Pete Wharmby
Author. Educator. Neurodivergent Voice We Desperately Need.
Sometimes you stumble across someone online who isn’t just saying the right things—they’re saying the things you didn’t know you needed to hear.
That’s what happened to me with Pete Wharmby.
Pete was diagnosed as autistic at 34, and since then, he’s done what many of us only dream of doing: he’s thrown his whole self into reshaping how the world sees autism. But not in a polished, PR-friendly way. In a Pete way.
And frankly? In a way that’s helped a lot of us feel ok doing things our own way.
From Teacher to Neurodivergent Trailblazer
Before Pete became a bestselling author and sought-after speaker, he was a secondary English teacher in the UK. That background shows up in his writing. Clear, intelligent, a little witty, and deeply rooted in humanity.
Since his diagnosis, Pete has gone all in on advocacy. He’s spoken at conferences across the UK, Europe, and North America. He’s been invited into conversations with businesses, governments, and educational institutions that really need to hear from someone like him. And he’s done it all while parenting and navigating life as an AuDHDer.
Honestly, I don’t know how he does it all. But I’m glad he does. And I’m glad I stumbled across him that day.
Books That Don’t Just Explain—They Validate
Pete’s first book, What I Want to Talk About, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in 2022, is part memoir, part cultural critique, and part permission slip. It reads like sitting on the back porch next to a friend and them saying, “Hey, let’s talk about how weird and hard this all is.” In the best possible way.
Then came Untypical, published by HarperCollins in 2023. This one is loud, brilliant, and biting. Pete doesn’t sugarcoat anything (in the most beautiful autistic way possible). He names what needs naming, and he calls for real, systemic change for neurodivergent folks. It's the book I wish I had the minute I KNEW I’m autistic, and the one I’ll be recommending to every teacher, HR manager, and confused family member from now on.
Online, On-Point, and Unapologetically Himself
Pete’s active on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, where he shares insights that hit hard and often go viral for good reason. He has this gift of breaking down complex neurodivergent experiences in ways that feel both punchy and poetic.
Whether it’s a post about masking in the workplace, an explainer on dyspraxia, or a video where he just says what so many of us are thinking… Pete shows up. Authentically. Repeatedly. And always with a voice that makes you stop scrolling.
Follow & Learn More
Books
What I Want to Talk About (Jessica Kingsley Publishers)
Untypical (HarperCollins)
Website: www.petewharmby.com
Instagram: @PeteWharmby
LinkedIn: Pete Wharmby
YouTube: Peter Wharmby
Pete doesn’t just talk about neurodivergence; he embodies it. Loudly. Compassionately. With nuance and depth and just the right amount of righteous fire. Featuring him here isn’t just about celebrating his work (though we absolutely should). It’s about reminding ourselves what’s possible when we stop trying to be palatable and start being our wonderfully autistic selves. Or allowing others to be, even if we’re not.
He’s not just saying what we wish we could say.
He’s saying what we need to say and helping us all feel a little less alone while he does it.
Psssst….he doesn’t JUST write, he doodles and paints, too!
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About the Author
Gal is an autistic artist, late-diagnosed at 49, and the creator of AuRTistic Expressions—a space where neurodivergent truth meets creative survival. Through blog posts, printables, courses, and the “This Might Get Messy” podcast, Gal explores what it means to unmask safely, communicate authentically, and make art that doesn’t ask for permission. Stick around—there’s plenty more where this came from.
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Cover Photo: Pete Wharmby’s Doodles
