Autism and ADHD Book Guide - for Children and Young People
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To quote Elle McNicoll, incredibly talented and awesome neurodivergent author, “Every child deserves to see themselves reflected positively in stories…The world needs unapologetically neurodivergent characters.”
In this book guide you will find book recommendations for children about autism, ADHD and neurodiversity, and non-fiction and fiction recommendations for autistic and ADHD tweens and teens. Many of these books have been a source of comfort for me, and I hope that they may be just as valuable to someone else!
Note: I have done my best to check the suitability of these books for different ages, but if purchasing for a child or young person, please research yourself to confirm it is appropriate for their age and understanding.
General Neurodiversity
Wonderfully Wired Brains: An Introduction to the World of Neurodiversity by Louise Gooding and Ruth Burrows
Neurodiversity! What's That?: An introduction to neurodiversity for kids by Nadine Ramina Arthur
Perfectly Norman: A Big Bright Feelings Book by Tom Percival
Dexter! The AMAZING School Dog! by Lucy Plunkett and Sian Bowman
Amazing Me, Amazing You by Christine McGuinness
The Same But Different by Molly Potter and Sarah Jennings
Children - Autism
Being Autistic (and what that actually means) by Niamh Garvey and Rebecca Burgess
The Abilities in Me: Autism by Gemma Keir and Adam Walker-Parker
My Awesome Autism: Helping children learn about their autism diagnosis (The Eddie Series) by Nikki Saunders
When Things Get Too Loud: A Story about Sensory Overload by Anne Alcott
The Autistic Guide to Adventure: Active Pursuits from Archery to Wild Swimming for Tweens and Teens by Allie Mason and Ella Willis
A Day with No Words by Tiffany Hammond and Kate Cosgrove
Too Much: An overwhelming day by Jolene Gutierrez and Angel Chang
The Secret Life of Rose by Jodie and Rose
The Panda on PDA: A Children’s Introduction to Pathological Demand Avoidance by Glòria Durà-Vilà and Rebecca Tatternorth
Leo and the Octopus by Isabelle Marinov and Chris Nixon
My Mummy is Autistic: a picture book and guide about recognising and understanding difference by Heath Grace and Joanna Grace
Ready Eddie Go! The Birthday Party: Finding out about parties with friends! by Nikki Saunders
Children - ADHD
Loud! by Rose Robbins
The Fizzy Brain: a children’s book about neurodiversity written by a 7 year old (with a little help from mum) by Noah Faria and Renata Formoso
The Abilities in Me: ADHD by Gemma Keir and Adam Walker-Parker
My Amazing ADHD Brain: A Child’s Guide to Thriving with ADHD by Emily Snape
The Girl Who Always Could: An empowering tale of the ADHD experience for girls, and the power of self love by Katie Trowse and Tilly Paterson
My Brain is a Race Car: A Children's Guide to a Neuro-Divergent Brain by Nell Harris
Autistic Tweens - Non Fiction
A Different Sort of Normal by Abigail Balfe
Autism, Identity and Me: A Practical Workbook to Empower Autistic Children and Young People Aged 10+ by Rebecca Duffus
Autism, Bullying and Me: The Really Useful Stuff You Need to Know About Coping Brilliantly with Bullying by Emily Lovegrove
The Autism Friendly Guide to Periods by Robyn Steward
Perfectly Weird, Perfectly You: A Scientific Guide to Growing Up by Camilla Pang
The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens by Yenn Purkis and Tanya Masterman
Autistic Tweens - Fiction
A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
Keedie by Elle McNicoll
Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend by Lizzie Huxley-Jones
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
Frankie’s World: a Graphic Novel by Aoife Dooley
Finding My Voice: a Frankie’s World Graphic Novel by Aoife Dooley
Paws by Kate Foster
Boy Underground by Isabelle Marinov
Moojag and the Auticode Secret by N. E. McMorran
Ellen Outside The Lines by A. J. Sass
Can You See Me?: A powerful story of autism, empathy and kindness by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
Do You Know Me?: Expected to fit in, proud to stand out by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
