Teenagers
- What I Mean When I Say I’m Autistic
In this intimate and insightful mix of memoir and manifesto, Annie Kotowicz invites you inside the mind of an autistic woman, sharing the trials and triumphs of a life before and after diagnosis.
- Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/about-autism/
Description of autism and what autistic people may have in common. Aimed at teenagers and adults.
- The Solihull Approach online courses in Understanding Your Brain and Understanding Your Feelings (for teenagers only).
Online courses for emotional health and wellbeing (inourplace.co.uk)
Free online courses for teenagers and parents living in North Yorkshire (use access code NYFAMILIES)
- Autism Understood by Spectrum Gaming
https://autismunderstood.co.uk/
A website about autism, for autistic young people. We have made this website so that everyone can gain a better understanding of what autism is, since most people we meet seem a little confused about what autism actually is.
- The Teens’ Workbook to Self Regulate: Empowering Teenagers to Handle Emotions with Success through Coping Strategies and CBT Exercises
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63899686-the-teens-workbook-to-self-regulate
- Shake It Up! How To Be Young, Autistic, and Make an Impact by Quincy Hansen
https://uk.jkp.com/products/shake-it-up
- Autcraft
https://www.abilities.com/community/autcraft.html
Autcraft is a dedicated Minecraft server designed specifically for players on the autism spectrum, as well as their family and friends.
- Autistic and Gaming
https://www.autisticality.co.uk/autistic-gaming
Info-graphics about neurodivergent people and gaming
- Autism Level UP!
https://www.autismlevelup.com/#about
Website with lots of useful visual tools and resources
- Geek Retreat
Chain of shops and cafes across the UK sharing a love for anything ‘geeky’ from games and superhero movies to anime and sci-fi
- Young Minds
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Whether you want to understand more about how you’re feeling and find ways to feel better, or you want to support someone who’s struggling, we can help.
- The Go To
Welcome to the home of wellbeing and mental health for young people in North Yorkshire. We’re here to help you find the right help and support for you, to help you stay well, whatever is going on in your life.
- Teen Sleep Hub Home
The one stop shop for all you need to know about sleep.
Female and Autistic
- Intinima
Intimina-Autism-Report-V1f.pdf
How people on the autism spectrum experience and manage their periods
- There’s no one way to be autistic – BBC
Video narrated by Sara Gibbs on her experience of autism
- The Secret Life of Rose by Rose and Jodie Smitten
https://www.jodiesmitten.co.uk/book/
In 2021 Jodie Smitten co-authored a book with her daughter, Rose. Each section is written from two perspectives; Rose’s as an Autistic child and Jodie’s as an Autistic adult and parent of an Autistic child. With nearly 300 reviews on Amazon, averaging 4.8 out of 5, they were incredibly touched and honoured that their book has supported so many Autistic children to understand themselves.
- The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon
https://uk.jkp.com/products/the-spectrum-girls-survival-guide
This essential go-to guide gives you all the advice and tools you’ll need to help you flourish and achieve what you want in life. From the answers to everyday questions such as ‘Am I using appropriate body language?’ and ‘Did I say the wrong thing?’, through to discussing the importance of understanding your emotions, looking after your physical and mental health and coping with anxiety and sensory overloads, award-winning neurodiversity campaigner Siena Castellon uses her own experiences to provide you with the skills to overcome any challenge.
- Autistic Girls Network
https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/autism-and-girls/
Information about how autism presents in girls
- The Curly Hair Project
https://thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk/about-us/what-is-the-chp/
The Curly Hair Project (CHP) is an award-winning organisation founded by autistic author and entrepreneur Alis Rowe. CHP resources are used by individuals, families and professionals worldwide.
- Yellow Ladybugs
https://www.yellowladybugs.com.au/
Yellow Ladybugs is an autistic-led, non-government organisation with strong bridges to the community. We are dedicated to the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls and women 1. We believe autistic individuals of all genders deserve to be recognised, valued, accepted and supported in order to realise their full potential.
- Supporting Autistic Girls and Gender Diverse Youth
https://yellowladybugs.com.au/Document/Books
- Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum by Jennifer O’Toole
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35756912-autism-in-heels
Autism in Heels , an intimate memoir, reveals the woman inside one of autism’s most prominent figures, Jennifer O’Toole. At the age of thirty-five, Jennifer was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, and for the first time in her life, things made sense. Now, Jennifer exposes the constant struggle between carefully crafted persona and authentic existence, editing the autism script with wit, candor, passion, and power. Her journey is one of reverse-self-discovery not only as an Aspie but–more importantly–as a thoroughly modern woman.
- A Guide to Mental Health Issues in Girls and Young Women on the Autism Spectrum: Diagnosis, Intervention and Family Support by Dr Judy Eaton
https://help4psychology.co.uk/team/dr-judy-eaton/
This book addresses the specific mental health needs of girls and young women with autism . Looking at the ways autism presents differently in girls than in boys, and the mental health conditions that occur most frequently in girls with autism. There is advice on how to deal with the emotional impact on parents, carers and families, and the challenges they face when negotiating appropriate psychological and educational support.
