Recommended literature
Knowledge about neurodiversity
Here you will find our recommendations for good literature on autism and other neurodivergence.
This list is updated regularly and ongoing.
BOOKS
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Chapman, R. (2023). Empire of Normality: Neurodiversity and Capitalism (1st ed.). Pluto Press.
A book dealing with the structural barriers to neurodivergent well-being facilitated by a capitalist social structure. Written by a neurodivergent philosopher and Assistant Professor of Critical Neurodiversity Studies at Durham University in the UK.
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Price, D. (2022). Unmasking autism : the power of embracing our hidden neurodiversity. Monoray.
A really good book on autistic masking, advocacy and identity written by a queer autistic professor of social psychology.
Skoglund, L. Borg. (2021). ADHD Girls to Women. (1st ed.). Pressto.
Danish. A primer on ADHD in girls and women, how it differs from the more familiar presentation in men and boys, and what it means for women's challenges and opportunities. Written by a Swedish female ADHDer and consultant in general medicine and psychiatry. A great resource for both professionals and female ADHDers.
Walker, N. (2021). Neuroqueer heresies : notes on the neurodiversity paradigm, autistic empowerment, and postnormal possibilities (1st ed.). Autonomous Press.
A solid introduction to the neurodiversity paradigm, written in a way that most people can follow, by an autistic professor of psychology
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SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES
These are primarily intended as sources and references for professionals. But if you like to read in academic language, they will be just as interesting for those who want to dive into the scientific literature on neurodiversity. Unfortunately, scientific articles are not always available for free, so some of these will only be accessible through e.g. university access portals.
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Botha, M., & Frost, D. M. (2020). Extending the Minority Stress Model to Understand Mental Health Problems Experienced by the Autistic Population. Society and Mental Health, 10(1), 20–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156869318804297
An important and often cited article that illustrates how autistic people's challenges with mental health disorders (such as depression and anxiety) can be understood as an expression of minority stress as a result of a society that stigmatizes and discriminates against autistic people.
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Mantzalas, J., Richdale, A. L., Adikari, A., Lowe, J., & Dissanayake, C. (2022). What Is Autistic Burnout? A Thematic Analysis of Posts on Two Online Platforms. Autism in Adulthood, 4(1), 52–65. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2021.0021
One of the few articles available on autistic burnout, how it can be characterized and what causes it. The primary author is a parent of autistic children and there are two autistic researchers on the team that wrote the article.
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Milton, D. E. M. (2012). On the ontological status of autism: the “double empathy problem.” Disability & Society, 27(6), 883–887. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2012.710008
The original article which describes the now well-known double empathy problem; the phenomenon that communication problems between autistic and neurotypical people are not due to a flaw in the social skills of autistic people, but that both autistic and neurotypical people are challenged by having to communicate across neurotypes. Written by an autistic researcher who, at the time of writing, had not yet identified as autistic.
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Pellicano, E., & Houting, J. (2022). Annual Research Review: Shifting from ‘normal science’ to neurodiversity in autism science. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 63(4), 381–396. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13534
Great introduction to the neurodiversity paradigm as it relates to autism research and understanding. Must read for autism professionals. One of the authors, Jac den Houting, is herself autistic and a researcher.
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Shaw, S. C., Carravallah, L., Johnson, M., O’Sullivan, J., Chown, N., Neilson, S., & Doherty, M. (2023). Barriers to healthcare and a ‘triple empathy problem’ may lead to adverse outcomes for autistic adults: A qualitative study. Autism : The International Journal of Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613231205629
Article written by a team of autistic physicians that examines the practical and structural barriers that can prevent autistic people from accessing healthcare. A must-read for healthcare professionals who encounter autistic people in their practice
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