Neurodivergent-Affirming Resources
a list of books, podcasts and other good things to explore
These are some of the books and podcasts that have helped me shift my thinking over the past three years. What they have in common is that they are all based on the experiences of neurodivergent people themselves and take an affirming approach to autism and other forms of neurodivergence. I hope you find something here that inspires you (and feel free to comment below if you have other resources to add).
PODCASTS
The Neurodivergent Woman Podcast
This podcast, hosted by clinical psychologist Monique Mitchelson and clinical neuropsychologist Dr Michelle Livock, is one of the first resources I came across when I was starting to explore whether I was autistic. Reliable and reassuring, it covers topics from diagnosis and burnout to neurodivergent friendships and perfectionism. The two hosts are friends and their conversations are honest and often funny. They have interviewed some great guests too.
Divergent Conversations
Part of what I love about this podcast, which I’ve listened to from the start, is witnessing the developing friendship between the two hosts. Both mental health professionals, both autistic ADHDers, Dr Neff and Patrick Casale share personal examples of neurodivergent experience with nuance and complexity, grounding this in deep understanding and theoretical knowledge. Their wide-ranging ‘divergent’ conversations are, in themselves, examples of autistic communication in action. I’m a particular fan of their awkward goodbyes (highly relatable).
BOOKS
I would recommend anything by Dr Luke Beardon. In particular his recent books What Works for Autistic Adults and What Works for Autistic Children are both useful and accessible introductions. Like most of my favourite books about autism and neurodivergence, his books balance direct, lived experience with a theoretical understanding which, in his case, comes from many years as an academic and practitioner in the field.
Neuroqueer Heresies by Dr Nick Walker
I loved this book because it showed me that, rather than being a fixed identity, autism and other forms of neurodivergence might be better understood as a horizon of possibility and experimentation. Without ignoring the disabling and potentially traumatising effects of being a neurodivergent person in a neurotypical world, Walker uses queer theory to go beyond this, looking to a future where we might increasingly reclaim our lives to their fullest potential. She sees this as a political act. Parts of the book are available for free on her website here: https://neuroqueer.com/essays/
Autistic Masking by Dr Amy Pearson and Kieran Rose
I swithered about including this one since I haven’t actually read it! It was waiting at the reference library for me last week. Then the babysitter cancelled last minute. Then I got COVID. But having seen Amy and Kieran speak about it I felt like I knew enough to want to include it. You can see them talking about the book and autistic masking with Dr Chloe Farahar from Aucademy here:
Neurotribes by Steve Silberman
Though the narrative has changed since this book was published in 2016, it is still a compelling read and a great introduction to the hidden history of autism. It tells a series of moving stories, focusing on autistic scientists, innovators, amateur radio enthusiasts, and Internet pioneers, as well as exploring the problematic ‘disorder’ and ‘cure’ narrative and what this has done to autistic people and their families.
Authoring Autism by Remi Yergeau
Remi Yergeau takes the subject of autistic rhetorics—which sounds kind of dry to me—writes a scholarly text about it, and makes it furious and brilliant. And funny. Essential reading if you want to understand how autistic stories have been told—and by whom—and why the stories of nonautistic academics are often still believed over those of autistic people themselves.
A Different Way to Learn by Naomi Fisher
Clinical psychologist Naomi Fisher has become a voice for those of us who find ourselves unable to access a mainstream education that works for our autistic children. Practical and reassuring, this book is one of the few that recognises school doesn’t work for every child and that, for some neurodivergent children, autonomy and choice in education are a necessity for both learning and the emotional safety that is its prerequisite.
Can’t Not Won’t by Eliza Fricker
Full of Fricker’s brilliant illustrations, this book depicts the impossibility of trying to navigate the education system when it isn’t working for your child. Her illustrations sum up the system’s Kafkaesque machinations and their human cost. Her website is here: https://missingthemark.co.uk
OTHER RESOURCES
Neurobears
This is a course for children exploring their own autistic identity which explains autism—using bears. Made up of a series of bitesize videos, supported by a workbook, it is designed for children to watch with their grown-ups. It provides accurate and neurodivergent-affirming information in an accessible way. We watched it with our 8 year old and it helped us bring autism and neurodivergence into our everyday conversations:
SWAN Scotland
If you’re an autistic woman, girl or non-binary person in Scotland, this autistic-led charity is a very good source of information and support.
Autistic Parents UK
While there are many organisations working to support the parents of autistic children, very few address the needs of parents who are autistic themselves. Thankfully here in the UK we have Autistic Parents UK for information and peer support.
Right, that’s enough for this week. This isn’t meant to be anything like an exhaustive list, just some of my current favourites. If you have any books or resources to add please feel free to do so in the comments section below. I’d love to get some new recommendations.
For now I’m off to watch Return of the Jedi with my son and have a Lemsip. I’ll be back next Tuesday.
I was delighted to hear this week that this newsletter in now included in Dharmastack, a new list here on Substack for Buddhist-inspired newsletters. Started by Maia Duerr at The Practice of Life, this list looks like it includes some real gems. I’m looking forward to exploring it further over the coming weeks. If you want to take a look, you can do so here:
It’s lovely to know people are reading this each week. Thanks for being here. If you know anyone else who might enjoy it, feel free to share:
Thanks very much much for this, and sorry to hear you have Covid. Hope you’re over it soon. Highly impressed you can compile this - I’ve only got hayfever and can’t remember what I’m reading!
Will however mention a couple of poetry collections that tackle ND- kate Fox, The oscillations; and Jen Hadfield, The Stone Age.
And also wondering if poetry is almost by definition neuroqueer?