Now That’s What I Call a Neurodivergent Book List!
So many excellent books, so little time.
Time that could be better spent procrastinating, scrolling or doodling, right?
I’ve read widely on the topic of neurodiversity so my brain is a wee ND-database. I’ve popped down some of my top picks below (they are in no particular order). Have a browse and see if there is a topic that might be interesting or helpful. If you click on the image, you can pop on across to Amazon and get your own copy. I would offer you a loan of mine but they are covered in post-its, scribbles and coffee drops (as you can see below).
Heads up: I purchased and read all these books for myself, but I’m now a participant in the Amazon affiliate program, so I may earn a commission if you shop through my links. Which I’ll probably use to buy more books.
‘The Smart but Scattered Guide to Success: How to Use Your Brain's Executive Skills to Keep Up, Stay Calm, and Get Organized at Work and at Home’
by Peg Dawson & Richard Guare
Sort-your-life-out factor: 4.5/5
Help the existential crisis: 3/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 3/5
Book cover design: 2/5
‘Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life’
by Anne Bogel
Sort-your-life-out factor: 4/5
Help the existential crisis: 4/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 3/5
Book cover design: 3.5/5
‘The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain’ by Thomas Armstrong
Sort-your-life-out factor: 4/5
Help the existential crisis: 4/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 4/5
Book cover design: 3.5/5
‘The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People’
by Carol Eikleberry and Carrie Pinsky
Sort-your-life-out factor: 4.5/5
Help the existential crisis: 5/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 4.5/5
Book cover design: 3/5
‘Odd Girl Out: An Autistic Woman in a Neurotypical World’
by Laura James
Sort-your-life-out factor: 3/5
Help the existential crisis: 4.5/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 4/5
Book cover design: 3.75/5
‘Looking After Your Autistic Self: A Personalised Self-Care Approach to Managing Your Sensory and Emotional Well-Being’
by Niamh Garvey
Sort-your-life-out factor: 3.5/5
Help the existential crisis: 3.5/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 4/5
Book cover design: 3.5/5
‘The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Survive and Thrive When The World Overwhelms You’
by Elaine N. Aron
Sort-your-life-out factor: 3/5
Help the existential crisis: 3/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 2/5
Book cover design: 2/5
‘Taking Charge of Adult ADHD, Second Edition: Proven Strategies to Succeed at Work, at Home, and in Relationships’ by Russell A. Barkley
Sort-your-life-out factor: 5/5
Help the existential crisis: 2/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 3/5
Book cover design: 2/5
‘Searching for Meaning: Idealism, Bright Minds, Disillusionment, and Hope’
by James T. Webb
Sort-your-life-out factor: 3/5
Help the existential crisis: 5/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 4/5
Book cover design: 2.5/5
‘Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism’
by Barb Cook and Dr Michelle Garnett
Sort-your-life-out factor: 3/5
Help the existential crisis: 3.5/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 3/5
Book cover design: 2/5
‘A Guide to Mental Health Issues in Girls and Young Women on the Autism Spectrum: Diagnosis, Intervention and Family Support’
by Dr Judy Eaton
Sort-your-life-out factor: 3/5
Help the existential crisis: 3.5/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 4.5/5
Book cover design: 2/5
‘Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life’ by Sir Ken Robinson
Sort-your-life-out factor: 3/5
Help the existential crisis: 5/5
Ignorance of external world while reading: 4/5
Book cover design: 3.5/5
Now that’s what I call a B-side!
Here are some less-catchy-but-still-relevant recommendations that you might also find useful to explore:
Exceptional Individuals provide neurodiversity consulting, recruitment and employment support to employers and individuals with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and autism.
Wired Differently provide career coaching, counselling, personal coaching, holistic therapies & advocacy.
Different Joy provides 1-2-1 and group coaching.
Diverse Minds Therapy offers therapy for adults and young people and Cloie says, ‘I specialise in working with various types of neurodivergence and this is an area I am immensely passionate about. Having both personal and professional experience regarding autism, I am familiar with the challenges that come with living in a world that is not always accepting or understanding of the neurodivergent. It is my belief that with neurodivergence comes unique talents, and one of my greatest joys as a therapist is helping empower people to utilise these strengths and to live freely and authentically.’
If you are looking for information to help children and young adults, I have a blog post about this.
If you are interested in making sense of squiggly careers and your sensory needs, I also have written about that.
Unofficial Autism Checklist For Girls breaks beyond the gender stereotypes.
Hopefully that was helpful.
What books and resources did I miss? Reach out and let me know and I’ll add it to my ever-expansive book list.