- Christine McGuinness: Unmasking my Autism – BBC One
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001k31t
In this heartfelt journey of self-discovery, Christine McGuinness uncovers a hidden world of thousands of autistic women who, like her, have been ignored by science and society.n this heartfelt journey of self-discovery, Christine McGuinness uncovers a hidden world of thousands of autistic women who, like her, have been ignored by science and society.elf-discovery, Christine McGuinness uncovers a hidden world of thousands of autistic women who, like her, have been ignored by science and society.
- Holly Smale: “I was diagnosed as autistic at 39” BBC Radio 4
Helena Merriman speaks to Holly about her difficult childhood, short-lived modelling career, traumatic university years – and the day it suddenly all made sense.
- The Autism Friendly Guide to Periods by Robyn Steward
https://autismfriendlyperiods.com/
The book is aimed at Autistic people age 9-16 who will experience periods. The book is designed to be as Autism Friendly as possible.
- What’s Happening to Ellie? By Kate E. Reynolds
https://www.accessebookpages.com/full/what-s-happening-to-ellie/
A book about puberty for girls and young women with autism and related conditions
- Supporting Autistic Girls & Gender Diverse Youth
https://yellowladybugs.com.au/Document/Books
Sexuality and Relationships
- Teenage, Queer and Autistic: Living in Two Closets
- Ambitious About Autism – LGBTQ+
https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/what-we-do/awareness/inclusion/lgbtq
To support autistic young people in understanding themselves and others, we have worked closely with LGBTQ+ autistic young people to produce articles and visual stories, based on their own experiences.
- The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families
https://www.amazon.com/Every-Body-Book-Inclusive-Families/dp/1787751732
Gender
- Mermaids UK
Support for young people questioning their gender.
- Neuroqueer – The Writings Of Dr. Nick Walker
This page includes the writings of Dr Nick Walker who discusses being ‘neuroqueer’
- Max’s Blog on Transitioning When You’re Autistic
https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/blog/transitioning-when-youre-autistic
Max discusses being nonbinary and transitioning as an autistic young person
- Supporting Autistic Girls & Gender Diverse Youth
https://yellowladybugs.com.au/Document/Books
- Autism Q & A: Supporting your Gender-Diverse Youth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=cg_bgpJu4xw
Tips for parents in supporting their child through their self-discovery journey
Autistic Identity and Advocacy
- Growing into Autism
Growing in to Autism eBook : Thom-Jones, Sandra: Amazon.co.uk: Books
- The Autistic Advocate
https://theautisticadvocate.com/
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network
https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/
- Autism Level UP!
https://www.autismlevelup.com/#about
Lots of information about self-acceptance and ideal for young people
- Thriving Autistic
https://www.thrivingautistic.org/
Supports, advocacy, training and more
- Divergent Perspectives: Centring Neurodivergent voices to transform practice
https://www.divergentperspectives.co.uk/infographics
Info-graphics about what if means to be neurodivergent
- Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn’t Designed for You by Jenara Nerenberg
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44285784-divergent-mind
A paradigm-shifting study of neurodivergent women—those with ADHD, autism, synesthesia, high sensitivity, and sensory processing disorder—exploring why these traits are overlooked in women and how society benefits from allowing their unique strengths to flourish.
- Letters To My Weird Sisters: On Autism and Feminism by Joanne Limburg (picture below) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/159379241-letters-to-my-weird-sisters
This heartfelt, deeply compassionate and wholly original work humanises women who have so often been dismissed for their differences, and will be celebrated by ‘weird sisters’ everywhere.
- The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Advocacy by Jennifer Burton & Jenna Gensic
https://learnfromautistics.com/introducing-the-actuallyautistic-guide-to-advocacy/
An in-depth look at the key elements of effective, respectful, inclusive advocacy and allyship. Every topic was chosen, shaped, and informed by #ActuallyAutistic perspectives.
- Untypical: How the world isn’t built for autistic people and what we should all do about it by Pete Wharmby
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61111570-untypical
It’s time to remake the world – the ground-breaking book on what steps we should all be taking for the autistic people in our lives.
- Welcome to the Autistic Community by Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
https://autismacceptance.com/table-of-contents/
This book is about what it means to be a part of the autistic community. Autistic people wrote this book. Some autistic people are just learning about their autism. We wanted to welcome them and give them a lot of important information all in one place.
- What exactly is Neurodiversity?
The neurodiversity movement has been around for some time, but what exactly is it? In this video, we talk about what the neurodiversity movement is and how it’s linked to the autistic community.
- Dr Pooky Knightsmith – resources
https://www.pookyknightsmith.com/
An autistic mum of two sharing her lived-experiences
- Neuroqueer Heresies: Notes on the Neurodiversity Paradigm, Autistic Empowerment, and Postnormal Possibilities by Nick Walker
The work of queer autistic scholar Nick Walker has played a key role in the evolving discourse on human neurodiversity