Autistics, disabled people, allies, parents and carers - which books you should read based on who you are

As an autistic girly with a special interest in reading, I am here at your disposal to recommend you your reading list for 2026. I read over 200 books in 2025 and many of them were on the topics of neurodivergence and disability.

So, whether you are neurodivergent, chronically ill or disabled yourself (or all 3 - lucky you!), or looking to be a better ally for the disabled community (bonus points for the teachers seeking to be better allies), here are my top book recommendations for you.

For the newly-diagnosed autistic:

• "Drama Queen: One Autistic Woman and a Life of Unhelpful Labels" by Sara Gibbs. A memoir from a newly- and late-diagnosed woman coming to terms with her autism diagnosis and looking back over her childhood experiences with a new lens.

• "Unmasked: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence" by Ellie Middleton. A good first read to begin the process of unmasking and embracing your neurodivergent traits.

• "Self-Care for Autistic People" by Dr Megan Anna Neff. An essential guide for all autistic people full of many different ways to enact self care and support your autistic self. This book can be read from cover to cover, or you can pick out specific sections or pages that are most appropriate for you to read and apply.

• "Different, Not Less" by Chloé Hayden. Chloé Hayden's memoir about growing up autistic and also a guide to embracing your wonderful, autistic self.

For the AuDHDer:

• "The Autist's Guide to the Galaxy: Navigating the World of 'Normal People'" by Clara Törnvall. A playful, lighthearted and easy-to-read guide about how to get by in the neurotypical world as a neurodivergent person.

• "Unmasking Autism" and "Unmasking for Life" by Dr Devon Price. A detailed book challenging societies perceptions of autism and the internalised ableism experienced by so many autistic people. These books challenge you to begin the process of unmasking your autism and being a more authentic person.

• "AuDHD: Blooming Differently" by Leanne Maskell. A truly thorough book, part informative and part memoir, narrating the unique experience of living with autism and ADHD, and the many contrasting symptoms.

• "Someone Like Me: An Anthology of Autistic Gender-Diverse and Women Writers" edited by Clem Bastow and Jo Case. A collection of true, short stories depicting different aspects of living as an autistic person, with many very different circumstances and perspectives shown.

• "Looking After Your Autistic Self" by Niamh Garvey. An in-depth guide to understanding your autistic needs and caring for your sensory and emotional well-being.

• "Growing in to Autism" by Sandra Thom-Jones. A guide to growing into your autism, rather than trying to grow out of it. This is especially a good read for autistic adults, especially if diagnosed in adulthood.

For the ally:

• "Unique: What Autism can Teach us About Difference, Connection and Belonging" by Jodi Rodgers. A book full of personal anecdotes of experiences between an autism therapist and her clients. Each true short story highlights a lesson that can be learnt by allies from autistic people.

• "The Autists: Women on the Spectrum" by Clara Törnvall. A shorter read detailing the history of autistic women and the realities of living as an autistic woman in today's society. An eye opening read for autistic people and allies alike.

• "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon. A short fiction book from the perspective of a high support needs autistic boy. Although this is a stereotypical portrayal of autism, this book provides an insight into autistic traits from the first-person perspective of an autistic person.

• "Broken Brains" by Jamila Rizvi and Rosie Waterland. A book comparing the two different life experience of women with "broken brains" - one with brain cancer and chronic illness, and the other with complex trauma. This book specifically displays the judgements from society placed onto people with poor health, whether physical or mental.

• "Say Hello" by Carly Findlay. Carly Findlay's memoir detailing her experiences living with facial difference and the ableism she deals with daily. This book provides clear advice to becoming a better ally for the disabled community.

For the parent/carer of a neurodivergent child:

• "Stop the World I Want to Get Off" by Jodie Clarke. A guide to understanding and supporting the recovery of autistic burnout in children and young people.

• "Thumbsucker" by Eliza Fricker. An illustrated journey through an undiagnosed autistic childhood.

• "Parenting Different" by Sarah Hayden. A book worthy of reading for parents, teachers and all allies, sharing the difficulties that autistic children face and how you can better support them through life.

For the teacher:

• "Under the Radar: An Essential Guide to Autism and Girls" by Emilia Misheva and "ADHD Girls to Women: Getting on the Radar" by Lotta Borg Skoglund. Both short, easy reads specifically looking into the presentation of autism and ADHD in girls. Whilst autistic boys are often identified in childhood (thanks to the portrayal of typical male-like autism symptoms in the media), many autistic girls go unidentified until adulthood, resulting in unique challenges experienced whilst growing up. This is also similar to the experiences of ADHD girls.

• "The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide" by Siena Castellon. Not necessarily a book you must read, but a good one to have available to students. It provides thorough suggestions for looking after yourself as an autistic teenager and also may provide comfort to any female autistic students.

• "Parenting Different" by Sarah Hayden. A book worthy of reading for parents, teachers and all allies, sharing the difficulties that autistic children face and how you can better support them through life.

• "Different, Not Less" by Chloé Hayden. This book highlights the stressful school experiences that many neurodivergent children experience, a reminder why supportive teachers are imperative.

For the disabled person:

• "Stories of Autistic Joy" by Laura Kate Dale. A book focusing on celebrating the joys of being and living as an autistic individual. An uplifting read.

• "Fearless: Finding the Power to Thrive" by Jelena Dokic. Jelena Dokic details the poor mental health challenges she has faced since ending her tennis career and leaving her abusive father. She shares the lowest points of her life, as well as her journey to create a better life for herself. (Trigger warning for domestic abuse and suicide)

• "With What I Have Left" by Melissa A James. A hard read detailing Melissa's life whilst living with a degenerative illness.

• "Growing Up Disabled in Australia" edited by Carly Findlay. An anthology of various experiences growing up disabled in Australia by different disabled people living with different disabilities. Each experience is unique, but there are shared experiences throughout that are often shared by disabled people.

• "Everything is Tuberculosis" by John Green. On the surface, a book about one of the deadliest infections, but also a book highlighting societal perspectives, the shaping of body image standards, and racism and classism.

• "What Katy Did" by Susan Coolidge. A children's classic book that tells the story of a young Katy who unexpectedly becomes disabled and is bed-bound for years. She goes through the challenges of living with disability and learns how important her mindset is.

• "Unwell Women" by Elinor Cleghorn. A detailed journey through women's medical history in a world made for and by men. This is a very eye-opening read and I implore men to read it as well as women.

I read "Say Hello" by Carly Findlay (and was lucky enough to meet her in person and hear her speak) back in July 2025.