Books about neurodivergence
A (very) non-exhaustive list of reading for those exploring neurodivergence, whether their own or that of a loved one…
I am often asked by my newly realised, exploring or recently diagnosed neurodivergent coaching clients for reading recommendations related to understanding neurodivergence, so I thought it would be useful to have a permanent place to list some of the books I’m aware of. Most of my clients are ADHD and/or autistic (often with other neurodivergence in the mix, but always with ADHD and/ot autism too) so most of the books here are related to ADHD and autism. There is a lot of lived experience here, as I found it helpful understanding neurodivergence from the inside, as opposed to the pathologising observational descriptions of behaviour by neurotypical researchers which can be found in lots of the literature, especially with regard to autism. I will add to this list as I go and endeavour to do a better job of expanding my reading into dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and Tourettes.
If you’ve found your way here, you might also like to check out my list of resources which includes links to organisations, tools and specialists working with these learning types (again, this is a working and non-exhaustive list).
Away we go…
The Neuroscience of the Developing Child: Self Regulation for Wellbeing and a Sustainable Future (2023) by Dr Mine Conkbayir
All about the science of the developing brain with really useful sections on neurodevelopmental conditions and how to support including sensory strategies - useful for children and adults alike!
The Family Experience of PDA (2021) by Eliza Fricker
A great one about PDA (pathological demand avoidance or persistent desire for autonomy - I like the latter) - aimed at parents who are finiding traditional parenting techniques such as consistency, structure, firm boundaries and routine are - rather than making anything better - making everything feel that bit more difficult. This is a short book which is easy to digest and with very relatable illustrations. Perfect for adults parenting PDA (and perhaps navigating their own desire for autonomy too).
A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity & Self Directed Learning (2023) by Naomi Fisher
How ND young people can learn in an alternative way to the current adult-led way central to mainstream schooling, written by a Clinical Psychologist specialising in working with ND families who understands the challenges and complexity of straddling the medical model and the social model of disability. Highly recommend Naomi Fisher’s work for families.
Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder (2019) by Gabor Mate
A bit controversial this one, as Mate thinks trauma healing "solves" ADHD, it’s also highly repetitive - quite ironic for a book aimed (presumably) at adults who suspect they might have ADHD. I found it useful all the same in understanding some of how ADHD can manifest in adults. Helpful in dispelling the myth of the naughty little school boy who can’t sit still and disrupts the class.
Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed for You (2021) by Jenara Nerenberg
This gathers the experiences of lots of women and covers autism, ADHD, synesthesia, sensory processing and high sensitivity and takes the perspective that we all flourish when we accommodate these differences, ND or not - exactly!
The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills (2022) by Sonny Jane Wise
Helpful workbook for all ND people to help unpick and understand their unique sensory differences and how to communicate what one needs to others
Autistic and Black: Our Experiences of Growth, Progress and Empowerment (2024) by Kala Allen Omeiza
A variety of voices from a breadth of countries, religions, socioeconomic groups and sexualities describing their experience of autism as Black people.
This Is Who I Am: The Autistic Woman's Creative Guide to Belonging (2024) by Andrea Anderson
A wonderful mix of personal experience as a late diagnosed autistic woman, with creative coaching prompts for those exploring their own potential ND identity
Drama Queen: One Autistic Woman and a Life of Unhelpful Labels (2022) by Sara Gibbs
Very entertaining as well as insightful, by a comedy writer who is autistic
Odd Girl Out: An Autistic Woman in a Neurotypical World (2018) by Laura James
Another lived experience memoir about late discovery of autism
This is Dyslexia (2021) by Kate Griggs
Covers everything you need to know to understand, support and celebrate the untapped power of dyslexic thinking in a very digestible format, including practical advice and lived experience.
M Is For Autism & M in the Middle by the students of Limpsfield Grange School & Vicky Martin
A good illustration of the internal experience of teen autist - anxiety, communication and sensory challenges - written in conjunction with a variety of autistic teen girls from the specialist school, Limpsfield Grange. The second is a more detailed book and delves into the experience of the parents.
Wonderfully Wired Brains (2023) by Louise Gooding
Informative and engaging illustrated children’s book explaining autism, ADHD, tourettes, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and more with a strengths and needs based perspective. A lovely neuroaffirming read for parents or educators to share with children and young people.
The Reason I Jump: one boy’s voice from th silence of autism (2021) by Naoki Higashida
A beautiful look into what it is like to be non-speaking, written by a thirteen year old boy.
Stumbling through Space and Time: Living Life with Dyspraxia (2022) by Rosemary Richings
Illustration of what it’s like to live with dyspraxia diagnosis from age 4, this book includes useful insights, experience and practical strategies for those with dyspraxia or supporting a loved one.
Can You See Me? (2019) Do You Know Me? (2020) Ways To Be Me (2021), All the Pieces of Me (2022) by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott
A series of four books for young people which are wonderful in illustrating the internal experience of autism from the perspective of a tween girl.
The Electricity of Every Living Thing (2019) by Katherine May
This describes late diagnosis and the experience of motherhood/marriage as an autistic woman, as well as the awe-inspiring and sometimes overwhelming experience of being deeply connected with one’s natural surroundings.
Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome (2010) by Rudy Simone
Also about late diagnosed women, it has some slightly dubious information and the author now distances herself from ever having been an “aspergirl”. This is interesting to me all the same, as this is quite an old book and the links and cross over with c-PTSD were not understood at the time of writing.
Black, Brilliant & Dyslexic: Neurodivergent Heroes Tell Their Stories (2023) by Marcia Brissett-Bailey
An important collection of voices sharing lived experience at the intersection of Blackness and dyslexia, covering entrepreneurship, the workplace, daily life and education.
Letters to My Weird Sisters: On Autism & Feminism (2022) by Joanne Limburg
Lovely letters to historical figures who the author, a late diagnosed autistic writer, imagines to have been autistic because they were outsiders and misfits.
Empire of Normality: Neurodiversity & Capitalism (2023) by Robert Chapman
Excellent exploration on how the very concept of "normal" - with regard to neurology and anything else at all - is a function of colonial Capitalism.
Neuroqueer Heresies (2021) by Dr Nick Walker
This is seminal reading for understanding the neurodiversity paradigm and beginning to understand links to wider liberatory theory and equity for all identities.
