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.
