Adulting on the Spectrum

Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent’s Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After by Chloe Hayden

Actor and advocate Chloé Hayden shares her empowering journey as a neurodivergent individual with autism and ADHD. Through personal stories and practical advice, she explores how neurodivergence presents differently in females and offers tips on managing meltdowns, building supportive relationships, and finding inclusive communities. A heartfelt guide for both neurodivergent individuals and allies, this book encourages readers to embrace their authentic selves and create a world where everyone belongs.

Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price

Dr. Devon Price explores the hidden world of masked Autistic individuals, who suppress their traits to fit into neurotypical norms, often at great mental health cost. Blending personal insights, research, and practical exercises, Price highlights the beauty and challenges of Autism, advocating for self-expression, acceptance, and the celebration of neurodiversity. This book offers tools for unmasking and inspires a more inclusive world for both Autistic and neurotypical people.

Our Autistic Lives: Personal Accounts from Autistic Adults Around the World Aged 20 to 70+ by Alex Ratcliffe

This collection shares the experiences of autistic adults across decades, from their 20s to 70s and beyond, showcasing diverse perspectives from various genders, ethnicities, and continents. Each chapter highlights common themes and explores how autism diagnoses (or the lack thereof) have shaped lives over time. By examining the journey of aging with an autistic mind, the book fosters understanding and connections between neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals.

Life and Love: Positive Strategies for Autistic Adults by Zosia Zaks & Temple Grandin

Offers practical advice for autistic adults and those close to them, focusing on living a fulfilling, productive life. The book is divided into two sections: “Life” provides strategies for handling sensory issues, managing careers, and maintaining a home, while “Love” explores relationship dynamics and emphasizes the importance of self-esteem. Written by an autistic adult, it offers valuable insights for navigating life and love with confidence.

Older Autistic Adults In Their Own Words: The Lost Generation by Wilma Wake, Eric Endlich & Robert Lagos

This groundbreaking book is based on original research from a survey of 150 older autistic adults worldwide, offering unique insights into their lives before the advent of support groups, school-based interventions, and autism diagnoses. It includes a brief history of autism, an overview of The Nine Degrees of Autism by Wylie, Lawson, & Beardon, and personal stories from survey participants, making it an essential read for understanding the experiences of older autistic individuals.

Autistic Adults Are Not Okay by Victoria Lin Tanner

This book is a raw, unfiltered cry from an autistic adult at their lowest point, reflecting the struggles of countless others who feel unheard. Written from a deeply personal perspective, it challenges the oversimplified media portrayal of autism and exposes the lack of support for autistic adults, who are often overlooked in favor of resources for children. The author critiques organizations like Autism Speaks and offers a solution to better support autistic individuals, emphasizing the urgent need for meaningful change.

Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn’t Designed for You by Jenara Nerenberg

A groundbreaking exploration of neurodivergent women, including those with ADHD, autism, synesthesia, and sensory processing disorders, revealing why these traits are often overlooked or misunderstood in women. Jenara Nerenberg shares her own journey of discovering her undiagnosed neurodivergence and dives into research that challenges the pathologizing view of “normal” versus “abnormal” brains. Through personal stories and research, the book sheds light on the unique strengths of neurodivergent women and offers a path forward to better support their needs, fostering a society where their gifts can truly flourish.

Self-Care for Autistic People by Megan Anna Neff

Offers over 100 exercises designed to help autistic individuals prioritize wellness while embracing their neurodivergence. Focusing on self-acceptance, destigmatizing autism, and practicing self-love, this book provides practical strategies for managing challenges and highlighting the positive aspects of being autistic. With expert advice from therapist Megan A. Neff, it empowers readers to take care of their physical and mental health without masking or pretending to be neurotypical.

What I Mean When I Say I’m Autistic: Unpuzzling a Life on the Autism Spectrum by Annie Kotowicz

Kotowicz blends memoir and manifesto to offer a personal and insightful exploration of life before and after her autism diagnosis. Through reflections on her own experiences and insights from neuroscience, Kotowicz provides a deeper understanding of autistic thinking, offering hope and guidance for both autistic individuals and those who love them. Drawing on her blog Neurobeautiful, she celebrates autistic brains and invites readers to see the world through a neurodivergent lens.

