The best books for autistic women

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an autistic female myself and have worked in the field of autism for 20 years. I’ve written several books on the subject of autism, have an MA in Autism and delivered many hundreds of conference presentations (several of which can be found on Youtube). Frankly, I know my stuff as I live and breathe the world of autistic women. I have an autistic daughter, all of my female friends are autistic and I have diagnosed hundreds of females as autistic.


I wrote...

Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum: Understanding Life Experiences from Early Childhood to Old Age

By Sarah Hendrickx, Jess Hendrickx,

Book cover of Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum: Understanding Life Experiences from Early Childhood to Old Age

What is my book about?

The book takes the reader through the entire lifespan of autistic females, from infancy to old age and everything in between, identifying typical characteristics, experiences and a literature review of hundreds of academic papers, all liberally peppered with the words of autistic women, and parents of autistic girls themselves. This 2nd edition is hugely extended and updated from the first, which was published in 2014, and was one of the first books to cover this topic so broadly.

For me, as an autistic woman myself, the words of my peers give an insight into our world as it really is, rather than from the outside. My book shares their stories alongside my own, allowing others like us to find their tribe and self-acceptance.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome

Sarah Hendrickx Why did I love this book?

I loved this book when I first read it. It was ground-breaking at the time by presenting the autistic female world like no one else had done in this way before.

Rudi’s humour and relatable way of writing gave me an insight into what it meant to be an autistic woman. She paved the way for the rest of us writing in this way.

By Rudy Simone,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Aspergirls as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

*Gold Medal Winner in the Sexuality / Relationships Category of the 2011 IPPY Awards*

* Honorary Mention in the 2010 BOTYA Awards Women's Issues Category *

Girls with Asperger's Syndrome are less frequently diagnosed than boys, and even once symptoms have been recognised, help is often not readily available. The image of coping well presented by AS females of any age can often mask difficulties, deficits, challenges, and loneliness.

This is a must-have handbook written by an Aspergirl for Aspergirls, young and old. Rudy Simone guides you through every aspect of both personal and professional life, from early recollections of…


Book cover of Nobody Nowhere: The Remarkable Autobiography of an Autistic Girl

Sarah Hendrickx Why did I love this book?

An extraordinary book written by an extraordinary woman.

Donna’s autobiography shares her often difficult childhood story and her ‘discovery’ that she was autistic at a time when diagnosis for women was uncommon. Her tale is harrowing at times, yet inspiring and so fascinating to learn of her life. A real classic of a book written by an autistic woman.

By Donna Williams,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Nobody Nowhere as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Donna Williams was a child with more labels than a jam-jar: deaf, wild disturbed, stupid insane... She lived within herself, her own world her foreground, ours a background she only visited. Isolated from her self and from the outside world, Donna was, in her words, a Nobody Nowhere. She swung violently between these two worlds, battling to join our world and, simultaneously, to keep it out. Abandoned from all connection to the self within her, she lived as a ghost with a body, a patchwork of the images which bombarded her. Intact but detached from the seemingly incomprehensible world around…


Book cover of The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

Sarah Hendrickx Why did I love this book?

Steph has a way with words, that will make you laugh and cry at the same time.

Her survival guide to therapy takes us on a journey that I entirely identify with – trying to find therapy for all of our ‘problems’ from therapists who don’t really get it. I learned so much (and know now what to do) and enjoyed myself along the way.

By Steph Jones,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"This is the book that would've saved me nine different therapists, decades of self-analysis, thousands of pounds, twelve different doctors and untold amounts of pain, frustration and trauma - in spending a lifetime looking for the right answers in the wrong places I've become an accidental expert."

In this candid, witty and insightful exploration into therapy, Steph Jones uses her professional and lived experiences as a late diagnosed autistic woman and therapist, as well as consulting therapists from across the world and tapping into the autistic community, to create the ultimate autistic survival guide to therapy.

Steph confronts the statistics,…


Book cover of A Little Less Broken: How an Autism Diagnosis Finally Made Me Whole

Sarah Hendrickx Why did I love this book?

This was one of the most honest books I have ever read.

Marian shares her life story with utter candour, from her early life up until her autism diagnosis as an adult. Her anecdotes and tales or faux pas and other social screw-ups are so relatable and she made me want to give her a hug in pure solidarity. I feel your pain, Marian!

By Marian Schembari,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Little Less Broken as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A Little Less Broken: How an Autism Diagnosis Finally Made Me Whole by Marian Schembari is a forthcoming title from Flatiron Books.


Book cover of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Sarah Hendrickx Why did I love this book?

I love this book (and the others in the series). Lisbeth Salander is most kick-ass autistic woman of all time (closely followed by Saga Noren from the TV series, The Bridge).

I found the storyline absolutely gripping, and awful at the same time. I was angered on Lisbeth’s behalf at the treatment she endures, and cheering at how she wins through in her uniquely autistic, logical way. An autistic hero if ever there was one. A truly great book that I re-read over again.

By Stieg Larsson,

Why should I read it?

23 authors picked The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder - and that the killer is a member of his own tightly-knit but dysfunctional family.

He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, truculent computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate. When the pair link Harriet's disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history.

But the Vangers are a secretive clan, and…


You might also like...

Saving Raine

By Marian L Thomas,

Book cover of Saving Raine

Marian L Thomas

New book alert!

What is my book about?

Saving Raine is a captivating tale of resilience, redemption, and the enduring power of love, penned by the acclaimed author Marian L. Thomas.

This contemporary fiction novel chronicles the compelling journey of Raine Reynolds as she confronts heartache, betrayal, and loss. Against the vibrant backdrops of Atlanta and Paris, Raine's story unfolds as she grapples with the aftermath of her husband's infidelity and tragic passing.

Through poignant prose and compelling characters, "Saving Raine" delves into themes of forgiveness, healing, and the strength discovered in confronting life's greatest challenges. Readers will be captivated by Raine's emotional odyssey as she unearths hope, redemption, and the courage to embrace a brighter future.

Saving Raine

By Marian L Thomas,

What is this book about?

Raine Reynolds stands at the crossroads of despair and opportunity.
 
When the life you've built crumbles and the past refuses to release its grip, sometimes you need a fresh start-a new beginning that promises hope and redemption.
 
Once a celebrated author, Raine's life unraveled, sending her fleeing to the picturesque streets of Paris to escape the tormenting heartache that threatened to consume her. Yet, no matter how far she traveled, the pain remained her unwelcome companion.
 
Returning to bustling Atlanta as a senior VP for an ad agency, Raine is forced to confront a city steeped in…


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