Books about autism

Dr Luke Beardon - Autism in Adults

A neuroaffirmative, positive and realistic explanation of autism and how it impacts individual people.  Discussion around the potential pros and cons of receiving an autism diagnosis.  Myth-busting and challenging stereotypes around autism. Practical tips for both diagnosed and undiagnosed adults – to help with navigating education, employment, parenthood and more.

Dr Luke Beardon - Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Adults

An optimistic, realistic and easy to read guide for autistic adults and anyone who loves, lives or works with them.  This book recognises that whilst anxiety is not part of autism, autistic people are at a higher risk of anxiety than the neurotypical population. It offers practical advice and strategies to manage and reduce anxiety in everyday life.

Dr Luke Beardon and Dean Worton (editors) - Love, Partnerships or Singleton on the Autism Spectrum (Insider Intelligence)

Autistic people’s stories, insights and guidance about relationships –  including topics such as: inseparable relationships, surviving break-ups, starting new love affairs – and being contentedly single

Naimh Garvey - Looking After Your Autistic Self. A Personalised Self-Care Approach to Managing Your Sensory and Emotional Wellbeing

Tips designed to help autistic people reduce sensory and emotional stress and to take good care of themselves.

Sarah O’Brien - So, I’m autistic: An introduction to autism for young adults and late teens

Written from the perspective of an autistic advocate, expert by experience and academic, this book is pitched at newly diagnosed autistic teenagers and young adults.  However, the range of topics covered and the clear, informative writing style and format make it useful and accessible for autistic adults of any age – and anyone who wants to be an ally to autistic people (which should be everybody!)

Bex Ollerton aka Schnumn (curator and editor) – Sensory: Life on the Spectrum – an Autistic Comics Anthology

In comic format, this collection of works from autistic artists and experts by experience covers topics such as self-identification, conversational processing, being an autistic extrovert, how to explain autism to others.   It is informative, supportive, entertaining and accessible to those who might otherwise struggle with books that are more text heavy.

Dr Devon Price - Unmasking Autism: The Power of Embracing Our Hidden Neurodiversity

This book explains why so many autistic people need to ‘mask’ –  containing and adapting how they would otherwise naturally act and speak. It also explains why autism is significantly undiagnosed in non-white male populations and why many people in these populations may only come to realise they could be autistic late in their lives.  The book examines masking in depth and combines the latest research plus Dr Devon’s personal experiences and insights. Offering practical exercises and tools to encourage and support unmasking, he argues for radical universal change to bring about a society where every person can thrive without having to change who they really are.

Steve Silberman - Neurotribes – The Legacy of Autism and How to Think Smarter About People Who Think Differently

A groundbreaking account of the history of autism which has fundamentally fuelled a change for the better in how society perceives autism, autistic people and the autistic community.  This is an essential read for any autistic adult and /or anyone who wants to know how and why to be an ally to autistic people.

Samantha Stein - So you think you’re autistic: A workbook for the confused person who’s just trying to figure things out

The title says it all really.  If you have wondered if you could possibly be autistic but are not sure, this book aims to help you make sense of things and work out what to do.  It covers topics such as working out if and how you may possibly fit the autism diagnostic criteria and helps you decide whether or not you might wish to pursue an autism assessment.  Online reviews give this book positive praise for being clear, informative and practical. 

Pete Wharmby - Untypical: How the world isn’t built for autistic people and what we should all do about it

Pete has been a prolific support for fellow autistic people on social media for some years now and his books are proving to be just as invaluable. They are so easy to read and cover all the pertinent points in a way that makes is much easier for neurotypical people to understand the challenges faced by autistic people – and help autistic people to feel validated and understood.

Pete explains how today’s society is set up a largely neurotypical population resulting in autistic people facing ongoing, significant and often debilitating challenges.  His writing conveys humour, compassion and straight talking and is pitched at anyone wishing to better understand and empathise with autistic people – whether they be autistic themselves, or not.  Pete draws upon his lived experience as a late diagnosed autistic person and his experience as an active and longstanding member of the online autistic community.  This lends an important authenticity to how he presents the facts about autism and also to his suggestions on how to make adaptations to better meet the needs of autistic people and create a more inclusive society.

Pete Wharmby - What I Want to Talk About – How Autistic Special Interests Shape a Life

In this book, autistic advocate and public speaker, Pete Wharmby shares his personal insights into how his own interests and hobbies have been a vital, fundamental and influential part of his life.  In doing so he also highlights the challenges that so many autistic people face in their daily lives.  His writing style is clear and shows compassion, humour and realism. As with Pete’s other book ‘Untypical’, this is again a book that will be useful and interesting for autistic people and their allies, alike.