Helpful resources for adults, parents, children and young people
Books
General Books About Autistic Experiences and Neurodiversity:
“NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and How to Think Smarter About People Who Think Differently”, By Steve Silberman (2017), Publisher: Allen & Unwin
“Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism”, By: Dr. Barry M. Prizant and Tom Fields-Meyer (2019), Published by: Souvenir Press
“Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking”, By Julia Bascom (2012), Publisher: Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
Books for Parents:
“Autism: How to Raise a Happy Autistic Child”, By: Jessie Hewitson (2018), Published by: Orion Spring
“Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Childhood: For parents and carers of the newly diagnosed”, By: Luke Beardon (2019), Published by: Sheldon Press
“Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person: A Parent’s Handbook to Supporting Newly Diagnosed Teens and Pre-Teens” by Cathy Wassell (2022). Published by: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
“The Strengths-based Guide to Supporting Autistic Children: A Positive Psychology Approach to Parenting” by Claire O Neill (2023). Published by: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Books for Younger Children:
“The Children’s Guide to Autism”, by Fiona Reeves (2015), Publishers: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
“My Awesome Autism: Helping Children Learn about their Autism Diagnosis” by Nikki Saunders (2019). Published by: Independently Published
‘A Kind of Spark’, by Elle McNicholl (2020) (suitable for readers 9+). Knights of Media
‘A Different Sort of Normal’, by Abigail Balfe (2021), suitable for readers 9+. Penguin
Books for Teenagers:
“The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens” By Yenn Purkis and Tanya Masterman (2020), Publishers: Jessica Kingsley
“The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How to Grow up Awesome and Autistic” by Siena Castellon (2020), Publishers: Jessica Kingsley
“So, I'm Autistic: An Introduction to Autism for Young Adults and Late Teens” by Sarah O’ Brien (2023), Publishers: Jessica Kingsley
Autistic Voices and Experiences:
“The Secret Life of Rose: Inside an Autistic Head”, by Rose Smitten and Jodie Smitten (2021), Publishers: Independently Published
“Can you See Me?: A Powerful Story of Autism, Empathy and Kindness”, by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott (2019), Publishers: Scholastic. (Suitable for 9-11 year olds)
“Born on a Blue Day”, By Daniel Tammet (2007), Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks
“The Reason I Jump: One Boy’s Voice From the Silence of Autism”, By Naoki Higashida (2014), Publishers: Sceptre
“Speechless: Reflections from my Voiceless World”, by Fiacre Ryan, (2002), Merrion Press
Autistic Experiences and Mental Health:
“The Guide to Good Mental Health on the Autism Spectrum” by Jeanette Purkis, Dr. Emma Goodall, and Dr. Jane Nugent (2016), Publishers: Jessica Kingsley
“The Parents’ Practical Guide to Resilience for Children aged 2-10 on the Autism Spectrum” by Jeanette Purkis and Emma goodall (2018), Publishers: Jessica Kingsley
“The Parents’ Practical Guide to Resilience for Preteens and Teenagers on the Autism Spectrum” by Jeanette Purkis and Emma Goodall (2018), Publishers: Jessica Kingsley
Links
Post-Discovery Support, Therapy and Coaching
Thriving Autistic One of our partners offering post-discovery workshops for parents of recently discovered Autistic children and teens. They also offer a monthly online meet-up for Autistic adults, and they have a directory of neurodivergent practitioners for adults
Christine Doyle:
One of our partners offering online post-discovery support to recently discovered Autistic adults through various pathways of support. Christine is a late-discovered and neuro-affirming Autistic Psychotherapist and Coach. www.christinedoyle.ie/
Aoife Hughes: Aoife is a late discovered ADHDer and an ADHD coach based in Sligo (and online) providing information and support through online courses, webinars, talks and coaching with parents and adults. https://aoifehughescoaching.com/
Practical Supports
Emily Lees Price is an Autistic SLT. Her website contains wonderful information about supporting Autistic communication. www.autisticslt.com
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a discreet sign that the wearer has a hidden disability. Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to those around your child (e.g. staff, teachers, health professionals, etc.) that they may need additional support, help, or a little more time.
See https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/ to purchase lanyards, etc.
General
Aucademy’s YouTube channel An all-round great video resource, featuring solely Autistic/neurodivergent people
Autistic Self Advocacy Network's YouTube channel Large resource of videos discussing Autistic culture, experience and expression
The Autistic Advocate Kieron Rose’s site, packed full of resources
Dr Monique Botha The powerful writings of Autistic academic Dr Monique Botha
AsIAm is Ireland’s national Autism charity and advocacy organisation: www.asiam.ie
Autistic Not Weird Facebook page and website: www.autisticnotweird.com
Neuropride Ireland is a space where Neurodivergent people, identities and community are celebrated. www.neuropride.ie
Neurodiversity Ireland is a national community that celebrates different brain types and advocates for neuro-affirmative practices in all parts of life:
Foroige is Ireland’s leading youth organisation. They are nationwide and often have Autism specific youth groups. www.foroige.ie
Some short videos about being Autistic
Things not to say to an Autistic person
A fun video of Autistic people discussing their experience of being misunderstood and underestimated in everyday interactions
Why everything you know about autism is wrong
A TEDx talk from Autistic academic Dr Jac den Houting talking about the neurodiversity paradigm
More in-depth discussions about being Autistic
How should the neurodiversity movement shift autism service-provision and research?
Autistic and disability rights activist Ari Ne’eman discusses the neurodiversity movement
Autism and ‘the double empathy problem’
Autistic academic Dr Damian Milton discusses his ‘double empathy’ theory
LGBTQ+
The writings of Dr Nick Walker
Not specifically an Autistic resource, but an excellent source for all things queer, from Dr Meg-John Barker
Short videos
Trans 101: Neurodiversity: Young trans people talking about mental health and neurodivergent perspectives
Does autism present differently in women & girls? What about non-binary Autistic people? Monologue from Neurodivergent Rebel on how gendering autism is problematic.
Autism and gender identity Monologue from Purple Ella
Blogs/Information about Autistic Experiences
Autloud is a multicultural group of Autistic adults living in Ireland who have a blog that aims to “educate, entertain, advocate, and connect”. The blog aims to create a space for Autistic voices to be heard.
The Neuroclastic website has a resource section for parents. See https://neuroclastic.com/category/resources-for-parents/
Practical/Therapeutic Supports
General Training and Resources for Schools and Parents
The Neurodiversity Hub contains lots of resources for primary and secondary school students. Click on the “Students” tab and scroll down for resources.
AUsome training provide training for parents, professionals and teachers that is designed and delivered by Autistic people.
“Learning from Autistic Teachers: How to be a Neurodiversity Inclusive School” edited by Dr Rebecca Wood (2022). Published by: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Need to ask an Autistic person a question?
Twitter is a great place for linking in with the Autistic community. If you ever have a question for the Autistic community on Twitter, you can use #AskingAutistics.
“Ask Autistic Adults” on facebook is a resource for parents of Autistic children where you can ask Autistic adults questions relating to parenting or other Autistic topics
