Neurodiversity Books recommended by my clients

Books on Neurodiversity and Autism

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

   • Focuses on the concept of "masking" in autism, exploring how autistic individuals hide their true selves to fit into societal expectations. It advocates for self-acceptance and authenticity.

   • Themes: Masking, burnout, mental health, neurodiversity.

   • Controversy: Not much specific controversy but might be critiqued by those who argue against the focus on masking.

     
     

2. Divergent Minds: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed for You by Jenara Nerenberg

   • Explores neurodivergence in general, emphasizing the strengths of people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other conditions, and advocates for a more inclusive world.

   • Themes: Neurodiversity, cognitive strengths, societal accommodation.

   • Controversy: The concept of celebrating neurodivergence may not resonate with all, particularly those with more severe conditions.

     
     

3. Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison

   • A personal memoir of living with Asperger’s Syndrome, offering insights into the challenges and successes of a man diagnosed later in life.

   • Themes: Asperger’s Syndrome, personal growth, social challenges.

   • Controversy: Criticized by some for emphasizing overcoming Asperger's and not fully representing the struggles of all individuals on the spectrum.

     
     

4. The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida

   • Written by a non-verbal 13-year-old with autism, offering personal insights into his inner world and perceptions, often with help from his parents and translators.

   • Themes: Autism, communication, perspective, emotional experience.

   • Controversy: Some critics question whether the book fully represents the author's own thoughts or is influenced by external voices. It has also been critiqued for romanticizing certain aspects of autism.

     
     

5. NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman

   • A comprehensive history of autism and neurodiversity, exploring the social and scientific history of autism and advocating for greater acceptance.

   • Themes: Autism history, neurodiversity, advocacy, social stigma.

   • Controversy: Criticism surrounding the portrayal of historical figures like Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger, whose work has been viewed by some as contributing to the pathologization of autism.

     
     

6. Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin

   • Grandin offers insights into her own experience with autism, focusing on her visual thinking style and how she navigates the world.

   • Themes: Autism, visual thinking, sensory processing, personal growth.

   • Controversy: Criticized for her views on "curing" autism and for suggesting that individuals with autism should strive to be more like neurotypicals. Her emphasis on visual thinking as a defining characteristic is also debated by some.

     
     

7. In a Different Key: The Story of Autism by John Donvan and Caren Zucker

   • A historical look at autism, examining how societal views have shifted over time, with a focus on personal stories, scientific developments, and advocacy.

   • Themes: Autism history, societal perceptions, advocacy, personal stories.

   • Controversy: Some critique the book for focusing heavily on medical perspectives and for not fully incorporating autistic voices in the narrative.

     
     

8. We Are Not Broken by Eric Garcia

   • Advocates for greater acceptance of autism and challenges the notion that autism is something that needs to be "fixed." The book amplifies the voices of autistic individuals advocating for inclusion.

   • Themes: Autism, advocacy, acceptance, neurodiversity.

   • Controversy: Some feel the book's focus on neurodiversity might overshadow the needs of individuals with more severe autism or additional co-occurring conditions.

     
     

Comparative Overview

• Tone and Approach:

  • Unmasking Autism and Divergent Minds focus on the advocacy for greater societal acceptance and understanding of neurodivergent individuals, particularly in how masking and societal pressures can affect mental health.

    
    

  • Look Me in the Eye and The Reason I Jump offer personal, narrative-driven insights into the experience of autism, with the latter being a deeply emotional and reflective account by a young person with autism.

    
    

  • NeuroTribes and In a Different Key take a historical and research-focused approach, providing a deeper look into the development of autism research and societal responses to autism over time.

    
    

  • Thinking in Pictures focuses on one individual’s experience, offering a detailed examination of how visual thinking influences the way Temple Grandin processes the world.

    
    

• Perspective on Autism:

  • Unmasking Autism and Divergent Minds emphasize neurodiversity and the strengths of autistic individuals, while Look Me in the Eye and The Reason I Jump provide more personal, lived experiences, highlighting the challenges and growth that come with autism.

    
    

  • NeuroTribes and In a Different Key focus on the historical treatment of autism and offer critiques of how autism has been pathologized over the years, with an emphasis on advocacy for broader societal change.

    
    

• Practical Advice vs. Personal Story:

  • Unmasking Autism and Divergent Minds offer practical advice on navigating the challenges of neurodivergence in society, with a focus on embracing differences and leveraging them as strengths.

    
    

  • Look Me in the Eye, The Reason I Jump, and Thinking in Pictures are more memoir-based, sharing personal stories and insights without providing as much prescriptive advice.

Disclaimer

It’s important to note that all of these books represent individual perspectives on autism and neurodiversity. Autism is a spectrum, and each person’s experience can vary significantly. The views presented in these books may not reflect the experiences of all autistic individuals, and some ideas may be controversial within the neurodivergent community. For example, certain authors advocate for neurodiversity and inclusion, while others may focus on overcoming challenges associated with autism. Readers are encouraged to explore a variety of perspectives to gain a more comprehensive understanding of autism and neurodiversity.