In August 2022, Hayden released the book Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent's Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After, [7] a part autobiography, part self-help book. Hayden stated, "I wrote this book because I wish I had it when I was diagnosed [with autism]." [6] [7] 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. Clement, Charli (22 September 2022). "Why Heartbreak High's autistic queer representation is so groundbreaking". Digital Spy . Retrieved 28 May 2023.

Different, Not Less by Chloé Hayden | BIG W Different, Not Less by Chloé Hayden | BIG W

Now, Chloé is a power house in advocacy and a worldwide known name, with platforms of half a million followers and nearly half a billion views, in-person presentations at seminars, conferences, schools and her own tours in three continents to over a hundred thousand people, as well as starring as one of the worlds first autistic characters, Quinni in Netflix’s Heartbreak High. Hayden has a younger brother who is also autistic, [5] as well as an adopted brother and sister from Taiwan. [9] Career [ edit ] Winners Announced for the 2022 AACTA Awards". Australian Film Institute | Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts . Retrieved 28 May 2023. Hayden has been in a relationship with Dylan Rohan since 2020. [20] They got engaged in December 2022. [21] I thought that was good for me at the time, at least. Now, I struggle with crippling identity crises every other day and I still have a lingering fear that someone is looking over my shoulder on the train and judging me for whatever I’m doing. For years my stims were physically harmful because I couldn’t stim the way I wanted to – slapping or punching my thighs is still something I struggle to deal with. I don’t know where Tiana begins and where she ends. Is she the well-mannered and attentive girl who is ‘oh so mature’? Or is she the silent girl who looks like she’s zoning out every two seconds and mentally dying inside, but somehow manages to pull it together when the situation calls for it? This book reminds me that I deserve to feel comfortable in society. Neurodiverse and ‘different’ people are taught that you need to grow up or get out. We’re told that educational and employment institutions don’t have room for us. We’re given the impression that there is something fundamentally wrong with us for simply existing as we are, so we need to hide anything that screams being abnormal. It’s not fair.

An empowering lived-experience guide to celebrating and supporting neurodivergence from 24-year-old actor, social media star and disability advocate Chloé Hayden a b c d Topsfield, Jewel (24 September 2022). "Chloé Hayden channels her anger at Sia into scriptwriting gold for Heartbreak High". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 28 May 2023. An empowering lived-experience guide to celebrating and supporting neurodivergence from 24-year-old actor, social media star and disability advocate Chloe Hayden

Different, Not Less by Chloe Hayden - 9781922616180 - Dymocks Different, Not Less by Chloe Hayden - 9781922616180 - Dymocks

But walking a path alone for a while longer is better than sharing it with someone who’s going to make that path more difficult.”

When will my book be dispatched from your warehouse?

Hayden’s view of the world is crafted beautifully. On the surface, her writing doesn’t appear to be all that technical until you inspect it closer. There’s something captivating about the way Hayden writes about her experiences of feeling like she doesn’t belong. They’re absolutely heartbreaking and harrowing, but there’s something about her writing that made me unable to put the book down. Her writing is full of life and the sensorial experience that neurodiverse people are subjected to. It’s not the emotionless and metallic ‘autistic perspective’ force-fed to us in books like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time where an allistic author writes an autistic character as though they are a robot incapable of empathy (a common stereotype). Her writing is overflowing with personality and an autistic perspective that can only be expressed by someone who is autistic. In a way, it’s so endearing to see someone able to unabashedly express themselves, their needs and advocate for others without a voice (or surrounded by people who aren’t listening). Listen to yourself, listen to your mind, listen to your body. What do you need? What do you need to stay away from? You’re the expert on yourself, and it’s important to surround yourself with things that will benefit you.” Watson, Meg (28 February 2023). "Marvel Stadium announces changes after alleged ableism at Harry Styles show". The Age . Retrieved 28 May 2023.