“ASD is a sloth, ADHD is a monkey, trauma disorder is a sheep” New Book by Japanese Counselor Classifying Neurodivergent People as Animals Sparks Controversy

By Barrier Free Japan, extract from Maidona News via Yahoo! Japan

April 19 2025

TOKYO – A new book that categorizes people suffering from conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, depression, and trauma disorders as animals — and portrays them as “troublesome people in the workplace” — is drawing strong backlash for promoting discriminatory views. The book claims to be packed with “techniques for winning without fighting.”

The book, “Psychological Techniques to Skillfully Handle ‘Difficult People’ in the Workplace,” published by Mikasa Shobo and set for release on April 22, features promotional text on its cover asking, “Why am I always the one cleaning up after that person (editor’s note: referring to the monkey illustration)?” It markets itself as a type-by-type manual for dealing with so-called “lovable troublemakers” in the workplace, including people with ASD, ADHD, trauma-related disorders, autonomic nervous system disorders, depression, menopause-related conditions, adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders, and panic disorders. The book claims to introduce techniques for “winning without fighting” when dealing with these individuals.

The cover illustration shows a sheep hanging its head apologetically in front of a suited man, and a sloth clinging to the outer wall of a company building. According to the table of contents, ASD (autism spectrum disorder) is represented as a sloth, described as “easily angered” and “indifferent to emitting strange odors.” ADHD is depicted as a monkey, labeled with phrases like “desk is basically a trash can” and “steals colleagues’ achievements without hesitation.” Attachment disorder is a rabbit, called a “needy attention-seeker due to lack of affection.” Trauma disorder is a sheep, portrayed as “desperate for recognition, even stealing credit,” and “blaming others for any problems.” Generational gaps are symbolized by a raccoon and described as “those lost in outdated values who can’t adapt to change.”

Other conditions, such as autonomic nervous system disorders, depression, menopause-related issues, adjustment disorders, anxiety, and panic disorders, are grouped as “illnesses,” represented by a dejected zebra and described as “people whose hearts are worn out from trying too hard.”

Japan’s Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities prohibits “unjust discriminatory treatment” and requires businesses to provide “reasonable accommodations” to people with disabilities. Online critics have slammed the book, saying it “treats people with disabilities like animals” and “uses expressions that incite hate.”

The author, Yuko Kanda, is a counselor. According to her books, website, and social media, she describes herself as a “super counselor” with over 35 years and 40,000 cases of experience in counseling people with developmental disorders, Cassandra syndrome, mental health issues, and relationship or parenting concerns. She also runs a support group for people with developmental disorders and their families, as well as those with Cassandra syndrome. Kanda also gives lectures and trainings on developmental disorders and emotional abuse.

Regarding her new book, Kanda has posted on social media, calling it a “guide to dealing with the difficult people around you” and saying, “I hope it proves useful.”