Unmasked: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence by Ellie Middleton

Ellie shares her transformative journey of discovering her late diagnosis of ADHD and autism, which helped her heal from years of being misunderstood. With the goal of changing how society views neurodivergence, she offers practical advice on mental health, navigating the workplace, and the importance of self-diagnosis. Written in a bite-sized style, this empowering guide helps neurodivergent individuals and allies understand, celebrate, and create a more inclusive world for all.

How Not to Fit In: An Unapologetic Guide to Navigating Autism and ADHD by Jess Joy

A powerful handbook by two late-diagnosed neurodivergent women that explores the challenges and triumphs of navigating life with ADHD and autism. Through real experiences, it tackles the complexities of diagnosis, the gendered nature of neurodivergence, and the struggles of living in a neurotypical world. Offering insights on mental health, relationships, work, and more, this book empowers readers to understand their brains, advocate for accommodations, and confidently embrace their neurodivergent identities.

Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Russell A. Barkley

Adults with ADHD often face challenges with attention, planning, and emotional control, but effective help is available. Renowned ADHD expert Dr. Russell A. Barkley offers practical strategies, self-assessment tools, and skills-building exercises to manage symptoms and improve daily life. This comprehensive guide also provides clear advice on treatments and techniques for overcoming struggles in work, relationships, and more.

You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?! by Kate Kelly & Peggy Ramundo

Offers practical advice for adults with ADD to manage symptoms, reduce challenges, and harness strengths. This guide covers the diagnostic process, strategies for organization and memory improvement, and tips for navigating relationships and work. Widely used by support groups, it provides valuable tools and support for living with ADD.

Dirty Laundry by Richard Pink &. Roxanne Emery

An empowering and witty guide by ADHD_Love duo Rich Pink and Rox Emery, offering insights into navigating life with ADHD. Through personal stories and practical tips, they address common symptoms like impulsivity and financial struggles, promoting self-acceptance and compassion. Whether you’re living with ADHD or supporting a loved one, this book provides tools to destigmatize and thrive.

Order from Chaos by Jaclyn Paul

Offers practical strategies for overcoming disorganization and anxiety, especially for those with ADHD. Blending personal stories and expert advice, it helps readers design personalized systems to manage clutter, unfinished tasks, and missed responsibilities. This guide empowers you to break free from past struggles and create a more peaceful, fulfilling life.

Parenting While Autistic by Wendela Whitcomb Marsh

This book empowers neurodivergent individuals, particularly autistic parents, to embrace the challenges and joys of parenting. It offers practical advice, from managing sensory sensitivities to creating family routines that work for everyone. Through relatable stories, strategies, and insights from autistic parents, it provides the tools and encouragement to navigate parenting with confidence and authenticity.

Relating While Autistic by Wendela Whitcomb Marsh

A practical guide for neurodivergent couples looking to improve communication and build stronger relationships. Packed with evidence-based strategies, conversation starters, and creative date night ideas, it helps couples turn mixed signals into clear connections. Through real-life stories and insights, the book provides tools to navigate challenges and create lasting, meaningful bonds.

Is it My ADHD? by Grace Timothy

A darkly humorous and honest look at life with ADHD, particularly for women and those assigned female at birth. Drawing from her own experiences and expert insights, Timothy busts myths, explores unique symptoms, and provides tools to better understand ADHD. This relatable guide delves into the intersection of ADHD with race, gender, and culture, offering support and clarity for navigating neurodivergence.

Adulting Like a Boss by Cecelia James

This daily workbook is a practical tool for neurodivergent adults to improve executive functioning. Designed with a full page for each day of the year, it helps users track tasks, incentives, and successes while exploring distractibility triggers through journal prompts. Perfect for adults with ADHD or autism, it fosters organization, self-awareness, and confidence.

Self Care for Autistic Adults by Neuro Nurture

This guide offers tailored self-care strategies designed specifically for autistic adults, focusing on strengths while addressing sensory and emotional needs. It provides practical tools for managing sensory overload, building flexible routines, enhancing emotional regulation, and navigating workplace and social dynamics. With interactive exercises and actionable advice, it empowers readers to embrace their neurodiversity and create a fulfilling, personalized self-care routine.