didn’t have direct contacts, so I reached out to my colleague Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou, who connected me with Kosjenka Petek in Croatia, a leading Autistic advocate there. I read about each potential contributor’s work, looked at their public voice and impact, and thought carefully about how each one would contribute to the overall balance. I wanted to avoid duplication of perspective - each person needed to bring something distinct, both thematically and culturally.

Once I had that mix of twelve, everything fell into place. I was incredibly lucky that everyone I invited agreed and was so open, kind, and enthusiastic. They understood the purpose of the project and were excited about contributing to something that blended knowledge with lived experience. For many, it was also an opportunity to have their voices amplified in a context that often sidelines them.

In the end, the process was a blend of strategic planning and natural connection. It came together beautifully, and I couldn’t have asked for a more diverse, generous, and talented group of contributors.

You recently left the University of Bedfordshire; what’s next for you?

Yes, I left the University of Bedfordshire at the end of July 2025 after about fifteen years there. I genuinely loved my time at the university – teaching, supporting students, and conducting research that I hope made a meaningful impact. Much of my academic work focused on autism stigma: how it manifests, how it can be challenged, and how we can build more inclusive and affirming systems of understanding. That area of research has always been close to my heart.

I’ve spent my whole career in academia, from completing my PhD to teaching and researching across several universities. But after fifteen years at Bedfordshire, I decided it was time to take a break and focus more fully on something that has been growing alongside my academic work for several years - the London Autism Group Charity, which I founded in 2017.

The charity originally grew out of a Facebook group I created in 2014 called the London Autism Group, which unexpectedly became quite popular and supportive for many people. That success inspired me to establish a registered charity so we could help even more Autistic people, families, and allies across London and surrounding areas. For years, I led it voluntarily as Chair of Trustees while balancing my university role, but it became clear that to take the charity to the next level, it needed someone leading it day-to-day in a CEO capacity. So I made the leap and took on that role myself.

So I’m now the CEO, and honestly, I’m loving it. It’s challenging and fast-paced, with a lot of spinning plates - from managing volunteers and developing policies, to securing funding, creating new community initiatives, and building partnerships. But it’s incredibly rewarding. I get to see tangible, real-world change every week, and that’s deeply fulfilling.

I’ve always believed that people don’t have to stay in one career forever. Life’s too short not to explore new directions if they align with your passions and values. As long as you’ve got good people around you and the right environment, it’s absolutely worth taking that chance.

For now, my main focus is on growing the charity and continuing to get Voices of Neurodiversity out into the world. Promoting a book like this is a full-time job in itself, and I want to give it the attention it deserves. I do hope to write another book in the future, but at the moment, my energy is on building impact through both the charity and the book’s message.

How to purchase a copy of the book

Direct from Routledge, the publisher (with 20% discount!) : Voices of Neurodiversity: An Inclusive Encyclopaedia - 1st Edition

Amazon.com (US): Amazon.com: Voices of Neurodiversity: 9781032761541: Papadopoulos, Chris: Books

Amazon.co.uk (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Neurodiversity-Encyclopaedia-Chris-Papadopoulos/dp/1032761547/

A note: Amazon’s printing process is different from the Routledge process.  If you are looking for the highest quality print, the publisher’s version is the one to go for.

About Dr. Papadopoulos

Dr Chris Papadopoulos is a neurodivergent academic, neurodiversity advocate, and father of Autistic children. With a career in academia and research, he has developed expertise in autism, mental health, community health, and health technologies. He is the founder and lead of the London Autism Group Charity, dedicated to supporting Autistic individuals and their families, and creating social change that embraces and empowers Autistic and neurodivergent people. 

Drawing on academic knowledge, extensive charity work, and lived experience, Papadopoulos offers a nuanced perspective on neurodiversity. His work bridges research, advocacy, and real-world support, ensuring his contributions are both insightful and deeply grounded in the realities faced by neurodivergent people. He is a proponent of the social model of disability and a vocal critic of pathologising framings of Autistic and neurodivergent identities.

In his book 'Voices of Neurodiversity: An Inclusive Encyclopaedia', he brings together global perspectives to create an accessible and comprehensive guide. Developed in collaboration with neurodivergent contributors from across the world, the encyclopaedia explores the richness of neurodiversity and neurodivergence in an engaging and inclusive way. Through his research, advocacy, and personal experience, Papadopoulos ensures this work is both informative and deeply human, making it an invaluable resource for professionals, educators, policymakers, families, neurodivergent individuals, and anyone curious to learn more about neurodiversity.

About Ben Breaux

Ben Breaux is a 25-year-old nonspeaking Autistic from Northern VA. He has written many articles for Autism and Disability Advocacy groups both in the US and worldwide. Ben is a very proud representative for the nonspeaking community on several advocacy boards and committees, both in the state of VA and nationally. He is currently working toward a high school diploma via “ACCESS,” an online academic and support program for Alternative Learners. He strives daily to show the world that a disability will not hold him – or others like him – back.