Neurodiversity Resources for Children | Busy Scribbles

At Busy Scribbles, neurodiversity isn't an afterthought — it's integral to everything we do. Our journals were designed from the very start with neurodiverse children in mind, because the children who need these mental health resources the most deserve tools that truly support their children's wellbeing. 

We believe that every brain is brilliant. Some just need a little more space, a little more colour, and a whole lot less judgement.

Neurodiversity simply means that all brains are different — and that's a wonderful thing for children's wellbeing. Some children's brains are wired in ways that make certain things harder, but almost always come with incredible strengths too.

You might be here because your child has a diagnosis related to neurodiversity, or perhaps something just feels a little different and you're trying to figure out what they need for their mental health. Or maybe you're a parent who, like me, is on their own neurodiversity journey alongside their kids.

Wherever you're starting from — you're in the right place.

Here are some of the ways neurodiversity shows up in the children we create for:

ADHD — Big energy, creative minds, and a brain that's always buzzing. Focus can be tricky, but the ideas? Absolutely endless.

Autism — Deep thinkers who experience the world with incredible intensity. Often highly empathetic, wonderfully detail-oriented, and brilliantly unique, contributing to their emotional and mental health.

Dyslexia — Words on a page can be hard work, but these children often have remarkable problem-solving abilities and some of the most creative minds around, enhancing their overall wellbeing.

Anxiety — A mind that's always switched on and preparing for the worst. Exhausting to live with, but often a sign of deep empathy, huge imagination, and a child who cares enormously about the world around them, embodying the essence of nurturing mental health.

My name is Kate. I'm a mum of four absolutely marvellous, wonderfully neuro-spicy children. I'm also a Key Stage 2 Teaching Assistant and Drawing and Talking Therapist. I received my own ADHD diagnosis in my 40s, which explained rather a lot about my earlier years (sorry, Mum). 

Busy Scribbles wasn't created in a boardroom or by a marketing team. It was born at a kitchen table, by a mum who struggled to find mental health resources that truly supported her children's wellbeing — so she made them herself. Journals and planners that really help kids untangle whats in their minds, helping them process and respond to whatever life throws at them. 

Every single page of Busy Scribbles journals has been designed with life-experience at their heart, focusing on young people and their minds. Not just good intentions. Real, messy, wonderful, neurodiverse, lived experience.

My children are all 'on the spectrum' - just completely different parts of it! Each one thinks, feels, and experiences the world a little differently. Some days, that's the most beautiful thing, and other days, it can be really, really hard. That's why I created Busy Scribbles, to provide mental health resources that cater to their unique needs and promote children's wellbeing. I wanted something that met them exactly where they were — in their neurodiversity — not where the world expected them to be.

We didn't just slap a rainbow on a notebook and call it inclusive. Every design decision in our journals was made with neurodiverse children in mind, supporting their children's wellbeing and mental health resources: 

Bright, engaging layouts — Visually stimulating pages that hold attention and spark curiosity, without tipping into overwhelm. Designed for visual thinkers and sensory-sensitive children alike. 

Write OR draw — No pressure to use words if pictures feel easier. Children can scribble, doodle, color, or write — whatever works for their brain on that particular day. 

Short, structured activities — Perfect for children who struggle with open-ended tasks or who need a clear starting point before they dive in, fostering their engagement and mental health. 

Worry dump pages — A dedicated space to offload worries from their mind and onto the page, so they don't have to carry them around all day. This feature is particularly powerful for anxious and overthinking children, enhancing their overall wellbeing. 

Mindfulness through doing — Coloring pages, zentangle drawing, and creative activities that build calm and focus without asking children to sit still and just think about their breathing (because, ADHD). Such activities can be vital mental health resources for neurodiverse kids. 

Zero pressure, zero judgement — There are no wrong answers in a Busy Scribbles journal. No marks. No grades. No one reading over their shoulder. Just a safe little space that belongs entirely to them, promoting a positive environment for their mental health.

If you've found your way to this page, it's likely that you're engaged in the beautiful, exhausting journey of raising a child whose brain works differently. This is an experience that directly impacts children's wellbeing and mental health resources are crucial in supporting you along the way. 

You're not alone. We see you and we created this for both you and your neurodivergent child. 

Neurodivergent children don't need fixing; they need understanding, the right tools, and supportive people who genuinely believe in their potential. We hope Busy Scribbles can be one small but powerful part of that support. 💜