ADHD Tweens - Fiction
The Boy with the Butterfly Mind by Victoria Williamson
Reggie Houser Has The Power by Helen Rutter
Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick
Check Mates by Stewart Foster
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (Book 1): Percy Jackson and The Olympians by Rick Riordan
Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll
TEENS
Autistic Teens - Non Fiction
Queerly Autistic: The Ultimate Guide For LGBTQIA+ Teens On The Spectrum by Erin Ekins
The Spectrum Girls Survival Guide: How To Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon
The Autistic Teen’s Avoidant Eating Workbook by Dr Elizabeth Shea and Tim Stringer
Different Not Less: A Neurodivergent’s Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After by Chloe Hayden
Young, Autistic and ADHD: Moving into Adulthood When You’re Multiply Neurodivergent by Sarah Boon
My Autism Journal by Carly Jones
ADHD Teens - Non Fiction
Scatter Brain: How I finally got off the ADHD rollercoaster and became the owner of a very tidy sock drawer by Shaparak Khorsandi
The ADHD Teen Survival Guide: Your Launchpad to an Amazing Life by Soli Lazarus and Kara McHale
ADHD is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD by Penn and Kim Holderness
ADHD an A-Z: Figuring it Out Step by Step by Leanne Maskell
The Teenage Girl’s Guide to Living Well with ADHD: Improve your Self-Esteem, Self-Care and Self Knowledge by Sonia Ali
The ADHD Workbook for Teen Girls by Catherine J. Mutti-Driscoll
Teens - Non Fiction
Wired Differently: 30 Neurodivergent People You Should Know by Joe Wells and Tim Stringer
Breathe Out: A Creative Guide to Happiness for Teen Minds
The Teen’s Guide to PDA by Laura Kerbey and Eliza Fricker
The Awesome Power of Sleep: How Sleep Super-Charges Your Teenage Brain by Nicola Morgan
The Teenager’s Guide to Burnout: Finding the Road to Recovery by Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker
A Better Day: Your Positive Mental Health Handbook by Dr Alex George and The Boy Fitz Hammond
Teens - Fiction
Something to be Proud Of by Anna Zoe Quirke
Geek Girl by Holly Smale
Afrotistic by Kala Allen Omeiza
Finding Phoebe by Gavin Extence
Underdogs by Chris Bonnello
Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll
On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis
Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings
The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas
The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews
Lover Birds by Leanne Egan
Focused by Alyson Gerber
Your Child is Not Broken: Parent Your Neurodivergent Child Without Losing Your Marbles by Heidi Mavir
Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person: A Parent’s Handbook to Supporting Newly Diagnosed Teens and Pre-Teens by Cathy Wassell
Sincerely, Your Autistic Child: What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity by Emily Paige Ballou
PDA in the Family: Life After the Lightbulb Moment by Steph Curtis
A Different Kind of Parenting: Neurodivergent families finding a way through together by Eliza Fricker
Black Rainbow by Danielle Jata-Hall
Supporting Spectacular Girls: A Practical Guide to Developing Autistic Girls’ Wellbeing and Self-Esteem by Helen Clarke
The Educator’s Experience of Pathological Demand Avoidance: An Illustrated Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance and Learning by Laura Kerbey
The Teacher’s Introduction to Pathological Demand Avoidance: Essential Strategies for the Classroom by Clare Truman
Autism, Identity and Me: A Professional and Parent Guide by Rebecca Duffus
Safeguarding Autistic Girls: Strategies for Professionals by Carly Jones MBE
Of course there is my own book Girl Unmasked: How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life, which I tend to say is suitable for ages 16+, but it depends on the young person and their experiences!
Hopefully there is something on this list that is suitable for yourself or whoever you’re looking for.
I feel so lucky to live in a world where there are books :)
Love, Emily x
GIRL UNMASKED (The Sunday Times Bestseller) is available to order from Amazon and all major bookstores!
https://linktr.ee/girlunmasked.