Neurodivergent Rebel

Photo of Lyric Rivera holding four books, looking down at the (The Au=sm Iden=ty and Me Children's Workbook and Parent Guide, Workplace Neurodiversity Rising, and The Weight of Normal) and smiling. — Photo of Lyric Rivera holding four
books, looking down at the (The
Autism Identity and Me Children’s
Workbook and Parent Guide, Workplace Neurodiversity Rising, and The Weight of Normal) and smiling.

Lyric is the author of the best-selling business ethics book, Workplace Neurodiversity Rising (which was praised in Forbes as “an excellent ‘how to manual’ based on lived experience and professional competence”).

Other titles Lyric has worked on include collaborating with Rebecca Duffus on the U.S. version of the popular children’s workbook Autism, Identity, and Me (adult version coming worldwide fall 2026), and Neurodivergent Rebel’s The Weight of Normal.

Lyric is also the creator of #AskingAutistics, a hashtag that connects Autistic people and allies around the globe.

The philosophy of Neurodivergent Consulting is to support the creation of accessible workplaces and other spaces (via universal design) that enable Neurodivergent (and all) people to fully realize their unique talents and fresh perspectives through care and support of the whole person. This allows us to bring our full selves to the spaces we enter.

In Lyric’s words:

I’m NeuroDivergent (Autistic and also ADHD), but I did not know this fact for the first 29 years of my life, which had a devastating impact on me.

For the first 29 years of my life, I did not know myself (and only projected outwardly what I thought others wanted me to be), keeping others at a distance and preventing them from getting to know the real me.

I was misunderstood by and felt inferior to, those around me, who often scolded me for struggling with things they found easy. Being isolated put me in a dark mental space.

Not understanding my own mind meant I was unable to properly care for myself, leading my physical health to decline. When I was finally diagnosed Autistic, a few months before my 30th birthday, I had reached a crisis point (thanks to a lifetime of mirroring and trying to emulate people with brains unlike mine), and neglecting my needs as a multiply-NeuroDivergent Person.

Rock bottom, misunderstood, isolated, alone. In mental and physical decline, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go on living. Then, something happened: I found out I was NeuroDivergent and started viewing myself through the NeuroDiversity Paradigm, and my life changed.

Suddenly, I didn’t see myself as an “inferior version” of the people around me. My mind was different, and that was okay.

For the first time in my life (at least that I can remember), I went from hating myself to having compassion for myself (even my struggles and weaknesses) and eventually even having pride in (and liking, maybe even loving) myself.

Immediately, I realized that my life was better because of my newfound understanding of NeuroDiversity and that my life (and the lives of all NeuroDivergent People) could be even better if the rest of the world understood and embraced the NeuroDiversity model (instead of the pathological one currently used).

Coming to this realization after being diagnosed Autistic in adulthood is how my purpose (educating people on Autism, NeuroDiversity, and Neuro-Inclusion) found me.

I’m passionate about promoting NeuroDiversity and Neuro-Inclusion in all types of spaces, but most often work with employers who want to treat their employees better.

Neuro-inclusion is a concept that extends beyond your NeuroDivergent team members; it’s about fostering an inclusive environment for EVERYONE, regardless of their cognitive makeup.

Embracing diverse, supportive, and inclusive teams is not just a moral imperative, but also a smart business move. It leads to a more engaged, effective, and productive workforce, ultimately driving business success.

As a consultant, I’ve successfully helped organizations of all shapes and sizes to create a more welcoming environment for NeuroDivergent (and ALL team members).

Services

Facilitation & Training – Live and on-demand virtual options available (example 1, example 2, example 3)
Neuro-Inclusion & Queer Inclusion Consulting
Writing – Blogs & Articles (example 1, example 2, example 3)
Speaking & Appearances (example 1, example 2, example 3)
NeuroDivergent & Queer Inclusion Related Branding & Sensitivity Readings (for books, blogs, documents, and publications)